Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Grounds (Easy Fall Flavored Coffee Recipe!)
How to Save Money This Fall With Homemade Pumpkin Spice Flavored Coffee You Can Brew at Home.
“There’s something so comforting about the smell of pumpkin spice coffee brewing first thing in the morning. It fills the whole house with fall before you’ve even poured your first cup.” – Julie, Our Beautiful Choas.
Hi! I’m Julie, a military spouse, mom of three, and the blogger behind Our Beautiful Chaos.
If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know that most of what I share comes from real life in our home. Busy days, military family life, feeding my boys safely, and finding ways to still put good, comforting food on the table without spending my whole day in the kitchen.
In our family, dairy-free living isn’t a choice or a trend. It’s something we navigate every single day because one of my boys has a life-threatening dairy allergy. That means everything I make has to be safe, but it also has to feel normal, filling, and something everyone actually enjoys eating!
That’s why I care so much about recipes like this one. They make it possible for all of us to enjoy the same food together, without worry.
As much as I love a fancy coffee shop drink, those little stops on busy mornings really do add up. Between school runs, errands, appointments, church, sports, and shuttling my three boys all over the place, it’s incredibly easy to convince myself that grabbing a coffee while
I’m already out is no big deal. Then I look back at the end of the week and realize we’ve spent close to a hundred dollars on coffee alone. I’d much rather put that money towards groceries, family activities, or even Christmas savings.
That’s what inspired me to start making my own flavored coffee blends at home. I still get all those cozy seasonal flavors I look forward to every fall, but for a fraction of the cost. Better yet, I can brew a whole pot whenever I want instead of waiting until I’m out running errands.
One of my favorite little gifts this year came from my friend Mona over at Far From The Farm, who shared her incredible homemade WinCo copycat pumpkin pie spice blend with me.
It’s become a staple in my pantry, and it completely transformed my homemade coffee. Combined with rich dark roast, smooth caramel coffee, and a little extra cinnamon, it creates the most delicious pumpkin spice coffee that honestly smells every bit as good as the expensive coffee shops.
The best part might actually be the smell. As the coffee brews, the whole house fills with warm pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and caramel. It makes even an ordinary weekday morning feel cozy, especially once September arrives and all I want to do is throw on a comfy sweater and pretend the weather has cooled down!
If you’re looking for dairy free recipes for military families, you’ll know I love sharing simple ways to make life a little easier without spending a fortune. Almost everything I use comes straight from our commissary on base, making recipes like this realistic for other military families too.
While this is a dairy-free recipe itself, it also pairs perfectly with all of our favorite dairy-free creamers and breakfasts, making those busy mornings feel just a little more special.
Once you’ve made one batch, you’ll probably find yourself keeping a jar on the counter all fall long. It also makes a lovely homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, friends, or anyone who gets excited when pumpkin spice season finally rolls around.
Now let’s head into the kitchen and make this wonderful fall coffee blend together!
Sneak Peak!
Here is a quick glimpse of the recipe!
Our Beautiful Chaos – Recipe Disclaimer
All recipes are shared as a guide based on what works in my home kitchen. Results may vary.
It is your responsibility to check all ingredients for allergies, intolerances, or dietary needs before cooking. Our Beautiful Chaos is not responsible for any reactions or outcomes from the use of these recipes.
Nutritional information is an estimate only.
– Julie from Our Beautiful Chaos
Equipment
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- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Airtight storage container or mason jar
- Whisk or large spoon
- Coffee scoop (optional)
- Standard drip coffee maker
Ingredients
Makes approximately 16 pots of coffee in a 12-cup coffee maker
- 2 cups dark roast ground coffee
- 2 cups caramel ground coffee
- 1/4 cup pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Measure the Coffee
Pour the dark roast coffee and caramel coffee into a large mixing bowl.
Using two different coffees gives you a richer flavor than using just one alone. The dark roast provides that bold coffee flavor while the caramel coffee adds a subtle sweetness that works beautifully with the pumpkin spice.
Step 2: Add the Fall Spices
Add the pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon to the coffee grounds.
