Authentic Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Recipe – Step by Step homemade recipe
Table of Contents
This copycat Starbucks Caramel Brûlée Latte only requires 10 minutes to whip up and promises an experience as delightful as any expertly crafted barista brew. Combining rich espresso, sweet caramel brûlée syrup, smooth milk, and crunchy toffee bits, this coffee concoction is a must-try for aficionados everywhere. Indulge in the seamless blend of bold and creamy textures that capture the quintessence of a luxurious coffee treat.
What Is a Starbucks caramel Brûlée Latte?
This is probably my favorite winter drink on the Starbucks menu. While I love chocolate, caramel holds a special place in my heart, especially in the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, which is absolutely delicious. This drink is generous with caramel! As with all my Starbucks at home recipes, let’s start by seeing how Starbucks officially defines this drink item.
I agree that the topping sure is supreme! But let’s get into more details.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Saves you money: Making this drink at home saves money. I ordered a grande today to compare the taste with my homemade version, and it cost $6.25 CAD, totaling $7.06 CAD with tax! I remember when two grandes would cost around this much. The net cost of one of these homemade Caramel Brûlée Lattes is probably just a dollar at most.
- Quick: Have you ever been to the Starbucks drive-thru during peak hours, or had to wait in a long line because you couldn’t place a mobile order? The turnaround time can exceed 10 minutes. However, if you’ve prepared your caramel sauce and vanilla syrup in advance, making your own Caramel Brûlée Latte will only take about 5 minutes!
- Made from Scratch: Almost all components of this recipe are homemade, except for the toffee and butterscotch chips. This includes the vanilla syrup, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. While you can buy these items, making them yourself is more rewarding and flavorful.
- Easy: The process to make our latte is incredibly easy! Depending on the equipment you have, it can be even easier. This is the first coffee recipe I’m making with my Ninja DualBrew Pro coffee maker, and it made the process much smoother than when I used a French press and handheld frother.
- Customizable: While Starbucks offers extensive customization options through their app, you still can’t achieve exactly what you want because you’re not the one making it. Variations are inevitable due to different employees, which is part of the service industry. However, if you want complete control over how and when your drink is made, making it yourself is the way to go!
- Crème Brûlée in a Cup: This drink is incredibly satisfying, packed with caramel goodness. The creamy top, combined with butterscotch and toffee chips, creates a delightful experience. It’s guaranteed to bring cozy winter vibes and keep you warm on even the coldest days!
Tools & Glassware
- Saucepan: Used for making the caramel sauce and vanilla syrup.
- Whisk: Ideal for mixing ingredients for the sweeteners.
- Mason jar: Perfect for storing the caramel sauce and vanilla syrup.
- Spatula: Useful for transferring sauce and syrup from the saucepan to the mason jar.
- Latte cup: Great for serving your beverage. I prefer double-walled cups by Zwilling as they retain heat without burning your hands.
- French press and frother: A good alternative if you don’t have a coffee maker with a frother or an espresso machine.
- Measuring cups: Needed for measuring sugar and milk quantities.
- Measuring spoons: Essential for measuring vanilla syrup for the caramel sauce and vanilla syrup.
- Whipped cream dispenser: For homemade whipped cream, providing a professional-level application and taste.
- Nitrous oxide chargers: Necessary for a whipped cream dispenser to produce the gas that makes whipped cream fluffy and airy.
Ingredients
Creating this latte is easy to make with simple ingredients, especially once you have your caramel brûlée sauce prepared. Whether you opt for a homemade caramel brûlée topping or choose store-bought toffee, the drink will remain delicious;
- Brewed espresso or strong coffee
- Caramel brulée sauce
- 2% milk or a dairy/non-dairy alternative
- Whipped cream
- Caramel brulée topping
How to make caramel brulée sauce
Let’s start with the caramel brulée sauce, the most challenging part of the recipe. However, if you’ve made caramel before, this will be a breeze. Begin by combining milk powder and hot water in a small bowl. Stir well to completely dissolve the milk powder, then set aside.
Step 1: Add the granulated sugar to a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Do not add water or any other ingredients. Continuously stir the sugar until it melts and turns a deep amber color (about 7 minutes). Allow the sauce to darken slightly more than typical caramel sauce for a deeper, toasted flavor.
Step 2: Lower the heat to low and carefully pour the milk powder/water mixture into the caramelized sugar. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble and steam vigorously. The mixture may seize initially, but continuous stirring will return it to a smooth sauce.
Step 3: Continue to heat and stir for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Let the caramel sauce cool in the saucepan for a few minutes.
Step 6: Pour the cooled caramel sauce into a heatproof container or mason jar for storage.
Step 7: Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. Note that it will likely harden in the fridge, so you may need to heat it in the microwave to thin it out before using it in the latte.
Hint: this caramel sauce is also absolute perfection drizzled on top of ice cream!
Substitutions & Variations
The choice of milk in crafting your latte hinges largely on personal taste. For those who favor a richer texture, whole milk or 2% serves excellently to create that desired creamy consistency. Alternatively, opting for skim milk can significantly cut down on calories, making it an appealing option for the calorie-conscious.
For those looking to craft a dairy-free beverage, various non-dairy milk options are available. Almond milk and oat milk are excellent choices, known for their creamy texture and ability to steam well. Alternatively, soy milk or coconut milk can also be used. For a completely dairy-free experience, consider omitting the whipped cream or opting for a dairy-free whip.
While the focus here is on the caramel brûlée latte, don’t hesitate to experiment with different syrups according to your preference. For instance, toffee nut syrup could offer a delightful twist to the traditional flavor.
