-- Tasty Dish's -- Not-So-Hot Pumpkin Pie Steamer for 2
--Tasty Dish-- last week requested a "pumpkin steamer" and I quickly threw this together. Success, yay! Note: This recipe will also work with rice milk, soy, almond milk, etc. if you want to go the dairy-free route. Skip the honey for a vegan version and use another alternate sugar. Happy Thanksgiving!

Total time
7 min
Servings
2
Calories
118.3
Category
Beverages
The Not-So-Hot Pumpkin Pie Steamer is a cozy, cafe-style beverage designed to replicate the comfort of autumn pie in a mug. Perfectly balanced with a blend of traditional English pudding spices and aromatic pumpkin notes, this frothy, kid-friendly treat comes together in just seven minutes.
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings
- 12 -16 milk
- 1 pumpkin pie spice
- 2 mixed spice
- 2 Mixed Spice - Traditional Old Fashioned English Pudding Spice
- sugar
- honey
- pure vanilla extract
- cinnamon sticks
- nutmeg
Method
On low or medium-low heat, warm the milk, honey and Pumpkin Pie Spice or English Mixed Spice on the stove for a few minutes, stirring to melt the honey (or dissolve the sugar) completely. {{Warning!}}: If preparing for children, don't heat the milk too hot or it will burn their mouths!
Remove pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Carefully transfer the liquid to a blender and blend on high speed for at least a full minute or until the milk is light and frothy. You could also use a stick/immersion blender to froth the milk, if you prefer however yet another {{warning}}: *make sure your pot is deep enough or the hot milk will splatter*.
Pour into two fancy tea cups and garnish each with a small cinnamon stick and a *light* sprinkle of nutmeg. ~Tasty~ likes to use her whole cinnamon stick as a straw!
Cook's notes
- To achieve the signature café-style foam without a professional espresso machine, blend your milk on high for at least sixty seconds to incorporate enough air for a thick, velvety texture.
- When using an immersion blender to froth the milk directly in the pot, ensure you use a deep-walled saucepan to contain the hot liquid and prevent unwanted kitchen splatters.
- The specific addition of English Mixed Spice provides a deeper, more complex warming profile than standard pumpkin spice alone, bridging the gap between baking spice and holiday custard.
- Always temperature-check the milk before serving to children; it should be warm and comforting rather than steaming, as the frothing process can sometimes disguise a dangerous heat level.
Easy swaps
- Instead of Honey, use Maple syrup or agave nectarUse these vegan alternatives to maintain the liquid consistency while ensuring the recipe remains entirely plant-based.
- Instead of Milk, use Oat milkOat milk provides the creamiest mouthfeel and best froth stability among plant milks due to its higher natural starch content.
- Instead of Sugar, use Coconut sugarAdds a subtle caramel-like depth that pairs exceptionally well with the nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.
- Instead of Mixed Spice, use Allspice and ground gingerIf you cannot source English Mixed Spice, a simple blend of allspice and ginger replicates the flavor profile of traditional pudding spices.
Frequently asked
Can I use a handheld milk frother instead of a blender?
Yes, a handheld whisk frother works well if you warm the milk first, though it may take slightly longer to reach the same level of micro-foam as a high-speed blender.
What is the best way to keep the cinnamon stick straw from sliding?
The cinnamon stick is intended to act as a garnish and a stirrer; if you want it to stand upright, use a slightly shorter, thicker stick that rests against the side of the tea cup.
Why is it important to stir in the vanilla extract after removing the pan from the heat?
Vanilla extract is alcohol-based and highly aromatic; adding it off-heat preserves the delicate floral notes that would otherwise evaporate if boiled.
Is there a specific milk that froths best for this recipe?
Barista-edition plant milks are formulated with stabilizers that hold the foam structure longer, making them ideal for this steamed beverage.
You might also like
More Beverages →
Beverages5.0Agua Fresca De Papaya
Beverages5.0Angelina (Mexican Shirley Temple)
Beverages4.5