Step 3: Mix Everything Together
Using a whisk or large spoon, gently stir the mixture until the spices are completely distributed throughout the coffee grounds.
Take your time with this step. You want every scoop of coffee to contain a little of those warm autumn spices.
The finished mixture should be one even color with no pockets of cinnamon or pumpkin spice hiding in the bowl.
Step 4: Store
Transfer the flavored coffee grounds into an airtight container or mason jar.
Store it in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight.
For the freshest flavor, use within 2 to 3 months, although it’s usually gone long before then in our house!
Step 5: Brew
For my large 12-cup coffee maker, I use 4 tablespoons of the homemade pumpkin spice coffee mixture. It works out about approx 1 1/3 tbsp of the flavored coffee grounds mixture per 4 cups of water.
Brew exactly as you normally would.
As it brews, your whole kitchen starts filling with warm cinnamon, caramel and pumpkin spice. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite smells of the entire year.
Pour yourself a mug, add your favorite dairy-free creamer if you’d like, and enjoy every cozy sip.
Notes
- This recipe works best with ground coffee, not whole coffee beans.
- I like using a combination of dark roast and caramel coffee because it gives the finished coffee plenty of depth without tasting overly sweet.
- Feel free to use your favorite dairy-free creamer after brewing if you like a creamier cup.
- Make sure your spices are fresh. Older spices lose much of their aroma and won’t give you that rich pumpkin spice flavor.
- Store your coffee in an airtight container away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight to help preserve the flavor.
- This recipe doubles beautifully if you’d like to make extra for holiday gifts.
- I use 4 tablespoons for my 12-cup coffee maker, but you can adjust the amount slightly stronger or weaker depending on your own taste.
Troubleshooting
The biggest reason is usually stale spices. Pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon lose their strength over time, so using fresh spices makes a huge difference. Also make sure you’re mixing the spices thoroughly throughout the coffee grounds so every scoop contains an even blend. It’s very easy to make your own Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice so you can always have some on hand! Here’s the video below for the recipe I use from Mona over at Far From The Farm!
A bitter cup is almost always caused by over-brewing rather than the coffee blend itself. Try using slightly cooler water if your machine allows it, avoid leaving coffee sitting on the warming plate for hours, and don’t use more coffee grounds than your machine recommends.
The caramel coffee is meant to add a gentle sweetness in the background rather than a strong caramel flavor. If you’d like a sweeter blend, increase the caramel coffee slightly or use a flavored dairy-free creamer after brewing.
Absolutely. The recipe still works with four cups of your favorite ground coffee. The caramel simply adds another layer of cozy fall flavor, but the pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon still create a delicious homemade autumn coffee on their own.
Yes. Since the spices are lighter than the coffee grounds, they can naturally settle a little during storage. Simply give the container a gentle shake or stir before measuring out your next pot.
Freshly brewed coffee naturally gives off the strongest aroma. Using fresh spices and storing your coffee properly helps preserve those wonderful fall scents. Many people also find that grinding whole coffee beans just before mixing creates an even more fragrant blend.
Yes! I do this reguarly as you can make coffee in smaller batches easily. This flavored coffee blend isn’t limited to drip coffee makers. Simply use the same coffee-to-water ratio you’d normally use for your preferred brewing method.
Storage
- Store the flavored coffee grounds in an airtight container, mason jar, or coffee canister in a cool, dry cupboard.
- For the freshest flavor, enjoy within 2 to 3 months.
- Avoid storing the coffee in the refrigerator or freezer, as condensation can introduce moisture and affect both the flavor and freshness.
- Give the container a quick shake before each use to redistribute the spices.
Serving Ideas
- Dairy-free vanilla creamer
- Dairy-free caramel creamer
- Oat milk or almond milk
- Homemade Copycat Eggo Waffles (Dairy-Free and Freezer-Friendly!)
- Warm cinnamon toast
- Dairy-free pumpkin muffins
- Apple cider donuts
- Fresh banana bread
- Homemade cinnamon rolls
- Fall brunch boards
- Thanksgiving breakfast spread
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?!
