Celebrate International Coffee Day with pumpkin spice and coffee ice cream recipes! Espresso meets cosy autumn flavours for delicious, scoopable treats.
Coffee Day is here — and we’re celebrating in the sweetest way possible. ☕🍦
Every 1st October, the world raises a mug for International Coffee Day — a celebration of the bean that fuels mornings, sparks conversations, and brings people together across every culture.
This year, we’re fusing the bold kick of coffee with the cosy spices of autumn to create pumpkin spice coffee ice cream. Think Starbucks’ iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte — but churned into a creamy frozen treat you can enjoy by the bowlful. Smooth, spiced, and just the thing for crisp October evenings.
So whether you’re a die-hard PSL fan or simply looking for a frosty new way to enjoy your brew, these recipes will help you mark International Coffee Day in deliciously seasonal style.
✅ In This Article, You’ll Find
- How to celebrate International Coffee Day with ice cream
- Why pumpkin spice + coffee is the ultimate autumn pairing
- A recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream (Starbucks-inspired)
- A quick, coffee-lover’s classic: Affogato with a seasonal twist
- Coffeehouse-style serving ideas for café vibes at home
- Vegan-friendly swaps to keep it inclusive
- FAQs about coffee ice cream and caffeine
🌍 Coffee – A Global Love Affair
From the bustling espresso bars of Italy to the creamy café au lait of France, from Turkish coffee brewed strong and sweet to Japan’s innovative canned coffee — this little bean is truly universal.
Every culture has its own ritual, its own twist, and its own way of savouring coffee.
That’s what makes International Coffee Day so special – it’s a moment to celebrate the global language of coffee, in all its forms. Whether it’s sipped slowly with friends, grabbed on the go, or transformed into a decadent dessert, coffee connects people everywhere.
And here at Frosted Fusions? Naturally, we celebrate with ice cream. Because coffee isn’t just for mugs — it’s for scoops, sundaes, and frosted fusions too.
🍂 Why Pumpkin Spice + Coffee Belong in Ice Cream
Pumpkin spice might get teased for being “basic,” but it’s lasted decades for a reason. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves bring warmth and comfort, and paired with coffee’s roasted richness, it’s a match made in seasonal heaven.
Turn those flavours into ice cream and you’ve got:
- Comfort in a scoop → cosy, creamy, and familiar.
- Seasonal indulgence → a frosty version of autumn’s most famous drink.
- Coffee celebration → a way to toast Coffee Day beyond your morning mug.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream Recipe
Starbucks’ autumn favourite — churned into a scoopable dessert.
Ingredients (makes ~750ml)
- 300ml double cream
- 200ml whole milk
- 150g light brown sugar
- 150g pumpkin purée
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder (or 60ml strong brewed coffee, cooled)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp ginger
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Combine cream, milk, sugar, pumpkin purée, and spices in a saucepan. Heat gently until smooth (don’t boil).
- Stir in the espresso and vanilla.
- Chill thoroughly (3–4 hours or overnight).
- Churn in your ice cream maker until thick and creamy.
- Transfer to a tub and freeze 2–3 hours before scooping.
Nutritional Values (per ~100g serving)
~210 kcal | 13g fat | 18g sugar | 3g protein
💡 No machine? Freeze in a shallow tub, stirring every 30 minutes for 4–5 hours.
Affogato with a Seasonal Twist Recipe
The simplest coffee dessert — elevated with autumn flavours.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 scoops vanilla, caramel, or pumpkin spice ice cream
- 2 fresh shots of espresso
- Optional: caramel drizzle, cinnamon dusting, or a biscotti on the side
Method
- Place a scoop of ice cream into each glass or cup.
- Pour over the hot espresso.
- Garnish with caramel, spice, or biscotti if desired.
- Serve immediately — watch the melt and enjoy.
💡 Pro Tip: For a grown-up twist, add a splash of Baileys, amaretto, or Kahlúa.
Nutritional Values for base recipe only, per serving
~165 kcal | 8g fat | 16g sugar | 3g protein
✅ Tips/Notes for Recipe
- Caramel drizzle adds ~20 kcal and 5g sugar per teaspoon.
- Biscotti adds ~55 kcal, 2g fat, and 7g sugar per small piece.
- For a grown-up twist, a splash of Baileys, amaretto, or Kahlúa adds ~50–70 kcal depending on measure.
🏠 Coffeehouse-Style Serving Ideas
Bring café vibes into your kitchen with these simple serving spins:
- Affogato Flight → Serve three small scoops (vanilla, caramel, pumpkin spice) with mini espresso shots.
- Mocha Sundae → Layer coffee ice cream with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate-covered espresso beans.
- PSL Float → Pumpkin spice ice cream topped with iced coffee and a swirl of cream.
- Caramel Macchiato Sundae → Coffee ice cream layered with caramel drizzle and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Perfect for marking Coffee Day with friends, or just treating yourself at home.
🌱 Vegan & Dairy-Free Options
Swap in:
- Coconut cream + oat milk → rich, creamy base for the ice cream.
- Vegan vanilla or caramel ice cream → ideal for affogatos.
- Maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
The flavours still shine, and oat milk especially makes the spices pop.
❓ FAQs – ☕Coffee Ice Cream Edition
Does coffee ice cream really contain caffeine?
Yes — especially if made with espresso. A serving may have half the caffeine of a small cup of coffee.
Can I use instant coffee?
Definitely. Instant espresso powder is perfect for ice cream bases — just dissolve it first.
What’s the best ice cream for Coffee Day?
Go classic with vanilla in affogato, seasonal with pumpkin spice, or bold with mocha. It’s all about matching your brew style.
Can kids enjoy coffee ice cream?
Best to keep the espresso-based scoops for adults. For little ones, skip the coffee and stick to spiced vanilla or pumpkin.
📌 Related Reads You Might Also Love
👉🏽 The Perfect Brew – Homemade Coffee Ice Cream – classic, creamy, coffee perfection.
👉🏽 Autumnal Pumpkin Perfection – Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream – cosy autumn comfort.
👉🏽 Indulge Your Senses with a Decadent Tiramisu Ice Cream Recipe – the classic Italian dessert reimagined as a creamy, coffee-kissed frozen treat.
☕ Join the Coffee Day Celebration!
Love coffee as much as we do? Whether you’re team Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream or team Affogato, we’d love to know how you’ll be celebrating International Coffee Day.
🍦 Which scoop would you choose — pumpkin spice or affogato? Share your answer in the comments below!
➡️ Don’t forget to tag us on socials with your creations — we love seeing your frosty fusions in action.
🍦 The Final Scoop
International Coffee Day is about more than sipping a latte — it’s about celebrating the countless ways coffee brings joy and flavour into our lives.
This year, skip the café queue and celebrate with a scoop. From pumpkin spice latte ice cream to the simple elegance of an affogato, these recipes are a frosty salute to the world’s favourite bean. Bold, creamy, spiced, and seasonal — coffee never tasted so sweet.
👉🏽 Which scoop will you celebrate with — PSL ice cream or affogato? Drop your choice in the comments — we love seeing how you enjoy your coffee creations.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our article — Pumpkin Spice Magic – Coffee Ice Cream with a Seasonal Twist — and that we’ve inspired you to give these recipes a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below — we always reply and love hearing from our readers.
Stay connected for more homemade ice cream inspiration! Share your coffee-themed creations with us on social media and join a community of ice cream enthusiasts just as passionate about flavour and fun as you are.
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