‘Tis the time of the year for all things sweet and decadent, starting with this Salted Caramel Brulee Latte! If you love fancy coffee as much as I do, you have to add this one to your list. It’s rich and flavorful and 10 times better than any coffee shop (you know which one!). 

A Salted Caramel Brulee Latte is a classic holiday drink and the perfect way to celebrate the season. Curl up with a good book and this incredible latte and enjoy some holiday cheer!

The Best Salted Caramel Brulee Latte

If you know me, you know I love a good coffee. I don’t always indulge in drinks that are on the sweet side, but this Salted Caramel Brulee Latte is indulgent without being overly sweet. Plus, there are no artificial flavors or colors–much better than what you can buy.

This delectable latte comes together with strong espresso, salted caramel sauce, vanilla milk, caramel whipped cream, and the perfect crunchy brulee bits topping. 

In our house, we take our espresso seriously and only the best flies! That’s why I’ve partnered with Calphalon to bring you this fantastic Salted Caramel Brulee Latte  recipe. I used their NEW Compact Espresso Machine and I’m officially OBSESSED. It’s sleek and space saving design is perfect for smaller kitchens and it looks just as great as the espresso tastes. It’s intuitive and easy to use and I’m never going back to a life without it!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life? Head to the Calphalon Amazon Brand Store to browse their coffee and espresso collections.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Delicious & Decadent – This Salted Caramel Brulee Latte is absolute perfection! It’s sweet and decadent without being over the top and only requires a handful of real and quality ingredients. This is a recipe you’ll turn to over and over again whether it’s the holiday season or not. 

Better than the Coffee Shop – Please stop paying $5 for a latte! When you make your Salted Caramel Brulee Latte at home, you get to make it exactly to your tastes. After you try this recipe, you’ll never want to head to that mermaid-themed coffee shop again.

Economical – While an espresso machine is an investment, it pays dividends for so long! If I racked up every $5 latte I’ve purchased this year, I could probably buy two espresso machines. The ingredients are cost effective and you’ll never wait in a long line for coffee again.

How to Make a Salted Caramel Brulee Latte

You’re going to be shocked at how simple this recipe is to put together! You only need a handful of ingredients and the brulee topping is so easy to make.

Tools Needed

• Calphalon Compact Espresso Machine
• Calphalon 1 quart saucepan
• Whisk
• Mixing Bowl

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Sugar
• Vanilla Bean Paste
• Salted Caramel Sauce (store bought or homemade)
• 2% Milk
• Espresso
• Heavy Cream
• Flaky Sea Salt

The Process

1. Make the brulee topping: In a small saucepan (nonstick or stainless steel works best) melt the sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is melted and a nice amber color. Pour the melted sugar over a parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Wait until the sugar has hardened, then use a rolling pin to break the sugar up into smaller pieces. 
2. Make the whipped cream. Combine the heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of salted caramel and a little vanilla. Whip until soft peaks form and set aside. 
3. Steam the milk. Combine the vanilla bean paste and milk and steam, using the steaming wand of an espresso machine or a frother, until hot and foamy. Set aside. 
4. Pull the espresso shots: Measure 15g of finely ground espresso into the portafilter (handled pod holder) and gently tamp it down. Pull a double shot of espresso through your machine into a mug. 
5. Stir in the caramel. Stir 2-3 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce into the espresso and then pour in the steamed milk. Stir to combine and top with the caramel whipped cream, brulee topping, and a bit more salted caramel sauce.

Tips for Making the Perfect Salted Caramel Brulee Latte

Don’t let making your own Salted Caramel Brulee Latte intimidate you! Making espresso and coffee at home is an experience and if you follow my tips, you’ll be whipping up drinks like a barista pro.

1. Don’t use fat-free milk. If you’re going in for a nice coffee, go all in! Fat-free and 1% milk just doesn’t have the right texture. I always use 2% or whole milk for best results.
2. Steam the milk first. Coming from a former Starbucks barista, you don’t want your espresso shot sitting around while you take several minutes to steam your milk. Having your milk, caramel, and brulee bits ready to go makes the process so much smoother. 
3. Don’t let melting sugar intimidate you! Always be cautious when working with melted sugar, but don’t let it freak you out! Take your time with melting the sugar (it may take a few minutes before you see any melting or progress at all). Keep an eye on it and don’t let it burn or get past a deep amber color. You’ll have perfect melted sugar every time and it’s the first step in making caramel sauce at home.
4. Don’t skimp on the salt. This is not one of those instances where you can just use table or kosher salt. Definitely invest in the good flaky sea salt, like maldon. I always have it on hand and use it to finish dishes or season sliced steak right before eating.
5. Don’t let your milk get too hot. Milk curdles past a certain point so make sure to steam your milk to the 150-160 F range for perfect results. 

Pulling the Perfect Espresso Shot

Making great espresso is a science, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating! Here are my best tips for pulling the perfect shot of espresso for your Salted Caramel Brulee Latte. 

• Always use fresh coffee. I never buy my coffee pre-ground! I buy beans and then grind a bit whenever I want espresso. This may sound excessive, but it truly produces the best tasting espresso.
• Grind the espresso fine enough. I use a hand burr grinder to ensure that my espresso is the perfect texture. Again, excessive, but it yields perfect results every time. Invest in a quality automatic or handheld burr grinder if you plan to make a lot of espresso in the future. 
• Don’t pack the espresso too hard. For water to pass through the espresso in a consistent stream, the espresso can’t be a hockey puck. Water will flow through the less dense areas and avoid the dense areas, creating uneven extraction. Press just firmly enough to compact the coffee so that it has a smooth surface.
• Don’t let your espresso shots sit. As espresso sits, some important chemical reactions take place. All of the lovely oils and lipids that give coffee their rich body and long aftertaste will oxidize. Think of acrid, burned and bitter tastes and that’s what you can expect

Baked Treats to Enjoy with Coffee

Sour Cream Coffee Cake Loaf
Apple Cider Donut Cake
Almond Ricotta Cake
Mixed Berry Scones

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