- Saves money compared to buying coffee shop drinks
- Ready in just a few minutes
- Uses only four simple ingredients
- Makes your whole house smell like fall
- Perfect for busy mornings
- Stores for months
- Makes a thoughtful homemade holiday gift
- Easy to customize with your favorite coffee blends
- Pairs perfectly with dairy-free breakfasts
- Cozy enough to enjoy from September right through the holidays
FAQs
Simply combine ground dark roast coffee, caramel ground coffee, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon in a large bowl until evenly mixed. Store the mixture in an airtight container and use it just like your regular ground coffee whenever you brew a pot.
When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, homemade flavored coffee grounds stay at their best for around 2 to 3 months. For the freshest flavor, avoid exposing the coffee to heat, moisture, or direct sunlight.
Absolutely. I love combining dark roast with caramel coffee because it creates a rich, cozy flavor, but you can use your favorite medium roast, breakfast blend, or even decaf if that’s what your family enjoys.
Yes. If you don’t have caramel coffee, simply use four cups of your favorite ground coffee instead. The pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon still create a wonderfully cozy fall flavor all on their own.
I find that a bold dark roast paired with a caramel-flavored coffee gives the nicest balance of rich coffee flavor and warm fall spices. Dark roast helps the pumpkin spice stand out without tasting weak or overly sweet.
For my large 12-cup drip coffee maker, I use 4 tablespoons of this homemade coffee blend. If you prefer a stronger cup, simply add a little more next time until you find your perfect balance. It works out about approx 1 1/3 tbsp of the flavored coffee grounds mixture per 4 cups of water.
Yes! This blend works beautifully in a drip coffee maker, French press, pour-over, percolator, or reusable coffee pod. Simply use the amount of coffee you would normally use for your preferred brewing method.
Definitely. This is one of my favorite inexpensive homemade gifts during the fall and Christmas seasons. Simply spoon the coffee into a pretty mason jar, add a ribbon and handwritten label, and you’ve got a thoughtful gift for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, or coffee-loving friends.
For our family, absolutely. One specialty coffee here and there doesn’t seem like much, but when you’re buying several every week it can easily add up. Making this blend at home gives me those same cozy fall flavors while saving a significant amount of money over the course of the season.
We love adding vanilla oat milk creamer, caramel almond milk creamer, or simply a splash of unsweetened almond milk. The homemade coffee blend already has plenty of warm flavor, so it doesn’t need much else.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Grounds (Easy Fall Flavored Coffee Recipe!)
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk or large spoon
- Airtight storage container or mason jar
- Coffee maker or French Press
Ingredients
- 2 cups dark roast ground coffee
- 2 cups caramel ground coffee
- 1/4 cup pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the dark roast coffee and caramel coffee to a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon.
- Stir well until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the coffee grounds.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container or mason jar (an old coffee container works great).
- Store in a cool, dry cupboard.
- For a large 12-cup coffee maker, use approximately 4 tablespoons of the flavored coffee blend (approx 1 1/3 tbsp of the flavored coffee grounds mixture per 4 cups of water).
- Brew as you normally would and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Fresh spices produce the strongest flavor.
- Shake or stir the container occasionally during storage to redistribute the spices.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Makes a wonderful homemade fall or Christmas gift.
- Delicious with your favorite dairy-free creamer.
Related Recipes
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The Takeaway
This homemade pumpkin spice coffee blend has become one of my favorite little fall traditions. Mixing up one big batch takes just a few minutes, but every morning afterwards feels just a little cozier.
The combination of dark roast coffee, caramel coffee, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon creates a rich, warming flavor that fills the whole house while it’s brewing. Best of all, it gives me those coffee shop flavors I love without the weekly coffee shop price tag!
What To Make Next?!
Share & Rate This Recipe!
If you gave this Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Grounds recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you thought! Leave a quick star rating and comment below, and let me know what your favorite fall coffee pairing is.
And if you know another coffee lover who’s trying to save a little money this autumn while still enjoying all those cozy seasonal flavors, don’t forget to share this recipe with them!
