Praline Latte – Starbucks Inspired Recipe

This Praline Latte is a tasty fall treat you can easily make at home. Enjoy all the flavor of buttery pralines with this easy Starbucks inspired recipe.

So it seems making Starbucks copycat recipes is my new hobby.  I’m not sure why I started but when I read last week that Starbucks was releasing their first new holiday drink flavor in years-the new Chestnut Praline Latte-I just knew I needed to create my own version.

If you’re a pumpkin spice latte or peppermint mocha fan, I think you’re going to love this new winter coffee flavor. It reminds me perfectly of the microwave pralines I make for gifting every holiday season. 

Why I love this recipe

The Starbucks version is made with a shot of espresso, steamed milk, caramelized chestnut flavor, whipped cream and praline crumble. Our at-home version skips the chestnut and focuses on the praline flavors and it needs just a few simple ingredients.

The good news is by focusing on the praline flavors and not the chestnut, this praline latte is super easy to make. Other recipes I’ve seen online require roasting your real chestnuts to make your own chestnut simple syrup and then a separate praline crumbs topping for the top.

Honestly, you’re probably better off spending your time and money just going to Starbucks or your favorite coffee shop rather than spending an hour and that much money making it at home.

Our delicious recipe takes just a few minutes to pull together and no chestnut roasting is required! I think your taste buds will thank you for trying this over your regular latte.

Ingredients

• brewed strong coffee
• unsalted butter
• light brown sugar
• vanilla extract
• milk 
• whipped cream and crushed pecans for topping if desired

Step by step

This recipe is fast and takes just a few simple steps.

1. Melting 4 tablespoons of UNSALTED (that’s important!) butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  This is one recipe that you can’t use margarine in-you’ll get an icky yellow separation if you do-don’t ask me how I know! 
2. When the butter is melted, add the light brown sugar. Continue to heat, stirring constantly, until boiling.  
3. Add the milk and heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Take this time to brew the coffee.
4. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract, stir.  Mix the milk mixture in a 1:1 ratio with the brewed coffee to make your latte-I like to top mine with frothed cream and pecan bits-it really tastes like pralines! 

Variations

• Starbucks uses chestnut syrup in its latte, if you want that distinctive flavor of roasted chestnuts I recommend this chestnut praline syrup.
• To make an iced latte allow the milk mixture and coffee to cool then serve over ice.
• For a creamier latte try whole milk or cut the milk in half and replace 1/2 cup with heavy cream.
• For a dairy free option substitute the milk with dairy-free milk options like almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or soy milk

Serving suggestions

If you’re looking for a tasty snack to go along with this delicious drink try our cinnamon roll coffee cake, butter pound cake, or Amish cinnamon bread. All complement the nutty flavor of sweet pralines perfectly.

For more Starbucks inspired recipes try my Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte or Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf!

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!