Autumn in cafés has its own unmistakable aroma – cinnamon, pumpkin, caramel and freshly brewed espresso. It’s the time when customers look for warming drinks and desserts that combine sweetness with a hint of spice. The autumn vibe is linked mostly with coffee drinks, but not exclusively. Discover how to prepare the iconic pumpkin latte enriched with creamy soft serve ice cream and discover that pumpkin spice latte can be the starting point for creating your own signature autumn desserts.
Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a worldwide symbol of autumn, and its popularity grows every year. On social media, users eagerly share photos and opinions about this drink, further reinforcing its cult status. The ongoing trend for Pumpkin Spice Latte is increasing the popularity of desserts inspired by autumn flavours. Our Pumpkin Spice Soft Cup, Orange Ginger Soft Cup and Gingerbread Affogato are three dessert ideas that bring together seasonal tastes with a modern café format.
Pumpkin Spice Latte first appeared on the Starbucks menu in 2003 and instantly gained the status of a cult seasonal drink. The idea was simple – combine the flavours of autumn with the pleasure of drinking coffee. Today, pumpkin latte is not just a drink, but a symbol of an autumn ritual marking the beginning of pumpkin season, cosy jumpers and the scent of warming spices.
The success of pumpkin latte was no coincidence. Introducing this coffee at a specific time of year created a sense of exclusivity and anticipation – customers know it’s available only for a few months, which makes it more desirable. For café owners, this is a lesson: seasonality builds emotions and drives sales.
Pumpkin Spice Latte typically appears from September to December, during pumpkin harvest season and peak autumn weather. It’s the time when customers seek warm, aromatic flavours – spicy, sweet and creamy. The drink fits perfectly into the autumn ritual of meeting over coffee. Limited availability serves as natural marketing – the drink is desirable precisely because it’s temporary. It’s worth using this trend and adding seasonal desserts based on soft ice cream. This way you can extend the ice-cream season all the way to Christmas!
The key to great autumn desserts lies in their distinctive flavour and aroma – a blend of warming spices, pumpkin sweetness, velvety coffee and the intensely milky taste of cream soft serve. When preparing them, don’t hold back on cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves or gingerbread spice – they guarantee depth of flavour and rich autumn aroma.
To prepare pumpkin latte or other autumn desserts, pumpkin purée is essential. Making it yourself requires time and effort, which is why cafés often use ready-made pumpkin purée to streamline the process. Cafés value the balance between quality and convenience – homemade purée works especially well in artisan cafés that focus on natural and handcrafted products. Pumpkin syrup or pumpkin-spice syrup is a great addition, but it cannot fully replace pumpkin, mainly due to its thinner consistency.
| Feature | Pumpkin purée | Pumpkin syrup |
| Preparation time | 15–20 minutes (pumpkin must be diced and cooked until soft, or baked and blended into a smooth purée) | ready to use, just shake |
| Flavour intensity | delicate, slightly sweet, natural | sweet, often artificially enhanced |
| Fridge life | 3–5 days | 2–3 weeks |
| Cost | low | medium |
| Availability | seasonal | year-round |
Pumpkin spice syrup can be used to enhance pumpkin coffee or desserts, but it’s also a great addition to pancakes and cakes, making it highly versatile.
The type of ice cream plays a major role in the texture and flavour profile of both desserts and iced coffee. The best option is milk-based ice cream – full-bodied, smooth and creamy. LYKKE soft serve ice cream is ideal: it’s a premium soft serve distinguished by its simple, natural ingredients. By introducing seasonal desserts, you can serve soft ice cream not only in summer, but also in autumn and winter.
To make Pumpkin Spice Latte, heat the milk – in a pot, microwave or using a milk frother, which will also create creamy foam. Add a little vanilla to enrich the aroma. Then mix the hot milk with the remaining ingredients, such as pumpkin purée, spices and espresso, creating a creamy and warming drink.
If you want to prepare a pumpkin spice latte enriched with delicious, creamy soft serve, follow this recipe based on LYKKE soft serve ice cream.
Add a serving of soft serve ice ceam (preferably cream or vanilla) to a large mug or glass. Pour in the coffee, pumpkin purée and spiced syrup. Top with whipped cream. Decorate with spices, a cinnamon stick or a star anise. You can also prepare a decaf version using decaffeinated espresso or a grain-based drink.
An autumn comfort dessert in the form of a shake – cold and creamy, but with a warming flavour. It shows that soft serve ice cream isn’t just for summer, and that autumn syrups can create a new category of premium desserts..
The recipe is extremely simple. Add a portion of soft serve ice cream, 4 tablespoons of pumpkin purée and top it with whipped cream in a tall glass or a takeaway cup. Drizzle the dessert with pumpkin spice syrup. Creative use of soft serve ice cream can help you successfully sell it during the autumn and winter season.
A layered dessert that combines cream soft serve ice cream with a spicy citrus orange-and-ginger syrup and crunchy spiced biscuits. Aromatic, artisanal and photogenic – the perfect “soft dessert” to serve with coffee. Serve it in layers in a transparent cup or glass sundae dish.
You can prepare it in just a few moments: place crushed spiced biscuits at the bottom of a cup or glass, add a small portion of soft serve ice cream and the orange–ginger syrup, add another layer of biscuits and top with whipped cream. Decorate with orange zest.
Serving order:
biscuits → ice cream → syrup → biscuits → whipped cream + zest.
A modern interpretation of the classic affogato – LYKKE vanilla soft serve ice cream topped with hot espresso and gingerbread syrup. A surprising combination of contrasts: heat and cold, the bitterness of coffee and the sweetness of the syrup with an intense blend of warming spices. Both coffee and dessert in one.
This premium coffee–dessert is extremely easy to prepare and visually impressive. Add a portion of LYKKE vanilla soft serve ice cream, pour over a cup of strong coffee and the gingerbread or spiced syrup. Top with whipped cream and dust with a pinch of cocoa. Serve in a small cup or sundae dish.
Now that you already know simple and reliable recipes for autumn desserts, the next step is to introduce them into your menu. Here is a list of actions that will help ensure the new desserts generate interest, high sales and attract new customers.
1. Plan seasonality as a strategy – introduce autumn specials for a defined period, from September to December. Build anticipation and communicate the return of the seasonal menu on social media.
2. Use formats that photograph themselves – layered desserts and shakes in transparent cups are visually strong – perfect for Instagram and TikTok. Remember aesthetics: glass, autumn colours, natural toppings.
3. Use the equipment you already have – instead of investing in new equipment, use your espresso machine and soft serve ice-cream machine to create modern coffee desserts.
4. Focus on quality ingredients – natural syrups, fresh purée, LYKKE soft serve ice cream – these are the elements that will make your venue stand out. Guests increasingly care about authenticity and ingredients.
5. Promote through emotion – don’t sell a product, sell the experience of autumn – scent, warmth, colour. Use emotional language in menu descriptions and photos.
Pumpkin Spice Latte is more than just coffee – it is an autumn ritual. But it is also a starting point for creating your own interpretations of autumn in your café menu. With simple recipes and the use of LYKKE soft serve ice cream, you can easily create a full range of autumn desserts that will attract attention, increase sales and strengthen your café’s image as a place worth visiting
