5 Minute Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Joy

Oh, that first crisp day of fall just hits differently, doesn’t it? Suddenly, every thought leads straight to a cozy sweater and that iconic coffee shop fragrance. Well, my goal here at Carla’s Cooking is to bring that joy right into your home, no drive-thru lines necessary! I’m talking about replicating that unbelievably rich and perfectly spiced pumpkin cream cold brew. Trust me, once you taste this homemade version, you won’t go back. My grandmother always said food and drinks should feel like a little act of love, and this simple recipe delivers that feeling for your morning routine! If you love that festive flavor, you should also check out my recipe for a classic Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat Recipe.

Why You Need This Homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe

If you’re anything like me, those coffee shop runs can empty your wallet fast, especially when you’re craving your fall favorite! This recipe pulls through for you in three major ways:

• Save Your Pennies: Seriously, making this at home is so much cheaper than paying café prices every day. Think about it—you can make several of these for the price of one!
• Instant Gratification: Who wants to wait in traffic? We are talking about mixing up that luxurious topping in about five minutes flat. Hello, convenience!
• Flavor Control: I promise my version tastes just as good, if not better. You get that perfect, creamy pumpkin spice flavor without any weird stabilizers. It’s pure, delicious fall goodness!

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Gathering Ingredients for Your Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Okay, this is where the magic starts! Even though this is a quick beverage, it relies on having the right quality ingredients. Don’t substitute the heavy cream if you want that café texture, promise me that! I learned that the quality of your spice blend really shines through here, so use a fresh container if yours has been hanging around since last year’s baking season. Remember, we’re focusing on two main parts: the rich topping and the bold coffee underneath.

For the Creamy Pumpkin Cold Foam Topping

This little powerhouse is what makes the whole Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe famous. You’ll need:

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (This is key for structure!)
• 1/4 cup milk (Use whatever you usually keep on hand, dairy or oat works!)
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (Make sure this is 100% pure pumpkin, not pie filling!)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (Do not use granulated sugar here; it won’t dissolve right!)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cold Brew Coffee Base

Since the foam is so rich, you need a very strong coffee base to cut through it. You can find tons of tips if you need to brew your own, but for speed, I usually just grab my favorite concentrate. You’ll need:

• 2 cups strong cold brew coffee, thoroughly chilled
• 1 cup ice cubes

If you want to get deep into making cold brew coffee from scratch, I’ve got a whole guide on that, but today we are focusing on getting that drink whipped up! If you want to look at my favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat Recipe for another fall favorite, that link is right there for you!

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

This is the fun part, and honestly, it’s so straightforward! I always tackle the topping first because you want it ready to go the second the coffee is poured. If you try to make the foam while the coffee is brewing or waiting for ice to chill, you might end up with a sad, thin layer. We are aiming for luxurious here! If you want to see a different but equally cozy recipe, take a peek at my Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat Recipe.

Creating the Homemade Pumpkin Cold Foam

Grab a medium bowl—the deeper the better so you don’t splatter pumpkin spice everywhere! Toss in the heavy cream, milk, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, spice, and vanilla extract. Now, pull out your electric hand mixer or frother. I learned the hard way that if you try to hand-whisk this, you’re going to have a sore arm and mediocre foam! Beat it on medium-high speed. Keep going until it thickens up beautifully, looks airy, and just starts holding soft peaks. Stop whipping as soon as that happens; we don’t want butter!

Assembling Your Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Time to build this masterpiece! First things first: fill a tall glass with lots of ice cubes. Next, pour in your chilled, strong cold brew coffee over the ice. Make sure you leave a little gap—about an inch—at the top because that foam needs a landing zone! Finally, this is crucial for the aesthetic, gently spoon that beautiful, thick homemade pumpkin cold foam right over the top. Finish it off with a tiny dusting of extra pumpkin pie spice. It tastes amazing and looks exactly like the version you love from the cafe. For more coffee wisdom, you can check out this great tip on making cold foam!

