Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Copycat Recipe

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If you enjoy a caramelized latte, then the Starbucks Caramel Brulee latte has to be your top pick. I recently discovered it, and I cannot get over this. It is creamy, sugary, refreshing, and definitely unique.

But we are talking about a Starbucks drink, which can be a bit expensive. So come with me to learn how I make a Starbucks Caramel Brulee latte at home without compromising on the taste.

So you might be wondering how Caramel Brulee differs from a regular latte? Well, the top of this latte is covered with caramelized sugar, which adds that toasty, burnt, sugary flavor that usual lattes don’t have. I will be making the caramel sauce from scratch, so you will learn how to make it easily.

This recipe is easily customizable, so you can adjust it to your taste. Also, it requires only 10 minutes prep time, making it an easy drink to enjoy often in the morning.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Espresso Maker: To brew espresso, I use my handy-dandy espresso maker.
Microwave: I am using a microwave to heat up the milk, but you can also use a saucepan for this part.
Frother: To mix everything well, I keep my frother with me.
Mallet: To break the caramelized sauce, I am using a mallet, but you can also use a knife to cut it off.
Heat-Proof Glass: To pour the final drink, I use a heatproof glass.
Saucepan: Since I am making caramel sauce from scratch, I am using a saucepan.

Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe are enough for 1 person. You can increase or decrease the quantities as required for more or fewer servings.

2 oz Espresso: You can also use instant coffee in this recipe if you don’t have an espresso machine or want espresso.
2 oz Caramel Brulée Sauce: You can also use vanilla syrup for this recipe.
1 Cup 2% Milk or dairy/non-dairy alternative of your choice
Whipped Cream, For Topping
Caramel Brulée Topping

For Caramel Brulée Topping

½ Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Tablespoon Water

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	–	10 Minutes

How To Make a Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte At Home

Step 1

Take a shot of espresso in a glass and add Caramel Brulée Sauce.

Step 2

Now, pour one cup of milk into the mixture and stir it well.

Step 3

Top the Caramel Brulee with whipped cream and caramel toffee bits. Your Starbucks Caramel Brulee is ready to serve.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

In brulee recipes, you will see a lot of people stirring it vigorously, but I don’t. I suggest you stir it a little, but moderately, or else it can burn quickly or become unevenly cooked.
Remember, your Caramel Brulee latte is incomplete without the right milk texture. So avoid heating your milk to too high a temperature and steam it properly to get the right texture for your latte.
Another thing to remember is that this drink is highly customizable. I always adjust the taste of the caramel sauce and espresso as per my liking and mood.
If you are using refrigerated milk, it is best to let it come to room temperature first, as colder milk takes longer to heat and does not give the best results.
Don’t worry if you don’t have an espresso machine to make the espresso. In that case, you can use strong brewed coffee for this recipe.
While making the caramel sauce, avoid adding any water to the mixture. This will ruin the taste of caramelized sugar, which is something you don’t want.
When I am making the caramel brulee sauce, I like to keep the heat at medium because high heat can burn the sauce, making it bitter and of poor quality.
Although crème brûlée uses the traditional torching method, I do not. I am following the easy way of caramelizing it and then breaking it into pieces. But you can always use the torch to make the brulee if you are familiar with it.

FAQs on Caramel Brulee Latte

Why is your Caramel Brulee Latte so bitter in taste?

Your caramel brulee latte will turn out to be bitter if you have burnt the sugar. This happens when you are cooking the sugar for a long period of time which eventually burns it. Keep a close eye on the brulee to prevent it from burning which will give off that bitter taste. Also, over extracted espresso can be one of the other reasons why your caramel brulee has turned out to be so bitter.

Why is your caramel sauce grainy in texture?

Your caramel sauce will be grainy in texture if you are vigorously stirring it. This causes the sugar to crystallize without giving it ample amount of time to dissolve in the sauce. Eventually these crystalized forms appear as grains in the sauce. Also if you are adding the cream too early then this can also make the sauce grainy in texture.

How do you determine if your caramel sauce is ready?

