Skip the coffee shop and make this Starbucks Caramel Brûlée Latte in the comfort of your own home! Made with rich espresso, steamed milk, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and crunchy caramel brulée topping, it's just like your Starbucks favorite, but better!
If you love this recipe, check out Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, Lotus Biscoff Latte, and Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso next!
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Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte
This latte is easy to make at home with just a handful of simple ingredients. Once you make the caramel candy, keep it in a jar in your pantry and use it whenever you like! It's even delicious sprinkled on Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream. I also love that this recipe is:
- Better than Starbucks! Make your favorite seasonal drink any time of year.
- Save money! Skip the coffee shop prices and make it at home.
- Easily customizable! Adjust the sweetness and make it exactly how you like.
Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Caramel sauce. I used Torani caramel syrup, but you could also use dulce de leche, regular caramel syrup, or homemade caramel sauce.
- Vanilla simple syrup. I made vanilla syrup from a 2:1 mixture of water and white sugar.
- Espresso. I made espresso with Starbucks' Signature espresso coffee beans. You can also use prepared strong coffee or instant espresso.
- Milk. I used regular milk, but you could also use 1% milk, nonfat milk, whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream. You could also use oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk. The less fat the milk has, the foamier it gets.
- Caramel Brulee bits. I made homemade caramel candy bits with white sugar, but you could also use cane sugar. Feel free to use crushed toffee, a crushed Skor bar, or toffee bits from the Bulk Barn.
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
How to make a Starbucks caramel brulée latte at home
This recipe makes one serving of 354 mL (Tall size). If making Venti size, double all of the ingredients.
Step 1: Make vanilla simple syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine water and white sugar. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat.
- Whisk in vanilla extract and pour into a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Step 2: Make the caramel brulee topping
- Add white sugar to a medium saucepan. Cook over low-medium heat for 1-2 minutes until it melts and turns golden brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Carefully pour the caramel evenly onto the baking sheet, using the back of a spoon to spread it thinly. Let it harden for 5 minutes, then crush the caramel into small pieces. Be careful; the small shards are very sharp.
Tip: As soon as it melts, remove it from the heat. It goes from just melted to burnt in an instant. Do not let it boil! (Yes, I am speaking from experience). 🙂
Step 3: Froth the milk
This can be done in a couple of different ways, depending on what kind of tools you have in your kitchen.
- If you have a milk frother that also heats, froth the milk until hot.
- Add the milk to a small saucepan, heat over medium-high heat, and whisk constantly until frothy and steaming.
Step 4: Assemble the caramel brulee latte
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of caramel sauce to the bottom of a mug.
- Pour a shot of espresso on top of the sauce and add vanilla simple syrup. Mix with a fork, small whisk, or milk frother.
- Pour the frothed milk on top of the espresso.
- Top with whipped cream, a light caramel drizzle, and a sprinkle of candied Brulee topping. The candy will melt into the whipped cream.
Top tips
- Watch the sugar! When making the brulée topping, it can go from perfect to burnt in seconds.
- Temperature matters. Use hot espresso and hot milk for the best results.
- Perfect foam. Pour milk slowly to keep the foam on top.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less vanilla simple syrup.
- Make ahead. Prepare vanilla syrup and brulée topping in advance for quick assembly.
Variations
- Salted Caramel: Sprinkle sea salt over the caramel topping.
- Mocha Brulée: Add a pump of chocolate syrup.
- Extra Rich: Use half-and-half instead of milk.
- Dairy-Free: Use oat milk and coconut whipped cream.
- Iced: Use cooled espresso and cold milk in a tall glass with ice cubes for an iced latte.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, the caramel brûlée latte is a seasonal drink available at Starbucks during the winter months of November to January.
A Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte is a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk, and caramel brulee sauce. It is then topped with whipped cream and crunchy caramel brûlée bits.
Yes! Use strongly brewed coffee or instant espresso powder instead.
Non-fat milk creates the most foam, while whole milk creates a richer, creamier drink.
It is, but you can adjust the amount of vanilla syrup and caramel sauce to control sweetness.
More Starbucks copycat recipes
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Printable Recipe
Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte
Ingredients
Vanilla Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel Brulee Candy
- ½ cup sugar
Caramel Brulee Coffee
- 1-2 tablespoon caramel sauce plus extra for drizzling
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 tablespoon vanilla simple syrup
- ½ cup milk heated and frothed
- whipped cream for topping
- 1 teaspoon caramel Brulee candied bits
Instructions
Make the Vanilla Simple Syrup
- Heat water and white sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
Make the Caramel Brulee topping
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Add white sugar to a small saucepan. Cook sugar in a small saucepan over low-medium heat for 1-2 minutes until the sugar melts and turns golden brown, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
- Pour the caramel evenly onto the baking sheet, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon the best you can so that it is in a thin layer. Let cool for 5 minutes. When hardened, carefully crush the caramel into small pieces.
Assemble The Caramel Brulee Latte
- Combine caramel sauce in the bottom of a mug with espresso and vanilla simple syrup.
- Pour the frothed milk on top of the espresso, keeping the foam on top.
- Top with whipped cream, a light caramel drizzle, and a sprinkle of candied Brulee topping. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
- Heat and froth the milk while you are making the espresso. You want to add everything while it is hot.
- Pour the steamed milk in slowly so the foam stays on top.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less vanilla simple syrup.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
**This recipe was originally published on November 12, 2022. I recently updated it with more information, helpful tips, and new pictures on February 1, 2025, but the recipe remains the same.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
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