If you’re looking for a warm and comforting drink to curl up with this winter, look no further than these creamy sweet Cinnamon Lattes. Make this copy cat Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce latte recipe at home with just a few simple ingredients!
Creamy, Comforting Cinnamon Lattes
After having two children, my body decided it no longer appreciated caffeine. By that I mean, my brain and my under-eye bags desperately wanted caffeine, but the rest of my body decided to take my morning coffee and turn it into lightheadedness with a side of the shakes.
I knew I had to nix the caffeine (*sobs*), but I still wanted to enjoy the warmth and sweetness of my favorite Starbucks lattes, so I started ordering them decaffeinated. Unfortunately, decaf coffee brews at most of the major chains is, well, how can I put this nicely? It’s absolute garbage.
And that’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn how to make amazing lattes at home with decaffeinated espresso that actually tastes good. One of the first lattes I tried was a copy cat of a Starbucks favorite, the Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
Cinnamon Dolce simply means “cinnamon sweet” in Italian, and that’s exactly what this is. Warm and creamy, frothy and spiced, this cinnamon latte practically screams “IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME! LET’S GET COZY!”
Why You’ll Love Making Cinnamon Lattes At Home
There are so many advantages to making your own lattes at home, but here’s a few:
- Save money. Listen, I’ll never be the person telling you to give up your drive-thru latte pick me up. I LOVE a good drive thru moment when I’m out running errands. But there is something to be said for treating yourself at home AND saving some cash money.
- Make your latte just the way you like. Do you want a latte that’s a little less sweet or a little more sweet? No problem, the cinnamon simple syrup makes it easy to add more or less to your taste. You can also change out to whatever fancy non-dairy milk you want without a crazy upcharge.
- Save calories. A tall Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte will run you about 270 calories. Our at-home version clocks in at under 200 calories, and that’s with a generous swirl of sweetened whipped topping.
- It tastes BETTER than the coffee shop version. Yes, I said it. These cinnamon lattes are even better than what I used to order out. They’re balanced, rich, and spiced, without any hint of bitterness.
Key Ingredients
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup– This homemade cinnamon syrup is the key to creating a smooth latte that tastes like it’s infused with cinnamon. You’ll just need brown sugar, water, and cinnamon to make it!
- Espresso or strong brewed coffee– We don’t have an espresso machine, so we use either strong brewed coffee brewed with high quality beans, instant espresso powder, or our Aeropress to make lattes. You can learn more about how to make espresso with the Aeropress in this recipe for Honey Lattes.
- Milk– I usually use 2% milk or oat milk. You can use any kind of milk you like, but keep in mind that some non-dairy milks may not froth as well as cow’s or oat milk.
- Whipped cream– I’m a sucker for good ol’ Reddi Whip. It tastes great and makes it easy to get a big beautiful swirl on top of your cup. That said, feel free to use homemade whipped cream or omit this completely if you prefer.
- Ground cinnamon– Just a sprinkle finishes these off and makes for a lovely cup!
Helpful At-Home Latte Tools:
Some helpful but not 100% necessary equipment for homemade lattes:
- We enjoy grinding our own coffee beans, and this OXO grinder has been a winner for us!
- You don’t *have* to froth your milk for lattes, but it sure is fun (and who can resist a frothy milk mustache? Our frother is attached to our Ninja coffee maker, but this handheld one is also great and extremely affordable. Here are some other ways to froth milk that involve common kitchen items you probably already have!
- Here’s the Aeropress we love! (You can also use a Moka Pot or splurge for something like the Nespresso).
- If you’re in the decaf coffee boat with me, this Thrive Market decaf breakfast blend is the best tasting decaf I’ve found for the price. For Columbus locals, One Line’s decaf beans are also EXCELLENT. Meijer’s Frederick’s brand of decaf beans is also quite good!
FAQS
What is a cinnamon dolce latte?
According to Starbucks’ website, the cinnamon dolce latte is made with steamed milk, cinnamon dolce syrup, espresso, whipped cream and cinnamon dolce topping.
What’s in cinnamon dolce syrup?
Cinnamon dolce syrup is a simple syrup made with sugar and cinnamon! We make our homemade cinnamon syrup with brown sugar for a rich flavor, and a hint of vanilla to balance it out.
What does a cinnamon dolce latte taste like?
It tastes like being wrapped up in a creamy, rich snickerdoodle blanket hug.
Can I make this iced?
You sure can! I gravitate towards cinnamon spiced lattes in the cooler months, but you can absolutely add ice for a warm weather treat.
Do you have to froth milk for lattes?
You don’t! You can just use warm milk if you prefer (or cold if you’re making it iced!).
More At Home Lattes to Try
Want to try making more of your favorite coffee shop drinks at home? Try these:
Ingredients
For the cinnamon syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the lattes:
- 2 shots (3 oz) espresso or 4 oz. strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup milk, (whole, 2%, or oat preferred)
- 2 Tablespoons cinnamon syrup, more or less to taste, recipe below
- Whipped cream or whipped dairy topping
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
For the cinnamon syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, and continue simmering until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Allow the mixture to steep for at least one hour or up to four hours for even more flavor.
- Strain out the cinnamon sticks, stir in the vanilla, then store in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to use.
For the lattes:
- Heat the milk on the stove top or in the microwave until steaming, but not boiling.
- Add the cinnamon syrup to the milk then use a milk frother to froth. You can also use one of the alternative methods to froth the milk.
- Pour the espresso into the bottom of a mug, then top with cinnamon milk.
- Finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes
Nutrition information is calculated based on 2 Tablespoons of cinnamon syrup, oat milk, and 3 Tablespoons of whipped dairy topping.
For a full tutorial on how to make espresso shots with the aeropress, check out this video.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 180Total Fat: 5.5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 25gSugar: 22gProtein: 2g
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