This Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake Is My New Favorite Post-Workout or Lunchtime Fuel

Aside from color-changing leaves, the taste of pumpkin is the most universal sign that Fall has kicked Summer to the curb and embraced us with outstretched tree trunk arms. It's everywhere — in our desserts, our lattes, even our deodorant (I'm not kidding). So I was pleased — though not surprised, since I knew it'd be delicious — when I tasted a pumpkin pie protein shake bursting with Autumn flavor.

The recipe is a slight adaptation from blogger (and POPSUGAR employee) Taylor Celentano's Pumpkin Protein Smoothie. I've had it, along with some nuts, as my lunch, and it makes for a great post-workout drink. The BSN Syntha-6 Pumpkin Pie Protein Powder used here blends nicely with peanut butter — plus, just the powder itself packs 22 grams of whey protein. Of course, you can use any brand of pumpkin protein you like.

I made a few tweaks of my own to adjust the recipe for what I had available at home, so the ingredients and estimated nutrition facts ahead are based on my adaptation. For instance, on her site, Soul Brew, Taylor said that she added collagen (I did not), used a frozen banana (I used a fresh banana), and put three-quarters of a tablespoon of peanut butter (I love peanut butter and upped it to one tablespoon). We both used unsweetened vanilla almond milk. The shake as a whole truly does taste like a slice of pumpkin pie, so get to blendin' already!