Copycat Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Recipe

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Fall isn’t complete without indulging in pumpkin-flavored treats, and Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée is the ultimate fall favorite. With its rich blend of pumpkin spice, velvety caramel, and a Soft Top® finish that feels like a hug in a cup, it’s no wonder this drink has become a must-have for so many of us.

How to make Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brulee

The Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée is a seasonal fall drink offered by Dutch Bros. It blends pumpkin flavor, salted caramel, and pumpkin pie sauce with a creamy, brûlée-style topping (often made with a soft topping, raw sugar, and pumpkin drizzle).

Ingredients

For the Drink:

• 1 cup of strong brewed coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1 cup of milk (whole, almond, oat, or any preferred milk)
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping:

• Whipped cream (or Dutch Bros’ equivalent Soft Top® substitute)
• Caramel sauce for drizzling
• Raw sugar (or turbinado sugar) for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Brew Your Coffee: Use your preferred method to brew a strong cup of coffee or prepare 1-2 shots of espresso. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Milk Mixture: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, caramel syrup, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir constantly until the mixture is steaming and the ingredients are fully blended. Do not let it boil.
3. Add Vanilla: Once the milk mixture is heated, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Froth the Milk: Using a handheld milk frother, whisk, or blender, froth the milk until it becomes creamy and slightly foamy.
5. Assemble the Drink: Pour the brewed coffee or espresso into a large mug. Gently add the milk mixture to the coffee, holding back the foam with a spoon. Pour the foam on top of the drink as the final layer.
6. Add Toppings: Generously dollop whipped cream (or your Soft Top® substitute) on the top. Drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with raw sugar for that signature brûlée crunch.

Tips for the Perfect Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée

• Customize the Sweetness: Adjust the sweetness to taste by varying the amount of caramel or maple syrup. If you prefer a sweeter Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brulee, you can add additional syrup.
• Pumpkin Puree Tips: Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best flavor. Canned pumpkin works well, but homemade is also excellent if you have it.
• Milk Frothing: If you don’t have a frother, you can create milk foam by shaking hot milk in a lidded jar or blending it at high speed.
• Soft Top® at Home: If you want to mimic Dutch Bros’ Soft Top®, mix heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a dash of vanilla extract, and whip slightly until thickened but still pourable.

What to serve with

The Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée is a rich and indulgent fall beverage bursting with comforting flavors of pumpkin spice, salted caramel, and a brûléed sugary crunch.

• Pumpkin Muffins or Pumpkin Bread: Pumpkin goes hand-in-hand with this drink! Moist pumpkin muffins or slices of pumpkin bread flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves will amplify the autumnal flavors.
• Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing: The gooey, cinnamon sweetness in a warm cinnamon roll perfectly balances the caramel and coffee notes of the drink.
• Apple Cider Donuts: These spiced cake donuts, often found in fall markets, bring a wonderful apple and cinnamon flavor that complements the Pumpkin Brûlée.
• Maple Pecan Scones: A buttery, nutty scone with hints of maple syrup is a beautiful match for the drink’s caramelized sugar topping.

Ingredients Substitutes

While the original recipe uses fairly common and straightforward ingredients, you might need (or want) to make some substitutions based on dietary restrictions, preference, or what you have on hand.

1. Coffee/Espresso Substitute

Original Ingredient: Strong brewed coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso.

Substitutes:

• Instant Coffee: Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee in hot water to mimic strong brewed coffee.
• Cold Brew Coffee: If you prefer a smoother, less acidic coffee flavor, use cold brew concentrate—just make sure to warm it slightly.
• Decaf Coffee: For a caffeine-free version, simply use decaf coffee or decaf espresso.
• Chicory Coffee: If you want a more earthy flavor, chicory coffee is a great caffeine-free option.
• Hot Chocolate or Malted Milk Drink: For a kid-friendly, completely caffeine-free variation, replace the coffee with rich hot chocolate.

2. Milk Substitute

Original Ingredient: Whole milk.

Substitutes (Dairy-Free Options):

• Almond Milk: Light and slightly nutty, almond milk pairs well with the caramel and pumpkin spices.
• Oat Milk: Creamy and naturally sweet, oat milk is one of the best substitutes for achieving the texture of whole milk.
• Coconut Milk: For a tropical twist, use coconut milk (from a carton, not canned). The subtle coconut flavor will complement the caramel.
• Soy Milk: Another creamy option that works well in hot drinks.
• Cashew Milk: Ultra-creamy and neutral-tasting, this is great for replicating the texture of whole milk.
• For Full-Fat Options: Try evaporated milk for even richer creaminess.

3. Pumpkin Puree Substitute

Original Ingredient: 2 tablespoons of pure pumpkin puree.

Substitutes:

• Homemade Pumpkin Puree: Roast and blend fresh pumpkin if you want to use a more natural base.
• Sweet Potato Puree: Mash cooked sweet potato for a similar texture and sweetness with a slightly different taste.
• Carrot Puree: Pureed carrots (boiled or roasted) can provide similar color and texture, though the flavor will be milder.
• Skip the Pumpkin: If you don’t like pumpkin, you can omit it altogether and focus on the caramel and spiced flavors instead.

4. Caramel Syrup Substitute

Original Ingredient: 1 tablespoon caramel syrup.

Substitutes:

• Homemade Caramel Sauce: Combine sugar, water, butter, and cream to make your own caramel at home.
• Honey or Agave Syrup: While not identical, these sweeteners provide similar sweetness and can mimic caramel’s texture.
• Butterscotch Syrup: If you don’t have caramel, butterscotch adds a similar sweet and buttery flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup works as a non-caramel alternative with rich, earthy sweetness.

5. Maple Syrup Substitute

Original Ingredient: 1 tablespoon maple syrup.

Substitutes:

• Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar: Dissolve either in the milk mixture for similar deep, molasses-like sweetness.
• Honey or Agave Syrup: Both are easy, accessible substitutes for maple syrup that still provide a liquid sweetener option.
• Golden Syrup: This liquid sweetener has a caramelized taste, making it a wonderful stand-in.
• Skip It: If you’re already using caramel syrup, you might not need maple syrup at all—adjust sweetness to taste.

Final Thoughts

With just the right food pairing, your Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée can transform from a single drink into a cozy, full-fledged fall experience that will leave you feeling warm and satisfied.