Hot Caramel Macchiato Recipe
If there’s one drink that I’m prone to ordering when I go to a coffee shop, it’s a caramel macchiato. I have a passion for all things caramel. This easy, at-home recipe tastes amazing, you’ll save yourself a trip to the coffee shop, and your wallet will thank you, too. It’s perfect for chilly weather, holiday brunches, or as ‘dessert’ after a holiday meal and celebration you’re hosting. It’s rich, creamy, decadent, and wonderfully caramely. You can’t have a caramel macchiato without caramel sauce so I made my own by using my recipe for Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce. While you could cheat and use store-bought sauce, it just doesn’t taste the same and I urge you to make your own. You will have some leftover and could avoid that by making a half batch, but why? It’s perfect for adding to your favorite brownies, ice cream, muffins, or of course make more caramel macchiatos.
What’s in a Caramel Macchiato?
The caramel macchiato ingredients list is short and sweet:
Granulated sugar Water Corn syrup (optional) Horizon Heavy Whipping Cream Vanilla extract Salt Espresso or brewed coffee Horizon Whole Milk
How to Make a Caramel Macchiato at Home
The caramel sauce is easy and is just a mixture of 3 ingredients: sugar, water, and Horizon Heavy Whipping Cream. Add vanilla or salt, optionally. The Horizon Heavy Whipping Cream adds an unmistakeable richness to the caramel sauce that you’re going to adore. For the coffee aspect, you can either go with 2 shots of espresso but since most of us don’t have an espresso maker, about 6 ounces of strong, freshly brewed coffee is great. Finally you’ll need to warm up some milk. A milk frother would be amazing here but since I don’t have one, I added Horizon Whole Milk to a glass measuring cup, zapped it in the microwave until very warm (don’t boil it), and poured it over the coffee.
Horizon Whole Milk is a real treat for me because I tend to bake and use Silk Unsweetened Cashew, Coconut, or Almond Milks in my day to day life and to have something so thick and creamy is fabulous. If it says Horizon® organic on the carton, you know what’s inside comes from happy cows on family-run organic farms. Because I was feeling decadent, I topped my caramel macchiato with So Delicious CocoWhip. Normally caramel macchiatos aren’t served with whipped cream on top but it’s the holiday season — why not? There’s an ever-so-slight hint of coconut in it and I want to eat it by the spoonful. And I drizzled extra caramel on top for good measure of course.
Can I Omit the Corn Syrup?
The corn syrup is not absolutely necessary. It can help prevent crystallization and keep the caramel sauce a bit smoother, but if you just take your time and watch the caramel closely you can omit.
Can I Use Flavored Coffee?
Of course! Use whatever coffee or espresso you like. Just be sure to pick a flavor that will pair well with the caramel sauce.
Tips for Making a Hot Caramel Macchiato
When making the caramel sauce, I highly recommend having all the ingredients in place nearby (including hot mitts and a glass jar or heat-safe container). You’re working with boiling sugar and your full attention on the recipe is necessary. If you’re unsure whether the caramel sauce is done or not and you’re going to err on under or overcooking the caramel, undercook it. Overcooking results in caramel hard candy, not caramel sauce. Let the caramel sauce cool to room temperature before using. You do NOT want to drink it when it’s hot (it’s basically molten sugar at that stage).
More Fall Drink Recipes:
Caramel Apple Cider — Warm apple cider spiked with cinnamon, maple and almond extracts, apple chunks, and the mugs are rimmed with heavenly homemade salted caramel sauce!! FAST, EASY, and so DELICIOUS!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Hard Apple Cider Mule — And after trying this twist on the Moscow mule, I think you’ll agree that autumn never tasted better.
Creamy Nutella Martini — This martini is creamy, smooth, and satisfying. The Frangelico adds hazelnut, cinnamon, and vanilla notes, while the Irish cream provides richness and creaminess.
Skinny Caramel Frappuccino— This drink is too good to be true! It’s cold, creamy, rich, and satisfying, plus it’s only 50 calories per serving.
Creamy Boozy Iced Coffee – This is the fastest and easiest method way to make iced coffee that I’ve tried, and I’ve tried plenty.
Homemade Baileys Irish Cream— Homemade Baileys Irish Cream comes together 1 minute, with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Rich, creamy, and the flavor is a dead ringer for store-bought!
Post is brought to you by Horizon. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own. #HorizonOrganic This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon. The opinions and text are all mine.
