Step 1

Heat the pumpkin and spices. Place the pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and a generous helping of black pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until it's hot and smells cooked, about 2 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in the sugar. Add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly, thick syrup.

Step 3

Warm the milk. Whisk in the milk and vanilla and warm gently, stirring often and watching carefully to make sure it doesn't boil over.

Step 4

Blend the milk. Carefully process the mixture with a hand blender or in a traditional blender (hold the lid down tightly with a thick wad of towels!) until frothy and blended.

Step 5

Mix the drinks. Make the espresso or coffee and divide between 2 mugs. Add the frothed milk and pumpkin mixture. Top with the whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg if desired.