These Pumpkin Steamers will warm you on a cold, autumn day. The drink is rich and creamy with flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
A local cafe and bakery and Starbucks carry a pumpkin steamer drink around this time of year, and they are delicious, but can get a little pricey when everyone in the family wants one! From what I can tell, they also use a pumpkin flavoring, not pure pumpkin. You can really taste the difference.
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This recipe uses real pumpkin. You can use 100% pure pumpkin from a can or you puree your own from a cooked pumpkin. My son described it this way, “This is so good! It’s like I’m drinking pumpkin pie!” That may not sound too appetizing, but if you like pumpkin pie, you will LOVE this drink. It is so flavorful and comforting. I highly recommend you make up a batch on Halloween night to keep your trick-or-treaters warm and toasty.
When you are making this recipe, you can play with the balance of milk and heavy cream, or even try half and half depending on how creamy you like your hot drinks. I like the balance of the 2% milk with some heavy cream. I tried this recipe the first time with straight 1% milk, trying to stay on the healthy side, but the consistency and flavor of the drink were too weak. If you are serving this drink at a party and want to keep it warm to serve, it can be kept heated in a slow cooker for a long period of time. Be sure to stir it often because the spices will settle at the bottom.
Pumpkin Steamers
- 3 cups milk 2% or whole
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 100% pure pumpkin
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tsp vanilla
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon
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Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Blend until smooth and frothy.
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Pour into a large pot and heat on medium high, stirring constantly until warmed through.
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Pour into mugs, and top with whipped cream.
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Sprinkle cinnamon on top of cream.
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Makes 4 servings
Health Benefits of Pumpkin
There truly are great health benefits that come from eating pumpkin – and this Pumpkin Steamers drink uses real pumpkin. Pumpkin can be used in a lot of different recipes. My favorite pumpkin recipes are desserts, of course, but pumpkin is also very good in soups and casseroles. A couple of my favorite pumpkin recipes to make in the fall are Dinner in a Pumpkin and Pumpkin Cobbler. Pumpkin has a squash-like taste and texture, and adds a lot of flavor to recipes. It’s worth giving it a try to get the boost of vitamins and antioxidants pumpkin provides. Here are just a few of the health benefits of eating pumpkin:
- Better Eyesight – One cup of cooked pumpkin contains more than 200% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A. Vitamin A aids vision, especially vision in dim lighting.
- Weight Loss – One cup of cooked pumpkin has 3 grams of fiber and only 49 calories! This makes you feel a little better when you eat that slice of pumpkin pie, right? Fiber makes you feel fuller longer, so you eat less.
- Possible cancer and wrinkle prevention – Like carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, pumpkin is loaded with beta-carotene. According to the National Cancer Institute, beta-carotene may play a role in cancer prevention. Health Magazine also reported that the carotenoids in pumpkins can also help keep skin wrinkle-free.
- Energy – Pumpkin contains more potassium than bananas! Potassium restores electrolyte balance after a workout and keeps muscles functioning at their best.
Janet says
These look delicious. I could use one now 🙂 Pinned.
Cheryl says
This sounds wonderful. Does it keep in the refrigerator for a few days? I’m the only one in my household who would drink it but don’t think I want to drink 4 cups in one day:) Thanks for sharing.
Echo says
Hi Cheryl, Yes, it will keep for a few days in the fridge. You will just want to make sure you stir it very well before pouring out a cup to reheat. Enjoy! It is delicious!
joyce says
do ou have to use heavy cream too
Echo says
You don’t have to use heavy cream. It will taste really good and it be really creamy if you do. You can substitute half and half or add more whole milk, or even skim milk. It will change the richness and even the taste of the drink some, but it will still have the delicious flavor of the pumpkin and the spices. Good question. Thank you for asking!
Sabrina S.B. says
nice, love that you’re using the real thing! The flavoring definitely has a “flavoring” aftertaste that gives it away as artificial, also good idea to serve it in a slow cooker and finally, good to know which milk fat works best, thank you for all for all of this!
Favorite Family Recipes says
You are very welcome! Glad you liked it!
Ginger says
I made this today and it was yummy.