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Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam Consistency

Getting that thick, dreamy texture for your topping is the secret sauce to the best pumpkin cream cold brew. Honestly, almost every troubleshooting issue comes down to two things: temperature and equipment. If your foam is turning out way too thin or runny, check your ingredients!

First up, make sure your heavy cream is genuinely cold when you start whipping. Warm cream just won’t incorporate air properly; it tends to turn soupy instead of fluffy. That’s just science, I tell ya! Secondly, if you are using a hand whisk, you really have to commit, but I highly recommend using an electric hand mixer or even a dedicated milk frother. That little gadget makes achieving those soft peaks a breeze! It speeds up the whole process so you don’t over-whip the mixture by accident.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe

I want you to feel totally confident making this, so let’s talk about those little tweaks we can make without ruining the magic. Remember how I said the heavy cream is the backbone? If you’re trying to make a slightly lighter version of the pumpkin cream cold brew topping, you can swap out about half the heavy cream for half-and-half. Just watch your whipping time, because it won’t get quite as stiff!

Also, if you made too much cream topping? Good news! You can store the leftovers. Just pop any unused pumpkin sweet cream into an airtight container and keep it chilled. It’ll be ready for your next coffee fix. Check out my Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat Recipe if you need another cozy fall dessert to use up the rest of that pumpkin puree!

Making Starbucks Copycat Cold Brew at Home: Coffee Base Hacks

Okay, we spent all that time making the incredible topping, so we absolutely cannot ruin it with weak coffee. For that true Starbucks Copycat Cold Brew vibe, you need something punchy. The cold brew should be strong enough to stand up to that thick, sweet pumpkin cream. If you’re short on time—and let’s be honest, who isn’t on a Tuesday morning?—grab a high-quality cold brew concentrate. Just dilute it according to the bottle instructions until it’s intense enough for you.

If you do have the time to brew fresh, make sure you use a coarser grind than you would for hot coffee, and let it steep for at least 12 hours. This gives you that smooth, low-acidity flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices. For more ways to replicate coffee shop favorites, take a peek at my Quick and Easy English Muffin Pizza—sometimes you just need savory after all that sweet caffeine! For more inspiration on getting that classic look, I loved these tips from this article on achieving that perfect iced coffee aesthetic.

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Serving Suggestions for Your Iced Pumpkin Coffee at Home

Now that you’ve mastered making this incredibly Creamy Pumpkin Spice Coffee, you need the perfect companion! Because the pumpkin cream cold brew itself is so decadent, I find it pairs perfectly with something lighter. We don’t want to overwhelm the palate!

My absolute favorite thing to grab when I make this is a plain, slightly crisp croissant—the buttery layers contrast the spice so nicely. If you’re leaning toward something sweet that supports the fall theme, you must try my Moist Cinnamon Swirl Apple Bread with Vanilla Glaze. The apple and pumpkin actually complement each other beautifully! Enjoy that cozy moment; you earned it!

Storing Leftovers of Your Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Topping

This is the downside of making a small batch—sometimes you only want half a drink! The assembled iced coffee is definitely best enjoyed right away; that foam melts quickly, and nobody wants a watery pumpkin drink. But good news: the leftover pumpkin cream topping stores really well!

Just funnel any extra topping into a small, airtight container. You can absolutely keep it chilled in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready for your next fix—say, tomorrow’s morning pumpkin cream cold brew—give the foam a quick, gentle whisk or a quick buzz with a frother to bring back its airy texture before spooning it on top!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Seasonal Coffee Drink

I know you might have a few questions swirling around before you dive into making this fantastic Iced Pumpkin Coffee at Home. It’s totally normal! I put together answers to things I always wonder about when trying a new, exciting beverage like this copycat recipe.

Can I make the pumpkin cream without heavy whipping cream?

