Some days… I just need a treat to get me through the day. This homemade cinnamon dolce latte recipe hits that sweet spot for meโ without going completely off the healthy eating lifestyle. There’s no reason to wait in the drive thru line again once you sip this homemade recipeโ it’s divine!
Better than Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Before I dive into the recipe, let’s talk about my first loveโ the Starbucks cinnamon dolce latte. In my 20’s, I spent my lunch break in line at Starbucks, ordering this drink every single day. It’s addictively sweet, perfectly caffeinated and packed with cinnamon. Yet aside from the wonderful caffeine, it contains: “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 consumableโ and it’s created in a factory. No bueno.
How to make a cinnamon dolce latte
To avoid those ingredients and make it even tastier, I created my own plant-based version that is amazing. Now, I am not even a huge fan of sweet coffee anymore (I prefer the Rawkstar Coffee method for my morning cup of joe)… yet this recipe has been calling my name around 2pm every day since I first made it.
To make this simply delicious latte:
- Start with the oat milk of your choice. I use oat milk for the high fat content, which makes it’s creamy and filling. You can make your own or buy a fun brand. Not all oat milk is created equally, so if you are buying one then make sure to read the ingredients.
- Add all the ingredients except for the espresso to a high-powered blender and blend for 4 minutes to heat up the mixture. 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. Pour the shot (or strong coffee) into a cup, then add the warmed oat milk mixture.
- Sprinkle with a little cinnamon on top, then enjoy!
Oat milk creates a creamy, frothy milk base. If you have a milk frother, you could use that instead of a blender to heat + froth the milk, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
What to know when making a latte
A latte is traditionally a shot of espresso mixed with hot milk. A cinnamon dolce latte is an espresso shot + hot milk + sweetener + cinnamon.
Easy! Pick your fav plant based milk and go for it. I prefer oat milk in my lattes because it is super creamy and froths nicely.
If you want to make your latte sugar free, use stevia or your go-to sugar free sweetener.
Using the right equipment as a home barista
High speed blender: This is the #1 piece of equipment for this recipe (and in my kitchen). The high speed allows it to heat up in just 4 minutes of blender. I blended with the Vitamix A3500 and their new Aer Disk Container that is designed to froth milk and muddle mojitos. (It’s not necessary to use this container to get a frothy latte).
If you don’t have a high speed blender, heat the oat milk to desired temperature on stovetop or microwave before adding to a standard blender.
Espresso Machine: I also used 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.
Different versions of this cinnamon dolce latte
I know that some like it hot, some like it cold, and some like it skinny… so I’ve got some variations to fit your preference!
Skinny Cinnamon Latte
The below 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 fav sugar-free sweetener and enjoy!
If you don’t wanna go sugar-free, yet want less sugar, then start with our base recipe and just decrease the coconut sugar from 2 Tbsp to 1 Tbsp. Add 2g monk fruit (or a dash of stevia.) Now your latte has only 12 grams of sugar! That’s what I like to call Plant Power!
Iced Cinnamon Latte
This recipe tastes amazing as an iced cinnamon dolce latte as well. 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 is really smooth) to enhance the coffee flavors.
Making coffee shop magic at home
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:
- Daily coffee, elevated
- Matcha latte
- Mocha smoothie
- Almond milk steamer
- Dalgona coffee
- Creamy lavender tea
- Golden milk
- Hot chocolate
What is your fav specialty drink to recreate at home? Leave a comment and let me know!
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Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Ingredients
- 6 oz oat milk
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 oz espresso shot, or 2 oz strong coffee
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except espresso) to blender.
- Blend on high for 4 minutes to heat the milk. If you don't have a high speed blender, you can heat the oat milk to desired temperature on stovetop or microwave before adding to the blender.
- Pull espresso shot (or instant coffee in notes) while milk is warming in blender.
- Add espresso shot to coffee mug and pour hot oat milk on top.
- Sprinkle with extra cinnamon.
Video
Notes
- If you don't have espresso machine, you can add 1 serving instant coffee to 2oz hot water.
- You can also heat the milk on stovetop or in a microwave before adding to the blender.
- Swap oat milk with any plant milk you want, just know the creaminess will vary based on the type of milk used.
- Swap coconut sugar with maple sugar, or go sugar free with raw stevia.
- If using instant coffee, know that you will taste it. So if you're picky, find a quality brand!ย
- You can also use cold brew coffee in place of an espresso shot, if you want this to be iced. In this case, only blend ingredients to combine, not to warm.
I don’t drink coffee very often so I made this with Dandy Blend. I used Elmhurst Milked Oats, pure maple syrup (don’t have coconut sugar), and pure vanilla extract (instead of vanilla bean powder). It was very good (albeit quite sweet) and I’d like to try it again with coconut sugar and vanilla bean powder.
Thank you, Jen, for giving us awesome plant-based alternatives for all of our favorite foods and drinks!
We can always count on Jen for the healthy alternatives hook-up! ๐
Got my oat milk to make this tomorrow morning. Can’t wait!
Woo hoo! Let us know how you like it! ๐
I could not find coconut sugar at the supermarket. Can I replace coconut sugar with another sugar?
Hi Daniel! You can sub raw honey or if you are looking for a vegan option, pure maple syrup or date sugar. ๐
Wow this is so very awesome! Thank you. I love it. I used Oatly Barista oat milk and Stok cold brew heated up because I donโt have an espresso machine. If mine was awesome, imagine how much better it is with espresso!
Way to be resourceful, Colleen! Glad you liked it. ๐
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate the alternative options! Where did you get your nifty grinder from?
I think I’ve realized that what I like about lattes is the texture of the milk, which has really opened me up to trying different plant-based alternatives. Looking forward to trying this version with oat milk! I doubt I’ll miss the dairy milk in it, and the pictures and video are awesome. Where can I get countertops like that?!?!
I bet this CDL with oat milk would taste delicious!
What a cute video. I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ll use my aeropress as I don’t have a fancy espresso machine… yet!
Sounds good, Rosalie! Let us know what you think after you try it. ๐
Can you tell me more about the vanilla bean?? I saw somewhere here that it’s vanilla bean powder? Is this something you purchase in store? hmmmm- I make look into an Aeropress to make this :). It looks yummy!
Hey Dana! You can buy vanilla bean powder online or you can make your own using a spice grinder.
The video was so fun and totally showed me that it was possible to make this. Since i don’t have espresso, I made a strong cup of french press and poured 1/3 cup into the mug. It turned out really well. I like my coffee sweet, so the 2 TBS coconut sugar was spot on. It’s crazy how much this reminded me of the CDL at Starbucks, but def felt more decadent and healthy making it at home. I truly felt like I just treated myself and might make this a weekly event. Thanks Jen for the recipe… and happy Mother’s Day to you and your family.
So glad you enjoyed the drink and it’s great to know you can make it even if you don’t have espresso!
This is excellent and thank you for the latte recipe!!
I used only 1T coconut sugar and is plenty sweet.
Glad you like it and for the folks who like their coffee drinks less sweet, that’s a great tip! ๐