Creamy Homemade Vanilla Latte

I do love a coffee shop latte, but they’re so easy to make at home that I really should make my own more often. This vanilla latte is one of my favorites when I fancy something a little sweeter than my usual coffee.

There’s nothing fancy needed either. It’s basically espresso, vanilla syrup and hot frothy milk, with a bit of whipped cream on top if you’re in the mood for it.

It only takes a few minutes to put together, so it’s a nice one for a mid-morning coffee or an afternoon pick-me-up. And you can easily play around with the amount of vanilla until you get it exactly how you like it.

Equipment

• Espresso machine or coffee maker
• Microwave-safe jug
• Milk frother
• 2 latte glasses or mugs

Ingredients

• Milk – Use whichever milk you normally buy. Whole milk will give you a creamier latte, but any milk or milk alternative works.

• Vanilla syrup – This adds the sweetness and vanilla flavor. You can always add a little more if you like your coffee on the sweeter side.

• Espresso – You’ll need two shots for this recipe. If you prefer your latte a little less strong, you can cut this back.

• Whipped cream – Totally optional, but I like adding a swirl on top when I want my latte to feel a bit more like a coffee shop treat.

Recipe Instructions

Full measurements and cooking times can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Heat the milk in the microwave for about 2 minutes, or until hot.

Step 2: Froth the milk with a milk frother until it’s foamy and has doubled in size.

Step 3: Pour the espresso shots and vanilla syrup into your cup.

Step 4: Add the hot milk to the cup, reserving the foam.

Step 5: Spoon the foam on top.

Step 6: Finish with a swirl of whipped cream and enjoy!

What to Serve with a Vanilla Latte

A vanilla latte is lovely on its own, but I’m rarely going to say no to something sweet alongside my coffee! It works with pretty much any of your usual coffee break treats.

• Cookies – Chocolate chip, sugar cookies or even a simple shortbread are all good choices.

• Muffins – I love a muffin with coffee, especially blueberry, banana or chocolate chip.

• Cinnamon rolls – Perfect if you’re having your latte as a bit of a weekend treat.

• Banana bread – A thick slice of banana bread and a hot latte is always a good combination.

• Croissants or pastries – Great if you’re making this at breakfast time.

• Cake – Really, most cake works here! Vanilla, chocolate, coffee or a simple loaf cake would all be lovely.

Storing

A vanilla latte is definitely best made fresh, especially if you want to keep all that lovely frothy milk on top. Thankfully, it only takes a few minutes to make, so I tend to just make as much as I need at the time.

If you do have some left over, let it cool and pop it in the fridge in a covered container for up to 2 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave, then give the milk another quick froth before serving if you want to bring some of that foaminess back.

Variations & Substitutions

This is a really easy one to change depending on what you have in the kitchen or how you like your coffee. You can play around with the milk, syrup and toppings without really changing the recipe too much.

• Change the milk – Whole, skim, oat, almond or soy milk all work, so just use your favorite.

• Make it sweeter – Add another splash of vanilla syrup if you like a sweeter latte.

• Try a different syrup – Caramel, hazelnut or cinnamon syrup would all work instead of vanilla.

• Skip the whipped cream – I like it for a bit of a treat, but you definitely don’t need it.

• Add some cinnamon – A little sprinkle over the top is really nice with the vanilla.

• Make it iced – Let the espresso cool, skip heating the milk and pour everything over plenty of ice.

FAQs

Can I make a vanilla latte without an espresso machine?

Yes. Strong brewed coffee works if you don’t have an espresso machine. It won’t taste exactly the same as one made with espresso, but it’s still really good.

What is in a vanilla latte?

A vanilla latte is made with espresso, milk and vanilla syrup. I’ve also added whipped cream to this one, but you can leave that off if you prefer.

Can I make a vanilla latte with regular coffee?

You can. Make your coffee a little stronger than you normally would so the flavor doesn’t get lost once you add the milk.

What milk is best for a vanilla latte?

Whole milk gives you a lovely creamy latte and froths really well, but you can use pretty much any milk you like. Oat, almond and soy milk are all good options too.

Can I make this vanilla latte iced?

Yes! Let your espresso cool a little, then add the vanilla syrup and cold milk and pour it all over ice. There’s no need to heat the milk first.

How can I make my vanilla latte sweeter?

Just add a little more vanilla syrup. I’d add it a small amount at a time and taste as you go, as it can get very sweet quite quickly.

Do I need a milk frother to make a vanilla latte?

No. A frother makes it really easy to get that lovely foamy top, but you can still make the latte without one. The milk will just be less frothy.

How many shots of espresso are in a vanilla latte?

This recipe uses two shots of espresso and makes two servings. If you like a stronger coffee, you can easily add an extra shot.