Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Copycat Recipe

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If you enjoy caramelized latte then 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 then again we are talking about a Starbucks drink which can be a bit expensive. So come with me to learn how I make Starbucks Caramel Brulee latte at home without compromising with the taste.

So you might be wondering how Caramel Brulee is different from that of normal latte? Well, the top of this latte is covered with caramelized sugar, which adds that toasty, burnt, sugary flavour that usual lattes don’t have. I will be making the caramel sauce for caramelization from scratch so you will get to know how to make this in an easy way.

Homemade food and drinks always taste better and fresh, plus you get to have them whenever you want. This recipe is easily customizable so you can modify it as per 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 the 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 the caramel sauce from scratch, I am using a saucepan for this purpose.

Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Copycat Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve upto 1 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities as required for more or fewer servings.

2 oz Espresso: You can also use instant coffee for this recipe if you don’t want espresso or have an espresso machine.
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 (recipe below or store-bought toffee bits)
Brulée Topping (recipe below or store-bought toffee bits)

Caramel Brulée Sauce

¼ Cup Skim Milk Powder: If you don’t have skim milk powder, then use evaporated milk. To make evaporated milk at home, you simply need to heat the milk in a saucepan at low to medium heat until the thickness is reduced to half. Keep stirring it in between to prevent the milk from scorching.
1 Cup Hot Water
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
2 Teaspoon Vanilla

Caramel Brulée Topping

½ Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Tablespoon Water

Preparation & Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	10 Minutes	20 Minutes

How To Make Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte At Home

Step 1

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

Step 2

Now, pour one cup of milk to 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

With brulee recipes you will see a lot of people preferring to stir it vigorously but I don’t. I suggest you stir it a little too moderately or else it can make the brulee burn quickly or unevenly cooked.
Remember your Caramel Brulee latte is incomplete without the right milk texture. So avoid heating your milk at too high temperatures and steam it correctly to get the textures for your latte right.
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 then it is best to let it come down to room temperature first as colder milk will take longer time 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.
Some of the popular variations which I have tried at home are by adding ice to it to turn it into an iced latte. But to do this make sure the milk comes at room temperature first before you pour it into the glass.
While making the caramel sauce avoid adding any water to the mixture. This will ruin the taste of caramelized sugar which is something which you don’t want.
Another popular variation which you can try is by adding a pinch of flaky salt on the top which makes this salted caramel brulee.
When I am making the caramel brulee sauce I like to keep the heat at medium because high heat can burn the sauce which will taste bitter and poor in quality.
Although, creme brulee follows the traditional torching method, I do not follow it. 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 Carmale Brulee latte so watery?

Your caramel brulee latte can turn out to be watery if you are using too little espresso and not brewing it long enough. Also if the milk is not frothed properly then it would have a liquidy texture which makes the entire drink watery. Use coffee beans which 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, Caramel Brulee latte is also not a healthy option to enjoy. Being high in calories, this is something that 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	1410 Kcal
Carbohydrates	348 g
Protein	12 g
Fat	1 g
Saturated Fat	0.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.01 g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.1 g
Cholesterol	6 mg
Sodium	371 mg
Potassium	620 mg
Sugar	348 mg
IU Vitamin A	705 IU
Vitamin C	2 mg
Calcium	420 mg
Iron	0.3 mg

However, on the brighter note, this drink is vegetarian, soy and nut free. 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 planning to make this drink for your vegan friends then you need to use vegan 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 using regular whipped cream go for coconut whipped cream.
Diary Free Diet: For a diary 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, you can opt for 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 And Reheating This Recipe

Counter Top: Caramel Brulee latte tastes the best when you enjoy it right away. So I do not leave it on the counter top 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 air tight container.
Freezing: I would not recommend freezing this drink since it alters the taste and texture. However, if you leftover caramel sauce then you can freeze it for about 3 months in an air tight container.

Reheating

Since this does not refrigerate well, there is no need to reheat it. Even if you are using frozen caramel sauce then let it thaw till it comes down to room temperature and make your Caramel Brulee latte right away.

What To Serve With This Recipe

When I am having Caramel Brulee latte early in the morning I like to have this with Pastries or scones. You can also have this with a classic french toast or omelet.

Cinnamon Rolls and Garlic Bread are some of the other items which pair well with this recipe. Sides or Pretzels and Waffles also compliment this drink fairly.

Printable Version

More Starbucks Recipes That You Can Try

Starbucks Style Eggnog Latte Recipe — Starbucks Eggnog Latte

Delicious Starbucks Pumpkin Pie Smoothie — Starbucks Eggnog Latte

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 all the good things to say about this recipe. Keep me posted!

Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte Copycat Recipe

Equipment Required