It’s October, the season of all things pumpkin, including the increasingly popular Pumpkin Spice Latte. I remember when said lattes were a specialty of a certain Seattle-based coffee company. Since their start 9 years ago, they’ve sold over 2 million. They rolled out the new awesomeness right after we moved back from Asia, almost as a GIFT for us! But now you can buy one at a travel center gas station, in the machine at the hospital, or under the Golden Arches. It’s just not the same. Or is it?

But because I truly love my blog readers, I want to share the cinnamon spicy facts I’ve uncovered in my quest for my Pumpkin Spice Latte of choice this year. After all, with so many choices and only two months before coffee shops take down swap posters for Gingerbread and Peppermint varieties, I can’t afford to waste latte-tunities. I don’t want you to waste yours either. So here are the sweet facts.

Compare Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Starbucks – 16 oz for about $4.50

• with Nonfat milk: 330 calories
• with 2% milk: 380 calories
• with whole milk: 410 (Started 9 yrs ago, has sold over 2 million)

McDonald’s – 16 oz. for about $2.89

• only made with Whole milk: 340 calories

Panera Bread – 13.25 oz for about $3.99

• made with 2% milk for 390 calories (no other choices I can find)

Dunkin Donuts – 16 oz for about $3.27

• with skim milk: 260 calories
• with whole milk: 330 calories
• no 2 % option

Einstein Bros Bagels – Hmmmm ….. can’t find their info anywhere. Maybe it’s too bad to tell.

Do you have a favorite you would add?

And may I say that I really like my own Pumpkin Spice Latte in a decaf variety (so my hands don’t shake) and with skim milk (yes, still with a bit of whip)? I just can’t take it full sweetness, full fat, or full caffeine. Then I wouldn’t save any of my pumpkin quota for one of my favorite fall recipes. Check out these pumpkin options that might just find a place on your fall table.

Some favorite fall pumpkin recipes 

• Jell-O Pumpkin Spice Pudding
• Pumpkin biscuits
• Pumpkin Soup & Apple Cider Croutons
• Pumpkin Cobbler
• Favorite Pumpkin Bread
• EZ Pumpkin Muffins
• Pumpkin Petros
• Candy Corn and M&M Snickerdoodles
• Pumpkin Dip
• 5 Treat Trail Mix

So will I see you at Starbucks this October? Dunkin Donuts? McDonald’s?  Look for me by the window. I’m the girl blogging with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in her hand. 😉

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