Douse your angry mob torches because no worries… We’re not rushing summer. We’re the kind of people who try to savor every season. Even to the point that we’re kind of the psychos against Christmas before Thanksgiving in the decor department types. Sorry not sorry.
Even though school is in, we aren’t ready… #stillhavetofigureouthowtoclosethispool – I think we’d like to enjoy everything a little longer whilst actually living in the house. I mean, where did the time go?
But then part of us is admittedly ready. Because we’ve been outside most of the summer months while we work on our house, and because we hear Nashville has really amazing fall seasons. We’re ready for boots and leaves and we want to see what it’s like here… our kids don’t really even know what snow is. But mostly, we think that’s about us just being ready to be in our house. Have we mentioned we want to be in our house? So we thought it would be perfect to share this little post, to help us all gear up. Because it’s not time. But this is still kinda fun. Maybe.
Fine. It’s too early. I just like coffee.
And pumpkin spice all the things.
The other afternoon, we had some friends coming over and decided to create a little something cold weather-esque for the season.
Around here, we survive on coffee. It’s how we roll.
We usually like it with a little milk and a little honey.
But we decided to spice it up a little… with some pumpkin spice, to be precise.
It is so. Delicious.
Here’s what you’ll need for the perfect impromptu treat:
•Your favorite strong brewed coffee • pumpkin pie spice • pure vanilla extract • pumpkin puree • white sugar • milk • heavy cream • cinnamon • whip cream
Brew your favorite coffee on strong. {We recently dumped the Keurig, and man… did we miss that full pot of coffee!}
While your coffee is brewing, in a medium sauce pan:
• Heat 2 tbsp pumkin puree and 1 tbsp pumpkin spice.
• Let it heat for about 60 seconds and whisk it as it heats.
• Then add 1 cup milk + 1 cup heavy creamer + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon + 1 tbsp vanilla.
• Whisk it and bring it a boil. Boil for a couple minutes and then turn off the heat.
Now top it with cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Because it’s purdy and we’re fancy like that.
We were feeling extra artsy, so decided to make a little grouping of hand-painted mugs to go along with it. Here’s what we used:
• Plain white mugs {we found some fun, different shapes at Target} • Deco Art Glass pens {we found gold at the local craft store} • rubbing alcohol and paper towels {for mistakes} • baking sheet + oven
We even included these little stickers we grabbed up at the dollar bin, that you could use as a template. We played around with a few ideas, and then decided to go with the all over pattern approach. It’s great for a fun, eclectic feel.
Simply draw whatever patten you want. If you mess up, no worries… the ink needs 8 hours to cure before baking, so you can easily use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol for mistakes.
We say go with the hand-drawn quirky look, since with a slick surface and free handing it, there’s no way to get something absolutely perfect. That was the fun in it all!
{Make sure all your stickers are removed from the bottom of the mugs before baking!}
Once your ink has had time to cure {we let ours sit overnight} per the pen’s instructions, preheat the oven to 375. Here’s the important part: let your mugs acclimate to the oven inside while it preheats. That way they don’t crack. When it’s fully preheated, let it bake for 40 minutes. When it’s finished, turn the oven off and let the mugs sit in said oven until completely cool.
When finished, pull them out and… tada! A fun little set that kind of looks like ya got them at Anthro or some cool indy store… if you ask us. ;}
You could set up a coffee bar and let your friends take one home… or give them as gifts, or do these with your kids, or use them for teacher’s gifts with a set of tea inside…
The possibilities are kind of endless.
And we never get tired of the scribble-mindlessly-on-glass-surfaces craze. It was pretty relaxing.
As always let us know if you try this little recipe and treat of handmade mugs!
Such a fun little yummy project.
Have an inspired day!
Marci @ Rainbow Nest says
Wow, love the mugs, I think I’ll have to thrift some white mugs to try, I’ve had one of these pens for a while now and haven’t tried it yet. And the Pumpkin Spice creamer is just the thing I need on this rainy fall day!
Sherry Guitard says
Love this! I have been looking for a recipe for pumpkin spice coffee! I LOVE coffee, but it doesn’t love me so I have recently made the switch to decaff. I have really been missing my flavoured coffees, and I can’t have the flavoured whiteners due to an allergy. This is perfect!
Casey says
These mugs are so fun!
Samantha @ Place in Progress says
I love these mugs and totally plan to make some with my sister next time she visits!
Quick question, do the mugs need to say “oven safe” on them? Or will any mug do? Thanks for the cute idea and can’t wait to try this out š
ashley @ the handmade home says
what we used were standard porcelain mugs – microwave and dishwasher safe – oven safe may be hard to find in actual labeling and the others worked for us. Hope that helps!
Jessica says
So how much of the creamy pumpkin spice mixture do you add to the coffee? Do you treat it just like regular flavored creamer?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Jessica! Just to taste- like a regular creamer! We make some ahead of time and it keeps for a bit in the fridge- just shake in a bottle or stir well. And for a special splurge- whipped cream sends it over the top! ?
Jessica says
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to try it! š
Beth M. says
Just wait! Franklin in the fall is unbelievable! Pumpkinfest and pumpkin patches are my favorite! Our Keurig broke last year and we went back to the regular coffee pot too. Oh how I love that full pot of coffee!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
We can’t wait!
Anna says
Fun post! Thanks. I like anything coffee and mugs and DIY design/art.
So after the concoction is heated, do you just add to hot coffee to taste? Or is there an amount you recommend? I know kind of a silly, obvious question. I just wondered if there is a ratio of coffee + mixture that is ideal.
Thanks again for a relaxing post. Somehow it was like a nice break from what I’m doing at the moment. : )
I’m super inspired to make these kind of mugs with kids this fall and beyond.
Anna says
Oops… I just saw the answer in a comment. Sounds good!