Pumpkin Spice Gone Wild

It’s that magical time of year again. Hello, Fall. It’s when the air gets crisp, the leaves start crunching underfoot, and suddenly everything you eat or drink seems to come in one familiar flavor: pumpkin spice.

What started as a cozy latte at Starbucks over 20 years ago has exploded into a full-blown seasonal obsession. From cookies and cereals to popcorn, pretzels, and even dog treats, pumpkin spice has managed to sneak its way into just about every aisle of the grocery store.

U.S. pumpkin-spice/pumpkin-flavored product sales topped $1.1 billion in 2023 and are projected to explode to $2.2 to $2.4 billion by 2031–2032.

Love it or laugh at it (that would be me), there’s no denying that this autumnal superstar has become a cultural phenomenon. I think half the fun is spotting just how wild and sometimes downright weird the products have gotten.

Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

2 cups milk (whole, oat, almond, or your choice)
2 Tbsp pumpkin purée (canned works best for consistency)
1–2 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste; or use maple syrup)
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or your DIY blend)
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup strong hot coffee or 2 shots of espresso
Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon (to sprinkle on top)

Directions

Make the pumpkin milk base: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, pumpkin purée, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Heat until hot, but do not boil.
Blend for creaminess (optional): To mimic Starbucks’ froth, pour the hot mixture into a blender and blend for 20–30 seconds until frothy. (Or use a milk frother.)
Combine with coffee: Divide the hot coffee or espresso into two mugs. Pour the pumpkin milk mixture over each.
Top it off: Add whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin spice or cinnamon.

Tips & Variations

Make it stronger: Use three shots of espresso if you prefer a bolder flavor.
Sugar swap: Maple syrup gives a deeper fall flavor than plain sugar.
Iced version: Chill the pumpkin milk base, pour over ice, and add cold brew instead of hot coffee.

Dairy-free: Oat milk or almond milk froths beautifully.

When you think of pumpkin spice, of course, Starbucks comes to mind. But if you hit the grocery stores, no place has embraced the pumpkin spice trend more than Trader Joe’s. TJ’s is well-known for its variety of pumpkin spice items. Some no longer exist, such as pumpkin rolls, pumpkin spiced K-cups, pumpkin tea, pumpkin spiced hummus, and others that didn’t make the cut this year.

Here are some of this year's Trader Joe’s pumpkin spice products. Be sure to double-check with your local stores, since availability can vary.

Dessert/Bakery Items

Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake
Pumpkin Brioche Twist
Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix
Pumpkin Loaf
Pumpkin Sugar Cookie Dough
Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s Cookies
Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Pumpkin & Spice Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix

Breakfast Items

Pecan Pumpkin Oatmeal
Pumpkin O’s Cereal
This Pumpkin Walks Into a Bar…Cereal Bars
Pumpkin Overnight Oats

Beverages

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
Non-Dairy Pumpkin Oat Beverage
Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Misc.

Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin Spice Teeny Tiny Pretzels
Pimpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Pumpkin Bisque
Pumpkin Ravioli
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ravioli
Pumpkin Pie Spice (the spice blend)
Pumpkin Maple Bacon Flavored Dog Stuffies (pet treats)

The pumpkin spice craze isn't limited to Starbucks and Trader Joe’s. There are plenty of other foods that have a pumpkin spice twist. Some sound delicious. Others, at least for me, sound disgusting and leave me shaking my head.

Weird / Wild Pumpkin Spice Food Items (and oddities)

Pumpkin Spice Spam
Pumpkin Spice Pringles
Greenies Pumpkin Spice Dog Treats
Cedar's All-Natural Pumpkin Spice Hummus
Pumpkin Space Twinkie
Peep’s Pumpkin Spice Chicks
Jet‑Puffed Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows
LesserEvil Organic Pumpkin Spice Popcorn
Bonne Maman Pumpkin Spice Spread
Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Pumpkin Spice Cereal
Tate’s Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate
Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce
Special K Pumpkin Spice Cereal
Red Vines Pumpkin Spice Twists

Using Pumpkin Flavors

Maybe you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own pumpkin-spiced creations. Here are some things you need to know:

Fresh Pumpkin (from a whole pumpkin) is the flesh scooped out of a whole pumpkin (usually sugar or pie pumpkins, not jack-o’-lantern carving pumpkins). It’s slightly more fibrous, with a lighter, earthier flavor than canned puree. Flavor can vary a lot depending on the pumpkin itself.

Best uses:

Roasted and mashed for savory dishes (soups, risottos, roasted veggie sides).
Cubed or chunks in stews and curries.
Pureed into smoothies if roasted and cooled.

Canned Pumpkin Purée is pre-cooked, mashed pumpkin (often a blend of squashes like Dickinson pumpkin, which has a denser texture and richer color).. It’s smooth, thick, consistent, and naturally sweeter than whole pumpkins.

Best uses:

Baking (pies, breads, muffins, pancakes) because of consistent moisture and flavor.
Pumpkin spice lattes or desserts where uniform texture is key.
Quick weeknight cooking when you don’t have time to roast fresh pumpkin.

Pro Tip: Unless a recipe specifically calls for roasting fresh pumpkin, most professional bakers and recipe developers rely on canned purée for reliable results.

Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice Blend

You can also take things to the next level by making your own pumpkin spice blend. So, skip the store-bought jar. This DIY mix is fresher, customizable, and usually cheaper.

Pumpkin spice may come and go with the season, but its impact lingers long after the last latte has been sipped. Whether you’re a die-hard fan who stocks up on pumpkin butter and cereal bars or a casual sampler who laughs at the wilder creations (looking at you, pumpkin spice Pringles), there’s no denying this flavor has become a cultural touchstone of fall. So grab your cart, embrace the cozy vibes, and let pumpkin spice make your autumn a little more deliciously over-the-top.