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What Is Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam?
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam is a light, frothy topping flavored with pumpkin pie spices and a hint of vanilla, poured over their cold brew coffee. The result is a dessert‑like but refreshing drink—a perfect autumn treat from your fridge. Many fans love the sweet‑spiced foam floating on top of smooth, cold coffee.
With this recipe, you can replicate the flavors and texture, no barista skills required!
Why Make It at Home?
Save Money
A grande Starbucks version can cost around $5 – 6. Making your own at home costs just cents per serving, especially if you have pantry staples like milk, pumpkin purée, and cold brew on hand.
Customize to Taste
Control the sweetness, spice intensity, and foam density—make it lighter or richer as you prefer. You can tailor it to dietary needs: use plant‑based milk, sugar‑free sweetener, etc.
Convenience
Skip the line—this comes together in about 5 minutes. Perfect for mornings or mid‑afternoon cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam
½ cup heavy cream or high‑fat milk (dairy or non‑dairy alternative like oat creamer or almond creamer if you want plant‑based)
2 tablespoons pumpkin purée (just plain pumpkin)
1 – 2 tablespoons simple syrup or sweetener of choice (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or mix ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cold Brew Base
1 cup cold brew coffee (store‑bought or homemade)
Ice cubes
Optional Add‑Ins
Pinch extra cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish
A swirl of cinnamon‑dulce syrup for added sweetness
Sugar‑free or vegan versions: use sweetener and plant‑based milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. How to Make Cold Brew (Homemade Shortcut)
If you don’t have cold brew ready, here’s an easy way:
Coarsely grind ¾ cup coffee beans (about 60 g).
Mix with 3 cups cold filtered water in a large jar or pitcher.
Stir, cover, and refrigerate for at least 12 hours (overnight is best).
Strain through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or coffee filter.
Store the concentrate in the fridge—dilute with water or milk when serving (about 1:1 ratio or to taste.)
For a quicker method, brew strong hot coffee and chill it—but the cold brew method yields smoother, less acidic result.
2. How to Prepare Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam
Chill your mixing bowl and whisk (or frother) ahead of time for better foam.
In a bowl or blender, combine:
½ cup heavy cream (or high‑fat milk/creamer)
2 Tbsp pumpkin purée
1–2 Tbsp simple syrup (add gradually; taste)
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Whisk vigorously by hand, use an electric mixer, or use a handheld frother until the mixture is thick, frothy, and piping hot foam forms (about 30–60 seconds). It should double in volume and hold peaks.
Taste and adjust: more spice, sweetener, or pumpkin as desired.
3. Assembling the Drink
Fill a glass about ⅔ full with cold brew coffee over ice.
Slowly spoon or pour the pumpkin cream cold foam on top (it floats!). Fill to top.
Dust lightly with additional ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
Stir gently, sip slowly, and enjoy the creamy foam blend.
Tips & Variations
For Plant‑Based / Lighter Versions
Use full‑fat canned coconut milk whipped or plant‑based creamer in place of heavy cream.
Use oat‑based coffee creamer or soy creamer.
Substitute simple syrup with honey, maple syrup, agave, or sugar‑free sweetener.
Variation Ideas
Maple Pumpkin Cold Foam: Replace simple syrup with maple syrup for added richness.
Spiced Mocha Version: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder into foam and swirl a little dark chocolate syrup into the cold brew.
Pumpkin Chai Cold Foam: Mix chai concentrate into your base drink in place of the pure cold brew.
Make‑Ahead Tips
Store cold brew in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge.
Pumpkin foam is best fresh, but you can prep separately and store in fridge for up to 1 day, whisking again briefly before using.
Serving Suggestions
Serve in a clear glass so you can appreciate the layered effect: dark coffee base and light pumpkin foam top.
Garnish with a mini cinnamon stick, a few whole nutmeg flecks, or a pumpkin wedge slice for presentation.
Pair with fall treats: pumpkin muffin, ginger snap cookies, or spiced loaf cake.
Health & Nutrition Notes
A typical homemade version made with heavy cream and sugar syrup contains around 200–250 calories, depending on servings and sweetener.
For lower-calorie versions:
Use unsweetened almond or oat milk creamer: around 70–100 calories per serving.
Reduce simple syrup or use sugar-free sweetener to cut additional calories.
Skip heavy cream and use lighter dairy alternative.
This recipe contains no pork, no bacon, no wine, and no alcohol, making it fully suitable for most dietary restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of plain pumpkin purée?
A: It’s not recommended. Canned pie filling contains sweetener and spices already, so it’s harder to control sweetness and flavor. Stick to plain pumpkin purée.
Q: Can I make this with a regular milk frother or milk foamer?
A: Yes! Electric frother or handheld frother works well. Just use chilled ingredients and froth until thick and foamy.
Q: How long will the cold foam hold?
A: It holds best for 5–10 minutes before it starts to deflate slightly. Serve immediately after preparing. You may re-whisk briefly if it sits too long.
Q: What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
A: Combine ¼ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves and ginger to approximate the spice blend. Adjust to taste.
Q: Can I scale the recipe?
A: Absolutely! This recipe makes enough foam for one tall or grande‑sized drink. For more servings, multiply ingredients. Whisk in batches or use a blender for larger volumes.
Q: Is this safe for vegetarians/vegans?
A: For vegetarian: yes. For vegan: use plant‑based cream or creamer, plant‑based sweetener, and ensure your cold brew is free of dairy.
Final Thoughts
Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam is more than just a seasonal beverage—it’s a cozy fall experience in a glass. By making it at home, you save money, customize flavor, and enjoy the indulgent frothy treat whenever you want.
Whether you’re a cold brew lover or a pumpkin spice fan, this recipe bridges them beautifully: spiced pumpkin cream foam floating atop bold, chilled coffee. And it’s versatile—low‑calorie, vegan, or indulgent versions, your choice.
So grab your heavy cream or plant‑based creamer, pumpkin purée, and get whisking! It’s the perfect DIY fall drink—just like Starbucks, but yours. Enjoy!