You will know your caramel sauce is ready when it turns a little dark brown to amberish in colour. It should have a thick texture and should smell sweet and a little bitter in taste. To double check if your caramel sauce is ready or not you can also use a candy thermometer for this purpose.

Can I make this caramel brulee latte caffeine-free?

Yes you can make this caramel brulee latte caffeine free. To do this use a decaf espresso or decaf coffee and add it to your latte.

Why has your Caramel Brulee latte turned out to be lumpy?

Cramael Brulee latte turns out to be lumpy if you have overheated the milk. This causes the proteins in the milk to break out which creates a lump like structure.

Why is your caramel brulee latte so watery?

Your caramel brulee latte can turn out watery if you use too little espresso and don’t brew it long enough. Also, if the milk is not frothed properly, it will have a liquid texture, making the entire drink watery. Use coffee beans that are not too coarse and froth the milk properly to get the exact latte texture at home.

Why did your Caramel Brulee latte separate?

Your caramel brulee latte will separate if the milk is steamed hot. This causes the proteins in the milk to separate. Another reason can be letting your steamed milk sit for too long before adding it to the espresso. Try to be quick with the process. Also if the milk is not mixed properly then it could separate from the espresso as well.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Just like every other delicious drink out there, a caramel brulee latte isn’t a healthy option. High in calories, this should be consumed in moderation. Well, if you don’t believe me, then have a look at the nutrition chart below to get an idea:

Calories	138 kcal
Carbohydrates	23 g
Protein	4 g
Fat	4 g
Saturated Fat	2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	15 mg
Sodium	149 mg
Potassium	210 mg
Sugar	23 mg
Vitamin A	225 IU
Vitamin C	0.2 mg
Calcium	165 mg

However, on a brighter note, this drink is vegetarian. Hence, people following those diets can enjoy this without any restrictions. On the other hand, people following vegan, keto, and gluten-free diets need to make certain changes first.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: If you are making this drink for your vegan friends, use plant-based milk. Cashew milk, unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk should be your choice of milk for this drink. Also, instead of regular whipped cream, use coconut whipped cream.
Dairy-Free Diet: For a dairy-free version of Caramel Brulee Starbucks, you need to go for plant-based milk. I like to use oat milk or almond milk as they froth better. You can also use coconut milk for this recipe.
Gluten-Free Diet: To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free caramel sauce.
Keto-Free Diet: For a keto-friendly caramel brulee latte, I like to go for whole milk, one pump of whipped cream, and a few bits of caramel brulee sauce to prevent higher sugar intake.

Storing This Recipe

Countertop: Caramel Brulee latte tastes the best when you enjoy it right away. So I do not leave it on the countertop for more than 20 minutes.
Refrigeration: Unfortunately, Caramel Brulee latte cannot be refrigerated. Refrigeration destroys the taste and texture of this drink. However, if you have leftover caramel sauce, then you can refrigerate it for about 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Freezing: I would not recommend freezing this drink since it alters the taste and texture. However, if you have leftover caramel sauce, then you can freeze it for about 3 months in an airtight container.

What To Serve With This Recipe

When I have a Caramel Brulee latte early in the morning, I like to have it with Pastries or scones. You can also have this with classic French toast or an omelet.

Cinnamon Rolls and Garlic Bread are other items that pair well with this recipe. Sides or Pretzels and Waffles also complement this drink fairly well.

Printable Version

More Starbucks Recipes That You Can Try

Delicious Starbucks Pumpkin Pie Smoothie — Starbucks Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte — Starbucks Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Conclusion

No more wasting your precious time standing in a long queue early in the morning. This recipe is creamy with ooey, gooey caramel sauce and has the perfect balance of sweetness and caffeine.

This sweet beverage gives me the kick I want early in the morning. Needless to say, it also helps me save my money, which I can’t complain about. If you are a Starbucks fan, just like me, and more so if you are a creme brulee latte fan, then this recipe is a must-try.

Give it a try and let me know how it turned out for you, because I am sure you have plenty of good things to say about this recipe. Keep me posted!

Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Copycat Recipe

Equipment Required