Sugar Cookie Latte

If you like to make your coffee extra sweet, this sugar cookie latte recipe is for you. Made with bold espresso, your choice of steamed milk and a homemade sugar cookie syrup, it’s a lusciously creamy and sweet coffee drink that will fool you into thinking you’re eating cookies for breakfast.

If you’ve never ventured into making flavored syrups before, don’t fret: It’s a super easy process that can be perfected in minutes. What we love most about making homemade syrups for lattes is that most recipes make enough for several drinks. Simply make the syrup, store it in the refrigerator and you can make a delicious flavored latte anytime a caffeine craving strikes. An added bonus? You’ll likely save a few bucks making your flavored lattes at home.

Our sugar cookie latte syrup in particular is made with a blend of extracts you likely already have stocked in your pantry or can otherwise pick up in the baking aisle at any major supermarket. Once you’ve secured all three extracts, get ready to enjoy the best latte you’ve ever had outside a coffeehouse.

Ingredients for a Sugar Cookie Latte

• Sugar: To make a sweet coffee syrup that tastes just like a sugar cookie, you’ll use a 50/50 blend of regular granulated white sugar and brown sugar (for a hint of molasses flavor).
• Extracts: For the best sugar cookie coffee syrup, choose pure vanilla extract and good quality almond and butter extracts for the best taste. This trio of flavorings infuses the syrup with the sweet, nutty, rich flavor of a homemade sugar cookie.
• Espresso: A grande sugar cookie latte at Starbucks typically contains two shots of espresso, but if you’re like us and enjoy your lattes with more oomph, go ahead and add three shots to your homemade latte. Make sure to use grounds from your favorite espresso beans for the best flavor.
• Milk of choice: Whole or 2% milk is the best milk to use for lattes, as either yields the richest taste and the creamiest texture when steamed and frothed. You can, of course, opt for skim milk if you prefer, or try one of these nondairy milk alternatives.
• Rainbow sprinkles: These are an optional but fun and festive finish to your latte that will make you feel like a real barista garnishing drinks at your favorite coffeehouse.

Directions

Step 1: Make the syrup

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In a small saucepan, combine the water, brown sugar and granulated sugar to make a simple syrup. Bring it to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer over medium-low heat. Continue to cook until the sugars have dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly, two to three minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the vanilla extract, almond extract and butter extract, and let the syrup cool completely.

Step 2: Brew the espresso and combine with the syrup

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Add 2 tablespoons of the cooled sugar cookie syrup to a large mug. Brew your espresso and pour it over the syrup. Stir to combine.

Editor’s Tip: Feel free to add a little extra syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink.

Step 3: Add the steamed milk and sip away

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Heat and froth the milk until foamy, and pour it over the sweetened espresso. Garnish with rainbow sprinkles, if desired.

Editor’s Tip: If you don’t own an espresso machine (we love the Breville Bambino Plus in particular) and are not ready to invest in one, you can still make barista-quality latte creations at home with an affordable handheld milk frother and a stovetop Moka pot. Together, they’ll cost you under $75 (which is around the price of 10 grande lattes at Starbucks!).

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Sugar Cookie Latte Variations

• Snickerdoodle cookie latte: Add a cinnamon stick to the sugar and water mixture as it simmers on the stovetop for a spiced snickerdoodle syrup that embodies snickerdoodle cookies. Then, finish with the extracts and prepare the latte as directed. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
• Iced shaken sugar cookie espresso: Pull your espresso shots and pour them into a Mason jar filled with ice. Add 2 tablespoons of the sugar cookie coffee syrup (or more, if you like) and seal the jar with the lid. Shake vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds or until frothy. Open the jar, and then top the mixture with your desired milk. Add a straw for sipping and enjoy.
• Boozy sugar cookie latte recipe: For a boozy Christmas cocktail variation, spike your latte with 1 ounce vanilla vodka, spiced rum, RumChata or amaretto.

How to Store Sugar Cookie Syrup

This recipe will make enough sugar cookie syrup to make several lattes. Store the extra syrup in the refrigerator in an airtight food storage container with a lid. A Mason jar would be perfect.

How long does sugar cookie syrup last?

The shelf life of homemade flavored syrups will vary depending on the sugar-to-water ratio. This particular recipe uses a 1:1 ratio (equal parts sugar to water), so it will last up to one month in the refrigerator.

Sugar Cookie Latte Tips

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Can you use regular coffee for a sugar cookie latte recipe?

Yes! If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can still make a stellar sugar cookie latte recipe using strongly brewed coffee instead. For all our best tips, read this guide on how to make a latte without an espresso machine.

How can you make a sugar cookie latte with instant espresso?

While nothing tops the taste of a freshly pulled espresso shot made with high-quality espresso beans, sometimes instant coffee or espresso is your only option. To learn how to make a sugar cookie latte with instant espresso, follow the package directions for making a shot of espresso. (Don’t forget to make a triple batch!) Then, add the prepared sugar cookie coffee syrup to the instant espresso, stir and top with frothed milk.

What can you serve with a sugar cookie latte?

Enjoy this sugar cookie coffee drink with your favorite breakfast pastry or copycat Starbucks recipe. In the evening, a platter of homemade sugar cookies would also be a wonderful pairing. Who says you can’t eat your sugar cookies and drink them too?