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Home » Recipes » Course » Beverages

Homemade Caramel Latte (Dairy-Free!)

By: Thomas Published: 14 Dec, 22 Updated: 14 Dec, 22 6 Comments

Jump to RecipeComments
5 from 3 votes
This creamy salted caramel latte is prepared with espresso, plant-based milk, and homemade caramel! It is rich, perfectly sweet, and has a delicious caramel flavor! A warming and easy-to-make treat to enjoy on chilly afternoons! Just 6 ingredients!

This creamy salted caramel latte is prepared with espresso, plant-based milk, and homemade caramel! It is rich, perfectly sweet, and has a delicious caramel flavor! A warming and easy-to-make treat to enjoy on chilly afternoons! Just 6 ingredients!

Caramel latte topped with whipping cream and caramel sauce.
Jump to:
  • 📘 What is a Caramel Latte
  • 🧈 Ingredient Notes
  • ☕️ How to Make Caramel Latte
  • 📔 Tips
  • 💬 FAQ
  • 🧋 More Delicious Drinks
  • 📖 Recipe

📘 What is a Caramel Latte

A caramel latte is a drink that is made with espresso, salted caramel sauce (or caramel syrup), and milk.

This homemade caramel latte is rich, smooth, and SO creamy! It's the perfect drink to sip on while watching a movie under a warm blanket! Let's do it!

Ingredients like sugar, cold brew coffee, vanilla extract, butter, and salt.

🧈 Ingredient Notes

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this delicious caramel latte:

  • Sugar - Use granulated white sugar for this recipe. As opposed to coconut sugar or brown sugar, white sugar melts very well and is perfect to make caramel.
  • Vegan butter - Use store-bought or homemade vegan butter. It adds richness and a buttery flavor to the caramel.
  • Coconut milk - Preferably full-fat coconut milk. Don't worry, you can barely taste the coconut flavor!
  • Vanilla - Use a high-quality vanilla extract for the best taste. Alternatively, you can use vanilla paste if that's what you have on hand. Want to learn how to make your own? Check out this Homemade Vanilla Extract recipe!
  • Salt - To balance with the sweetness, and because caramel is always better with a hint of saltiness.
  • Espresso - Use espresso, strong brewed coffee, or cold brew.
  • Plant-based milk - You can use your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk. Here, I went with cashew milk but almond milk, soy milk, or even hazelnut milk will work!

☕️ How to Make Caramel Latte

This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also yields enough caramel sauce to make up to 5 lattes! Plus the caramel sauce keeps very well in the refrigerator, so you can enjoy it throughout the week!

Caramel syrup in a saucepan.
Bubbling caramel in a saucepan.

Salted Caramel

First, we start by preparing the salted caramel that will make the base of our latte.

  1. Add the sugar and a tablespoon of water to a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium heat, until the sugar has melted. At first, it will form clumps, which is totally normal, keep heating until the sugar melts.
  3. Once the sugar is golden brown, immediately stir in the vegan butter. This will help stop the cooking and prevent the caramel from getting darker.
  4. Next, pour in the full-fat coconut milk and let simmer for another minute, or until the caramel is fully combined with the milk.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and a generous pinch of salt.
Salted caramel sauce in a small bowl.

Latte

To assemble the latte:

  1. Combine 1-2 tablespoons of the salted caramel sauce with hot espresso. Stir until the caramel has completely dissolved.
  2. Pour in the unsweetened plant-based milk and enjoy!
  3. To make your latte extra special, feel free to top it with your favorite vegan whipped cream!

📔 Tips

  • Depending on how strong your coffee is, you might have to adjust the ratio of milk to coffee. For example, if using a light cold brew, you will only need about 2 tablespoons of milk, while you might need up to ½ cup of milk if using a strong espresso.
  • If you want some foam on top of your latte, you will need to froth the milk. To do so, use soy milk, or plant-based milk that is made for that. It's usually sold under the label "Barista edition".
  • To froth the milk:
    1. Warm the milk in a small saucepan or in the microwave.
    2. Option 1: Transfer to a mason jar and shake for a few seconds or until foamy. Option 2: Use an electric milk frother.
    3. Pour the espresso into a glass, stir in the caramel sauce, and finish by pouring in the milk.

