Copycat Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

Pumpkin, caramel, espresso, and cream come together in this Copycat Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve—the ultimate homemade fall coffee.

Rich espresso is combined with real pumpkin, warm pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, caramel, and creamy half-and-half before being topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a crunchy brûlée-style sugar topping.

It’s rich.

It’s creamy.

It’s unapologetically fall.

And you can make it hot or iced right at home.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

If pumpkin spice alone isn’t quite enough for you, adding caramel takes things to another level.

You’ll love this drink because it’s:

• Packed with pumpkin flavor
• Rich and creamy
• Loaded with caramel
• Delicious hot or iced
• Made with real pumpkin
• Easy to customize
• Ready in about 10 minutes
• Perfect for fall

The crunchy sugar topping makes it feel especially coffee-shop-worthy.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Caramel Breve

• 2 shots espresso
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch of salt
• Ice, for iced version

For the Brûlée Topping

• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
• Pinch of pumpkin pie spice

For Topping

• Whipped cream
• Caramel sauce
• Brûlée sugar mixture

How to Make Copycat Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

Step 1: Brew the Espresso

Brew two shots of espresso.

Pour the hot espresso into a mug or heat-safe measuring cup.

Step 2: Add the Pumpkin

Add the pumpkin puree to the hot espresso.

Whisk or stir vigorously until the pumpkin is completely incorporated.

Step 3: Add the Fall Flavors

Add the caramel sauce, vanilla syrup, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and a tiny pinch of salt.

Stir until the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined.

You now have a concentrated pumpkin-caramel espresso mixture.

How to Make an Iced Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

Step 4: Fill a Glass With Ice

Fill a tall glass approximately three-quarters full with ice.

Step 5: Add Half-and-Half

Pour the cold half-and-half over the ice.

Step 6: Add the Pumpkin Espresso

Slowly pour the pumpkin caramel espresso over the half-and-half.

You can leave the layers visible for a minute before stirring.

Step 7: Add Whipped Cream

Top generously with whipped cream.

Step 8: Add Caramel

Drizzle caramel sauce over the whipped cream.

Step 9: Add the Brûlée Topping

Mix the coarse sugar with a small pinch of pumpkin pie spice.

Sprinkle it over the whipped cream and caramel.

Serve immediately.

How to Make a Hot Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

Prepare the pumpkin espresso mixture as directed.

Heat the half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until hot and steaming.

Don’t let it boil.

Froth the warm half-and-half until creamy and foamy.

Slowly pour it into the pumpkin espresso.

Top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and the brûlée sugar topping.

Serve immediately.

What Is a Breve?

A breve is an espresso drink made with half-and-half instead of regular milk.

That means it’s richer and creamier than a traditional latte.

The extra richness works especially well with pumpkin and caramel.

This is definitely more of a treat than your basic morning coffee.

And that’s kind of the point.

What Does a Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve Taste Like?

Imagine combining a pumpkin spice latte with a caramel breve.

Then add whipped cream, more caramel, and crunchy sugar.

That’s basically what we’re making.

You get bold espresso followed by creamy pumpkin, cinnamon and fall spices, buttery caramel, vanilla, and a sweet brûlée-style finish.

Use Real Pumpkin Puree

For this homemade version, we’re using real pumpkin.

Look for canned 100% pure pumpkin puree.

You only need a couple tablespoons.

Refrigerate the leftover pumpkin and use it for more fall drinks, pumpkin muffins, pancakes, oatmeal, or smoothies.

Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling

Don’t accidentally grab pumpkin pie filling.

Pumpkin puree is plain cooked pumpkin.

Pumpkin pie filling usually contains added sugar and spices.

Since we’re adding our own brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice, pie filling could make the finished drink overly sweet.

What Is Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Pumpkin pie spice is generally a combination of warm spices such as:

• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Allspice

Different brands use slightly different blends.

Any pumpkin pie spice you enjoy will work.

Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice

No pumpkin pie spice?

Combine:

• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

Store the mixture in an airtight spice container.

You’ll have plenty for all your fall coffee recipes.

The Brûlée Topping

The crunchy sugar topping is what makes this drink especially fun.

We’re keeping the homemade version easy by using coarse sugar mixed with a little pumpkin pie spice.

Sprinkled over whipped cream and caramel, it gives you little pops of crunch with every sip.

You can use:

• Turbinado sugar
• Demerara sugar
• Coarse decorating sugar
• Raw sugar

Regular granulated sugar will work in a pinch, but coarse sugar gives you a better crunch.

Do I Need a Kitchen Torch?

No.

We’re not actually caramelizing sugar directly on top of the drink.

A traditional crème brûlée gets its glass-like sugar crust from caramelized sugar, but trying to torch sugar sitting on whipped cream isn’t necessary for this recipe.

Coarse sugar gives us that brûlée-inspired crunch without the extra equipment.

