This Carrot Cake Latte tastes like a dessert while providing a caffeinated kick. It's equal parts indulgent treat and AM necessity. It's truly the springtime latte of your dreams, come to life.
I originally saw a TikTok creator (forgive me, but I can't remember who it was) making homemade carrot cake syrup and adding it to a latte and I just knew. I knew that I had to recreate it and enjoy it in my own kitchen. Whether you make this latte hot or iced, it will not disappoint.
Love this recipe? Looking for more iconic, sweet-spicy lattes? You should try my Gingerbread Latte, Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte!
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Unique seasonal flavor. Carrot cake is sweet and warmly spiced, making it perfect for Fall and Spring (hello, Easter).
Fabulous iced or hot. We love a versatile latte. It's perfection whether you enjoy it iced or hot.
It feels like a decadent treat. Whether you top this latte with cold foam or not, it will feel and taste like an indulgence.
What does this latte taste like?
It's the perfect flavor marriage between a fat slice of sweet and spicy carrot cake and a smooth milky latte.
We all know carrot cake, right? It's a super moist, warmly spiced cake with a subtle sweetness (thanks to the carrots). My carrot cake syrup tastes like a liquid slice of concentrated carrot cake goodness. Bold and bitter espresso tempers the sweetness, and creamy milk rounds out all of the flavors.
And if you elect to top your latte with some cream cheese cold foam? Hoo boy, you're in for a treat. That cold foam mimics the sweet and tangy flavor of the cream cheese frosting that's so often slathered onto carrot cake.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Espresso: You can make your espresso using whatever method you prefer: espresso machine, Moka pot, AeroPress, etc.
- Carrot Cake Syrup: I think that my homemade version is *chef's kiss* but you can use a store bought syrup, too. Don't mind the schmutz on the side of the bottle. Sometimes sediment from the spices and carrot juice settle in the storage container. Give it a vigorous shake and it will all combine again.
- Ice: Not pictured, but necessary for an iced latte.
- Milk: Use whatever milk you prefer.
- Cream Cheese Cold Foam (optional): Like it says, this is optional. But it turns this latte into a very special, decadent treat.
Substitutions or Variations
- Make it hot or iced. This latte is really good when prepared hot, too. Prepare the espresso and syrup in a mug, and instead of pouring over ice and milk, steam and froth your milk and add that to your espresso.
- Change the ratio of espresso to milk. Like your lattes with more milk? Add it! Like less? You know what to do.
- Top it with some cold foam. Cream Cheese Cold Foam would be my first choice here, but Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam would be a very close second.
How to make an iced carrot cake latte
What to serve with your Carrot Cake Latte
Carrot cake seems like a natural pairing, no? 😉
Try it alongside a sweet breakfast/brunch recipe like my Pumpkin Bread Pudding or Gluten Free Banana Bread. These pancakes without milk (of any kind!) would be great, too.
If you prefer a savory pairing, try this English Muffin Breakfast Casserole with Bacon or homemade Sous Vide Egg Bites.
Recipe FAQs
100%. This carrot cake latte is fabulous whether you make it hot or iced. Choose your own adventure.
In short: use whatever you prefer. I've made this with cow's milk and oat milk (it's good both ways). You can use any dairy or alternative milk that you'd like.
You can make something that's espresso-adjacent with a Moka pot, Aeropress, or even a French press.
More latte recipes
✨ Recipe
Carrot Cake Latte
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces espresso
- ½ ounce carrot cake syrup
- ice
- 8 ounces milk
- cream cheese cold foam optional
Instructions
- Add freshly brewed espresso and carrot cake syrup to a small glass. Stir to combine.
- Pour milk into a tall glass and add ice.
- Pour espresso/syrup over milk and ice.
- Stir gently.
- Top with cream cheese cold foam, if desired.
Notes
- Nutrition facts do not take cream cheese cold foam into account. If you use it, tack ~250 additional calories onto the total.
- Use whatever milk you prefer. I'm an oat milk or a Fairlife whole milk kind of girlie.
- You can use a store bought carrot cake syrup, if you prefer.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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