How to make Caramel Brulée Topping
The crunchy topping on the Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte is essentially caramelized sugar, also known as caramel brulée topping or caramel brulée crumbles.
Step 1: If you’re not particular about the topping, feel free to skip it or substitute with toffee bits. Begin by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine granulated sugar and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Gently stir to dissolve the sugar, making sure it’s completely wet. Once the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring and let the mixture come to a boil. You can gently swirl the pan to ensure even caramelization. Let it cook until the mixture turns a dark amber color, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Remove from heat and quickly pour the hot caramel onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it into a thin layer. Let it cool until hardened, which takes about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Once the caramel has hardened, use a knife, small mallet, or your hands to break it into small pieces or shards.
You can store the caramel brulée pieces in an airtight container at room temperature and they should stay fresh for about 2 weeks.
How to make a caramel brûlée latte
And now, we’re finally ready to make the drink we’ve been preparing for! This part is super simple.
Step 1: Pour the espresso into a heat-proof coffee mug and stir in the caramel brûlée sauce.
Step 2: Steam the milk using the microwave, stovetop, or an electric frother.
Step 3: Pour the steamed milk into the espresso.
Step 4: Top with whipped cream and pieces of caramel brûlée topping.
Step 5: Enjoy the cozy and comforting drink, reminiscent of a campfire on a chilly night. The brûlée flavors amplify the caramel, creating a powerful and pronounced taste, while the milk blends in seamlessly for a sweet and creamy treat.
Tips & Tricks
- When making your own caramel sauce, allow the water and sugar mixture to boil without disturbance until the mixture turns amber. If you mix while boiling, the sugar-water mixture can crystallize, and you will have to start over.
- The best part of making your Caramel Brûlée Latte at home is the ability to customize the coffee strength, sweetness, and toppings. Adjust the amount of syrup and caramel sauce to suit your taste.
- You don’t need to bring the milk to a boil before frothing—steaming is sufficient. If using the microwave, watch for steam as an indicator.
- Whether you heat your milk in the microwave or on the stove, be sure to monitor it closely to prevent it from boiling over.
- When frothing milk by hand, avoid frothing the surface to prevent splatter and mess. Place the frother in the middle of the milk and froth until it becomes foamy.
- If you lack a handheld frother, espresso machine, or coffee maker with a frother, you can use a French press or pour steamed milk into a mason jar and shake it until it becomes foamy.
Video recipe of brûlée latte:
Patrick Meyer
What to serve with a caramel brûlée latte
You will love enjoying this latte with your favorite coffee shop treats. Start with some madeleines or dark chocolate almond biscotti, or indulge in a caramel treat like caramel popcorn.
You could also pair this drink with your favorite breakfast and brunch foods, such as a caramel apple French toast casserole.
Is Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte gluten free?
Yes, the Caramel Brulée Latte is gluten-free. Starbucks uses ingredients in the Caramel Brulée Latte that do not contain gluten. However, cross-contamination can occur, so it’s important for those with severe gluten allergies or celiac disease to exercise caution. Always inform the barista of your dietary restrictions to minimize risk. For the most accurate and personalized information, it’s recommended to check with Starbucks directly or review their official allergen information.
Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Calories
Here is the price and calories chart of our favorite starbucks caramel brulee latte covering all the sizes;
| Size | Calories | Price (CAD) |
| Tall (12 oz) | 410 | 5.75 |
| Grande (16 oz) | 450 | 6.25 |
| Venti (20 oz) | 530 | 6.75 |
Is a caramel Brûlée Seasonal?
Yes, the Caramel Brûlée Latte is a seasonal drink offered by Starbucks, typically available during the winter holiday season. It features a rich caramel flavor and is often eagerly anticipated by customers each year when the winter menu is released.
Can I make a Caramel Brûlée latte without An espresso Maker?
While a latte is typically made with espresso, and an espresso machine is the ultimate piece of equipment for this recipe (go for it if you have one!), that shouldn’t stop you from making this delicious beverage! I provide more details about using what you have on hand in my free motivational guide, Make Cooking Fun!. In that text, I refer to ingredients already in your household that can be acceptable substitutes; in this case, the tools you have are key too.
Can I make this Starbucks Caramel Brûlée Latte Iced?
As mentioned earlier, the Starbucks winter menu includes both hot and iced versions of the Caramel Brûlée Latte, so you can definitely make it iced! Simply follow these steps: add vanilla syrup to the bottom of the cup, line the cup with caramel sauce, and brew your espresso into the cup. Once your espresso is in, add ice, then proceed with the rest of the instructions as described!
FAQs
- What is the difference between a caramel latte and a caramel brulée latte?
A caramel latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, and caramel syrup, while a caramel brulée latte includes these ingredients but adds caramel brulée sauce and a crunchy caramelized sugar topping, giving it a richer and more toasted flavor.
- What flavor is Starbucks caramel brulée latte?
The Caramel Brulée Latte has a rich caramel flavor with notes of caramelized sugar, offering a sweet and creamy taste profile.
- Is Starbucks caramel brulée latte seasonal?
Yes, the Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte is a seasonal drink, typically available during the winter holiday season.
- Is Starbucks still selling caramel brulée lattes?
Availability of the Caramel Brulée Latte depends on the season. It is usually offered during the winter holiday season, so check with your local Starbucks or their website for current availability.
- Is caramel brulée latte hot?
The Caramel Brulée Latte is traditionally served hot, but it can also be enjoyed iced.
- Is caramel brulée a holiday drink at Starbucks?
Yes, the Caramel Brulée Latte is considered a holiday drink at Starbucks, often featured on their winter seasonal menu.