What Caramel Sauce Should I Use?

Any caramel sauce you already enjoy will work.

A thick coffee or dessert caramel is particularly good because it mixes easily into hot espresso and looks beautiful drizzled over whipped cream.

You can use homemade caramel too.

Do I Need an Espresso Machine?

No.

You can use:

• An espresso machine
• A Nespresso-style machine
• A moka pot
• Instant espresso
• Strong brewed coffee

If you’re using regular coffee, use approximately 1/2 cup very strongly brewed coffee.

Can I Use Regular Milk?

Absolutely.

Half-and-half is what technically makes this drink a breve, but regular milk will make it lighter.

Try:

• Whole milk
• 2% milk
• Oat milk
• Almond milk
• Soy milk

It won’t technically be a breve anymore, but it’ll still be delicious.

Make It Dairy-Free

Use a creamy plant-based milk such as oat milk.

You’ll also want to choose dairy-free caramel sauce and whipped topping.

Traditional caramel often contains butter or cream, so check your ingredients.

Make It Extra Pumpkiny

Increase the pumpkin puree by 1 teaspoon.

Don’t add too much at once because excessive pumpkin can make your drink thick.

You can also add an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Make It Extra Caramel

Drizzle caramel around the inside of your glass.

Add extra caramel to the espresso.

Then top with whipped cream and another generous caramel drizzle.

We’re already making a Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée.

This is not the time for caramel restraint.

Make It Less Sweet

Reduce or eliminate the brown sugar.

You can also use less vanilla syrup and caramel.

The caramel sauce and whipped cream already contribute plenty of sweetness.

Make It Sweeter

Add another teaspoon of brown sugar or vanilla syrup.

You can also add additional caramel.

Taste the drink first because caramel sauces vary significantly in sweetness.

Make It Extra Spiced

Add another small pinch of pumpkin pie spice.

You can also add extra cinnamon.

A tiny pinch of nutmeg is delicious too.

Just remember that ground spices don’t completely dissolve.

Make a Salted Caramel Pumpkin Breve

Add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to the caramel espresso.

Finish the drink with caramel drizzle and another couple flakes of sea salt.

Salt helps balance the sweetness and makes the caramel flavor stand out.

Make a Pumpkin Mocha Brûlée

Add 1 tablespoon chocolate sauce to the hot espresso.

Stir in the pumpkin, caramel, vanilla, and spices.

Prepare the drink as directed.

Finish with whipped cream, caramel, chocolate drizzle, and brûlée sugar.

Add Pumpkin Cold Foam

Making the iced version?

Go all-in on pumpkin.

Combine:

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Froth until thick but still pourable.

Use the pumpkin cold foam instead of whipped cream and finish with caramel and brûlée sugar.

Make Coffee Ice Cubes

For an iced drink that won’t get watered down, freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray.

Use the coffee cubes instead of regular ice.

As they melt, they’ll add coffee rather than water.

What to Serve With a Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

This is the ultimate fall coffee to pair with:

• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin bread
• Apple cider donuts
• Cinnamon rolls
• Maple donuts
• Snickerdoodle cookies
• Coffee cake
• Apple muffins
• Pumpkin donuts
• Caramel apples
• Pumpkin scones

Honestly, pair this with an apple cider donut and call it breakfast.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

Use pure pumpkin puree. Don’t use pumpkin pie filling.

Mix the pumpkin into hot espresso. It incorporates much more easily.

Add caramel while the espresso is hot. This helps it melt into the drink.

Don’t boil half-and-half. Heat it only until steaming.

Use coarse sugar. It gives you the best brûlée-inspired crunch.

Start with less sweetness. You can always add more.

Add toppings right before serving. That keeps your sugar crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve Have Coffee?

Yes. This homemade recipe uses two shots of espresso.

What Makes It a Breve?

A breve uses half-and-half instead of regular milk.

Can I Make It Iced?

Absolutely. It’s delicious hot or iced.

Can I Make It Decaf?

Yes. Use decaffeinated espresso.

Can I Use Regular Coffee?

Yes. Substitute approximately 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee.

Can I Use Regular Milk?

Yes. It won’t technically be a breve, but it will still taste delicious.

Can I Make It Dairy-Free?

Yes. Substitute creamy plant-based milk and use dairy-free caramel and whipped topping.

Do I Need a Kitchen Torch?

No. Coarse sugar creates an easy brûlée-inspired crunchy topping without torching anything.

Copycat Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve

If you’re going to make a fall coffee, you might as well really make a fall coffee.

This Copycat Dutch Bros Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée Breve combines espresso, real pumpkin, caramel, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and creamy half-and-half before piling on whipped cream, more caramel, and crunchy brûlée sugar.

It’s basically everything good about fall piled into one coffee.

Make it iced when September still feels like summer.

Make it hot when those chilly mornings finally show up.

Either way, don’t skip the crunchy topping.