That’s a great question if you’re watching your fat intake! While heavy cream gives you that perfect, cloud-like stabilization, you have options. You can absolutely use all half-and-half, but be warned: the foam will be much less stable and might deflate quickly. For a dairy-free option that works surprisingly well, try using a can of full-fat coconut cream (the thick stuff from the top). It whips up beautifully, though it might lend a slight coconut flavor to your pumpkin sweet cream recipe. It’s a trade-off, but worth it for a dairy-free treat!

How do I get the foam thick enough for my pumpkin cream cold brew?

Oh, the thickness! This is where the real fun begins. Remember how I stressed using cold ingredients? That’s rule number one. If your cream and milk are straight from the fridge, they’ll whip up faster and hold that air better. Rule number two is using a decent tool. A sturdy electric hand mixer on medium-high speed is my go-to for that Homemade Pumpkin Cold Foam. If you’re using a handheld frother, just be sure to keep the wand immersed correctly and whip for a good minute or two longer than you think you need to. You want those luscious, soft peaks! Nothing ruins an aesthetic coffee recipe like foam that sinks instantly.

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Is this recipe sweet enough, or should I add more sugar?

I formulated this recipe to mimic that balanced sweetness you get at the coffee shop, but honestly, taste is personal, isn’t it? The two tablespoons of powdered sugar really work well with the strong spices, preventing it from tasting like candy. If you find you prefer a much sweeter drink—maybe you’re used to an extra pump of syrup—go ahead and add another teaspoon of powdered sugar to the foam mixture. It dissolves instantly! But try it first the way I wrote it; sometimes the spiced flavor hits just right without extra sweetness. If you want to explore more about my methods, you can always read more about me here.

Estimated Nutritional Data for One Serving

I always try to keep things simple in the kitchen, and that includes keeping track of nutrition! Since this is such a rich treat—hello, heavy cream!—it packs a comforting punch. For one serving of this Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, here are the estimated numbers we are looking at:

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Protein: 4g
• Sugar: 25g

Now, just a quick note from my kitchen to yours: these numbers are based on my usual ingredients. If you use a different type of milk or sweetener, those values might shift a little bit. But really, this is a seasonal indulgence, and it’s totally worth it!

Share Your Cozy Autumn Drinks Creation

I truly hope this recipe helps you kick off your fall season right! There is nothing better than seeing you all enjoying these cozy drinks. Once you pour that beautiful foam over your cold coffee and snap that perfect picture, please tag me on social media! I absolutely love scrolling through and seeing all your amazing results.

If you made this copycat and felt like it earned five stars, please drop a rating right down below the recipe card—it helps other home cooks find their new favorite ritual. And if you’re looking for even more simple, joyful recipes for everyday meals, don’t forget to browse my full collection over on the main blog page!

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Recipe

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Make the popular Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at home with this easy recipe. You will create a rich, spiced pumpkin cream topping for your cold coffee base, replicating that favorite fall drink cheaply and conveniently.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 0 min
• Total Time: 5 min
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Mixing/Frothing
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups strong cold brew coffee, chilled
• 1 cup ice cubes
• For the Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam:
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Cold Foam: In a medium bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, milk, pumpkin puree, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
2. Whip the mixture: Use an electric hand mixer or a milk frother to beat the mixture until it becomes thick, airy, and holds soft peaks. This creates your homemade pumpkin cold foam.
3. Assemble the Drink: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.
4. Pour the cold brew coffee over the ice, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
5. Gently spoon the prepared pumpkin cream cold foam over the top of the cold brew.
6. Garnish: Sprinkle a small amount of extra pumpkin pie spice over the foam before serving immediately.

Notes

• If you do not have an electric mixer, you can vigorously whisk the cream mixture by hand, but it will take longer to achieve the proper foam consistency.
• For a slightly lighter topping, substitute half of the heavy cream with half-and-half.
• If you are making cold brew coffee from scratch, plan for at least 12 hours of steeping time.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 25
• Sodium: 30
• Fat: 30
• Saturated Fat: 18
• Unsaturated Fat: 12
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 28
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 4
• Cholesterol: 90