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Some days, I just need a treat to get me through the day. This homemade cinnamon dolce latte recipe hits that “2pm treat” for me while still getting some nourishment from the dairy-free oat milk and natural sweetener. Skip the drive-thru and savor this delightful, guilt-free Starbucks copycat latte instead—it’s divine!
Serving a crowd or just treating yourself? My Homemade Hot Chocolate feels like a hug in a mug, and Warm Almond Milk is a lighter, gentler way to wind down. See my non-alcoholic fall drinks for more cozy options.
Table of Contents
Better than Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Before I dive into the recipe, let’s talk about my first love—the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Cinnamon dolce means “cinnamon sweet,” which essentially has a brown sugar flavoring. In my 20’s, I spent my lunch break in line at Starbucks, ordering this drink every single day. Yes. Every single day.
It’s addictively sweet, perfectly caffeinated and packed with cinnamon. Yet aside from the wonderful caffeine, the dolce syrup and whipped cream contain: “natural flavors, carrageenan, potassium sorbate, cane syrup, citric acid and diglycerides.”
The more I embrace a plant-based diet, the less I want to put ingredients like that in my body. None of that is real food…it’s processed to become consumable—and it’s created in a factory. No bueno. That’s why I decided to make my own homemade version.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Oat Milk: Creamy, plant-based milk that adds a smooth and dairy-free base to the latte. Opt for unsweetened varieties to avoid added sugars.
- Coconut Sugar: A natural sweetener with a subtle caramel flavor to enhance the drink’s sweetness and healthier than white sugar. Look for organic coconut sugar. You can also use maple syrup or honey.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds depth and a warm, sweet aroma. Choose pure vanilla extract over imitation for a richer flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a cozy spice flavor, essential to the cinnamon dolce profile. I like to grind my own cinnamon sticks. You can purchase them whole at your local grocery store and grind them at home.
- Espresso Shot or Strong Coffee: The bold coffee base balances the sweetness and spice and gives you a big boost of energy. Choose high-quality, freshly roasted beans; fair trade and organic options are excellent choices.
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How to Make a Cinnamon Dolce Latte
These days I am not even a huge fan of sweet coffee anymore (I prefer this unsweetened healthy coffee recipe more than anything)… yet this cinnamon dolce latte recipe has been hitting the spot lately.
Here’s my instructions to make this:
- Start with an oat milk brand of your choice. I like to use oat milk with the highest fat content (aka barista blend), which makes it creamy and filling. If you’ve got time and feeling adventurous, you can make your own oat milk.
- Add all the cinnamon dolce latte ingredients (except for the espresso) to a high-powered blender and blend for 4 minutes to heat up the mixture (yes, your blender can heat up your latte). I use my Vitamix and their new Aer Disk Container that is designed to froth milk. If you don’t have a high-powered blender, then heat the oat milk on the stove (or microwave) before adding to the blender.
- While blending, pull the espresso shot (or make the instant coffee concentrate with 2 oz of hot water). Pour the shot (or strong coffee) into a mug, then add the warmed oat milk mixture. I use my Rancilio Silva Espresso Machine to pull espresso shots (we take coffee very seriously in my home). You can also use an Aeropress or high quality instant coffee in about 2 ounces of hot water to create an “espresso alternative.” Feel free to use decaf beans if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
- Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, then enjoy!
How to Froth Milk
Blending milk in a high-speed blender creates a natural froth on the top. You can also use a handheld whisk, milk frother, hand mixer or a steam wand to froth the warm milk and create that nice foamy top layer to sip and enjoy.
Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte Variation
The below cinnamon dolce recipe is for a traditional Cinnamon Dolce Latte, yet can easily be adjusted to become a “skinny version” if you’re watching your blood sugar levels or have a dietary concern. Just swap out the coconut sugar with your favorite sugar-free sweetener of choice and enjoy!
If you don’t wanna go sugar-free, yet want less sugar, then start with our base recipe and just decrease the the amount of coconut sugar (or omit completely). You could also swap coconut sugar for a dash of monk fruit or stevia if you use those.
Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte Variation
This recipe also tastes amazing as an iced cinnamon dolce latte. Put it all directly into a mason jar (no blender needed), add ice and a lid. Give it a good shake and you’re ready to enjoy. You could even swap out the espresso for concentrated cold brew (Stumptown cold brew is really smooth) to enhance the coffee flavors.
Common Questions
A latte is traditionally a shot of espresso mixed with hot milk. A cinnamon dolce latte is an espresso shot, hot milk, sweetener and cinnamon that became famous when Starbucks added it to their menu.
Replace cow’s milk 1:1 with your favorite non-dairy milk in any latte. I prefer oat milk in my lattes because it is super creamy and froths the best. You can also use almond milk, cashew milk and coconut milk to create a nice vegan latte.
If you want to make your low calorie latte, use stevia, monkfruit or your go-to sugar-free sweetener. If you prefer to stay more natural, just decrease or omit the sweetener completely and enjoy the subtle natural sweetness that comes from the cinnamon and oat.
More Homemade Coffee Shop Recipes
I love a good, cozy coffee shop and often seek out new places to try when traveling. Yet making your fav drinks at home is often less expensive, healthier, and fun! Here are a few recipes to try:
- Matcha latte: Hot or cold this is a great natural pick-me-up.
- Rich coffee smoothie: I love when smoothies and natural energy combine in this delicious ‘energy drink’.
- Dalgona coffee: This is more than just a trend, it’s an incredible way to enjoy a cup of joe.
- Golden milk: A coffee alternative to soothe inflammation.
- Chai Tea Latte: My go-to winter beverage.
What is your fav specialty drink to recreate at home? Leave a comment and let me know!
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Jen HansardVideo
Ingredients
- 6 ounce oat milk
- 2 tablespoon coconut sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ground
- 2 ounce espresso shot or 2 oz strong coffee
Instructions
- Combine the oat milk, coconut sugar, vanilla and cinnamon in a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 4 minutes to heat the milk. (If you don’t have a high-speed blender, warm the oat milk on the stovetop or in the microwave before blending.)
- While the milk heats, pull the espresso shot or brew the strong coffee.
- Pour the espresso into a mug and top with the hot oat milk. Sprinkle with more cinnamon and serve.
Recipe Notes
- Coffee Swap: Stir 1 serving of instant coffee into 2 ounces of hot water in place of espresso. Choose a good-quality instant coffee, since you will taste it.
- Ingredient Swaps: Any plant milk works in place of the oat milk, though the creaminess will vary. Maple sugar can stand in for the coconut sugar.
- Iced Latte: Use cold brew in place of the espresso and blend just to combine instead of heating. Serve over ice.
- Storing: Best fresh, but leftover latte keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. Shake, then reheat gently on the stovetop or pour over ice.
Nutrition
Equipment
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I love the method of using the blender to heat the milk! I used moka pot espresso and homemade unstrained oat milk. For sweetness I used a combination of dates and maple syrup.