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The Best Vanilla Latte Recipe

by | Mar 19, 2023

Ever find yourself craving a latte, but don’t want to leave the house to get one? Or maybe you want to impress your guests with a homemade latte, but don’t know where to start? With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of know-how, you can create a perfectly frothy and flavorful latte in the comfort of your home—not to mention cut back on your coffee spending. Grab your favorite mug and let’s get started!

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Ingredients

  • 1 shot of espresso (or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee)
  • 1 cup of milk (any type of milk can be used)
  • 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup (or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract)
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Equipment

Instructions

  1. Brew one shot of espresso using an espresso machine or make a half-cup of strong coffee using a coffee maker.
  2. While the espresso is brewing, heat the milk in a saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Heat the milk until it is steaming hot, but not boiling.
  3. Froth the milk using a milk frother or whisk until it is foamy and creamy. The milk should double in volume and form a velvety microfoam.
  4. Add the vanilla syrup or extract to the milk and stir well.
  5. Pour the espresso or strong coffee into a coffee mug.
  6. Slowly pour the frothed milk over the espresso or coffee.
  7. Spoon some of the foam on top of the latte.
  8. Optional: top with whipped cream for added sweetness.
  9. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade vanilla latte!

Notes

  • If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use a stove-top moka pot or a French press to make strong coffee.
  • If you don’t have a milk frother, you can whisk the milk vigorously by hand to create foam.
  • You can adjust the sweetness of the latte by adding more or less vanilla syrup, or by using a different type of syrup, such as caramel or hazelnut.