💬 FAQ

  • My caramel sauce is bitter, what happened? You cooked the sugar for too long and burnt the caramel. Make sure to keep an eye on the caramel during the cooking process, the caramel should have a rich amber color, but it shouldn't be dark brown.
  • How can I make an iced caramel latte? Fill a glass with ice cubes. In a small glass or jar, dissolve the caramel sauce into warm espresso and transfer it to the glass containing the ice. Top with cold milk and enjoy!
  • How long can I keep the vegan caramel? You can keep the caramel sauce for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. It will slightly thicken once chilled, so make sure to reheat gently over medium heat to give it a thinner consistency.
Glass of caramel latte topped with whipped cream.

This homemade caramel latte has the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with a delicate buttery flavor! It makes a real treat to enjoy during the cold weather, and trust me, it tastes better than Starbucks! Enjoy with a shortbread or chocolate chip cookie on the side!

🧋 More Delicious Drinks

  • Creamy Taro Milk Tea
  • Vietnamese Coffee
  • Black Sesame Cashew Milk
  • How to Make Hazelnut Milk

Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!

Caramel latte topped with whipping cream and caramel sauce.

📖 Recipe

Homemade Caramel Latte (Dairy-Free!)

5 from 3 votes
Author: Thomas
Creamy salted caramel latte prepared with espresso, plant-based milk, and homemade caramel sauce! A warming and easy-to-make treat to enjoy on chilly afternoons!
Print Pin Review
Prep Time : 10 minutes mins
Cook Time : 15 minutes mins
Total Time : 25 minutes mins
Servings 5 servings
Calories 147 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Salted Caramel

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoon vegan butter
  • ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt add more to taste

Latte

  • 1 and ½ tablespoon salted caramel adjust to taste
  • ½ cup espresso or cold brew
  • ¼ cup unsweetened plant-based milk
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

Salted Caramel

  • Add the sugar and water to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring regularly using a wooden spatula until the sugar melts (at first it will form clumps, that is normal). Keep heating over medium heat until the sugar turns into a golden brown color. Note: Be careful not to burn the caramel or it will turn bitter.
  • Once the caramel is golden brown, immediately add the vegan butter and stir to combine. The caramel will bubble so be careful not to burn yourself. Keep stirring until the butter is fully combined with the caramel.
  • Next, pour in the full-fat coconut milk and let simmer over low-medium heat for another 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the caramel is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Let cool for a few minutes before using. You should end up with about ½ cup of salted caramel sauce.

Latte

  • To make the caramel latte: add 1 and ½ tablespoons of salted caramel to a glass. Pour in the hot espresso and stir until the caramel has dissolved and is fully combined with the coffee. Pour in the unsweetened plant-based milk and enjoy!
  • You can also top your latte with vegan whipped cream and drizzle extra caramel sauce on top!

Notes

  • The salted caramel sauce will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. It will thicken in the refrigerator, so reheat gently over medium heat to make it liquid again.
  • Depending on how strong is your coffee, you might have to adjust the ratio of milk to coffee. For example, if using a light cold brew, you will only need about 2 tablespoons of milk, while you might need up to ½ cup of milk if using a strong espresso.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 147 kcal | Carbohydrates: 23 g | Protein: 1.9 g | Fat: 38.4 g | Saturated Fat: 3.1 g | Cholesterol: 15 mg | Sodium: 114 mg | Potassium: 186 mg | Fiber: 0.3 g | Sugar: 22.5 g | Calcium: 137 mg
Course : Condiment, Drinks
Cuisine : American
Did you make this recipe? Tag @fullofplants on Instagram and hashtag it #fullofplants
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  1. Harper Johnson

    December 14, 2022 at 6:14 am

    5 stars
    It was super good and had just the sweetness I like.
    Thank you! 😁

    Reply
  2. Tommy

    December 15, 2022 at 2:28 am

    5 stars
    Just tried it.
    It was delicious.
    Thank you and have a nice day!

    Reply
    • Thomas

      December 16, 2022 at 3:19 am

      Glad you liked this latte Tommy, thanks for your feedback!

      Reply
  3. Emy

    May 23, 2023 at 1:52 am

    5 stars
    It's excellent. My family loved it. Thank you Thomas.

    Reply
  4. Judith

    May 24, 2023 at 5:10 am

    Can I substitute the vegan butter for coconut oil?

    Reply
    • Thomas

      May 30, 2023 at 7:55 am

      I think it should work, although you will be missing on the buttery flavor.

      Reply

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