Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

With crisper days, stormier nights and the colours of leaves changing all around us, you definitely know that summer is behind us and winter is not far off.  In my heart I am a summer girl, but there is something comforting about the sighs and smells of autumn days.

As much as I love my warm summer days, I do look forward to one of my all-time comforts: curling up under a cozy blanket with my pups to a good book and the soothing aromas of pumpkin spice wafting throughout my home.  From candles to lotions to the smell of a delicious pumpkin pie baking in the oven, I can't seem to get enough. 

---

I used to make pumpkin butter in my Instant Pot all the time and add it to my yogurt or coffees, but it never got to the consistency I wanted.  Tasty, for sure, just never thick enough.  So when I got my Thermomix, I found a recipe in the integrated digital cookbook for Pumpkin Butter.

Cookidoo® is probably one of my favourite features of the TM6 because it's the largest digital cookbook in the world and it's build right into the machine, easily accessible via WiFi.  Not only that, I can do my weekly meal planning, create my own recipe collections, and create my own shopping list, thanks to such an easy touch screen set up.  But, I digress!

---

Well, this Pumpkin Butter was a clear winner. It was fairly thick and smooth.  Most of the butters you find elsewhere are loaded with sugar and they are high in carbs, but not this one.  I replaced the regular brown sugar with Sukrin Gold, an all-natural low-calorie alternative to brown sugar with an aroma, sweetness, flavour and texture of brown sugar. 

I've been making this aromatic mixture on a weekly basis and keep it in a mason jar for easy access.  I love to add a spoonful to my goat milk yogurt, but it has become a regular addition to my morning coffee.

What?!?  Pumpkin Spice Americano for a fraction of the cost of going to Starbucks, let alone healthier and tastier?  Sign me up!

---

How to make my Pumpkin Spice Americano

1. ​​​​​Brew 2 shots of espresso and add to your Thermomix mixing bowl, along with about 1 cup of hot water and 1 Tbsp Pumpkin Butter.
2. Select the Kettle mode and heat to 100ºC (212ºF)
3. Optional - add 20g of cacao butter to make this a bulletproof-style coffee.
4. Select the Blend mode and blend for 30 seconds on speed 8.
5. Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.  

---

The fact that I can use my Thermomix as a kettle, mixer, food processor and to simmer and thicken foods makes it that much more versatile and magical; and that's not all!  I'd love to share more about how this amazing kitchen appliance can rock your world too.  Let's chat!