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Those that know me well, know that I’m obsessed with that perfect cup of coffee. My mornings don’t start until I have my favorite latte in hand. So when my favorite coffee shop closed it’s doors near me several years ago, I knew I had to figure out a way to continue enjoying my favorite coffee house drink, a caramel macchiato, at home.
Espresso and milk is the base for most coffee house drinks, the hard part is figuring out what ratio you like best. But I was determined to figure it out. The hint of vanilla paired with the sweet delicousness of caramel continues to call my name.
Making a Caramel Macchiato at home is easier than one would think. Like I mentioned, it is all about figuring out what ratio of espresso, milk, and sweetness that you prefer. I’m constantly switching it up in my kitchen. Some days I like a bold, intense espresso flavor to get me going while others I prefer a sweeter sip.
An espresso machine is a must in my opinion and so is the use of espresso roast coffee. This intense blend of coffee adds that “coffee house” flavor to the beverage that really makes it stand out against all other coffee. Whether you pick up the espresso blend of your favorite coffee shop brand or a more budget-friendly alternative from the grocery store, espresso is called espresso because it gives your at home latte’, cappuccino, or in our case caramel macchiato that unique coffee shop taste.
Why an espresso machine?
There is something unique about how an espresso machine is able to extract that pure, intense coffee flavor from the finely ground beans that just can’t be achieved from a coffee maker. Some espresso machines can be very expensive and overly elaborate. But a simple espresso machine is really all you need. You can find a budget-friendly espresso machine in stores or online. You might even luck up and find one at a garage sale or thrift shop. Once you learn how to make espresso, the machine really doesn’t matter as long as it produces espresso. I’ve had several machines throughout the years. My current favorite is one I found at a thrift shop for only $5.
How to make a Caramel Macchiato at home. Rich coffee, steamed milk, and homemade vanilla syrup you are minutes away from a delicous coffee house favorite.
- 1 1/2 cups steamed whole milk
- 1/8 cup espresso
- 2 1/2 tbsp vanilla simple syrup *
- Drizzel: Caramel Ice cream Topping
- Extra Creamy Whipped Cream
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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Using an electric milk frother or milk frothing attachment on your espresso machine, steam the whole milk until hot.
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Pour the hot, steamed milk into a large coffee cup.
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Brew espresso roasted coffee according to the direction of your espresso machine.
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Once brewed, add 1/8 cup of hot espresso to the steamed milk. (add more or less espresso to taste depending on how strong of a coffee flavor you prefer, but start out with less and slowly add a little bit at a time as espresso is very strong).
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Then, add the vanilla simple syrup to taste (again more or less depending on your desired level of sweetness).
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Stir until combined.
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Top with extra creamy whipped cream if you desire. Drizzle the caramel ice cream topping in a zig zag pattern on top of the whipped cream.
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Serve hot and enjoy carefully.
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In a small saucepan, heat sugar and water until boiling. Stirring constantly.
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Once the mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat.
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Add Vanilla Extract. Stir well.
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Set aside until cooled completely.
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Store in a squeeze bottle or mason jar with pump lid attachment in the fridge.
In this recipe, I used caramel ice cream topping because it is a thick caramel sauce that can easily be found at the grocery store. All you need is a tiny bit drizzled over top of your finished drink. Caramel ice cream topping is different from caramel syrup in it’s consistency. To top our coffee house drink, we definitely want the thicker sauce. For the ever popular salted caramel macchiato, choose a salted caramel ice cream topping instead of regular caramel.
Check out my favorite kitchen gadgets for stay-at-home chefs on Amazon.
Making your own coffee house inspired drinks at home is all about figuring out your personal taste. Use this recipe as a start and adjust it to your own personal preferences. Before you know it, you’ll be sipping on your own custom, delicious, coffee shop inspired beverage that’s a bit more budget-friendly and a lot more convenient than a trip down the street.
What is your favorite coffee house drink?
If you love coffee, you’ll want to check out our other coffee recipes like:
I made this recipe today and it is delicious!!
Awesome!!! I used the recipe and it tastes like the real thing. My wife and I are really enjoying the taste and the convenience. Thank you have saved much time and money$$$
That’s great, Jeff! Thanks for coming back to the blog and sharing how it turned out.
How long does the simple syrup recipe stay good for? Would you store it in the fridge?
Yes definitely store the simple syrup in the fridge. Mine has stayed good for several weeks. However there could be a variety of factors that would cause it to go bad. If you notice a change in color, smell, or see mold, definitely discard it and make a new batch.