Hello, Good News! If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Mardi Gras with a tasty treat, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a king cake latte, a coffee drink inspired by the traditional dessert of New Orleans.
King cake is a brioche pastry filled with various flavors, such as cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, or cream cheese. It’s decorated with colorful sugar in purple, green, and gold, representing justice, faith, and power. And it usually has a small plastic baby hidden inside, symbolizing the baby Jesus or good luck for the finder.
What You’ll Need to Make a King Cake Latte
Ingredients
To make a king cake latte, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Coffee beans: You can use any kind of coffee beans you like, but we recommend using French Market® Coffee and Chicory[^1^] for an authentic New Orleans flavor.
- Milk: You can use regular milk or any non-dairy alternative, such as almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Caramel: You’ll need some caramel sauce or syrup to add sweetness and richness to your latte.
- Brown sugar: You’ll also need some brown sugar to enhance the caramel flavor and add some depth.
- Cinnamon: You’ll need a pinch of cinnamon to spice up your latte and mimic the flavor of king cake.
- Purple, green, and gold sprinkles: These are optional, but they’ll make your latte look festive and fun.
Equipment
To make a king cake latte, you’ll need the following equipment:
- Espresso machine or coffee maker: You’ll need a way to brew your coffee beans into espresso or strong coffee.
- Large mug: You’ll need a large mug to hold your latte.
- Milk frother: You’ll need a milk frother to create some foam for your latte. You can use an electric milk frother, a steamer wand from your espresso machine, or a Mason jar with a lid.
- Spoon: You’ll need a spoon to stir your latte and scoop some froth on top.
How to Make a King Cake Latte
Step 1: Add caramel, sugar, and cinnamon to the mug
Pour the caramel sauce or syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon into the bottom of your large mug. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient according to your taste. We suggest using one tablespoon of caramel, two teaspoons of brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon for one mug.
Step 2: Pull two shots of espresso or brew strong coffee
Pull two shots of espresso directly into the mug using your espresso machine. You can use any kind of espresso machine, including portable espresso makers and stovetop Moka pots. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can brew some strong coffee using your regular coffee maker or French press. Just make sure to use enough coffee grounds for a concentrated brew.
Step 3: Stir the mixture
Give the mixture in the mug a good stir. You want the caramel, sugar, and cinnamon to dissolve and blend with the espresso or coffee. This will create the base of your king cake latte.
Step 4: Froth the milk
Froth about half a cup of milk using your preferred method. You can use an electric milk frother, which will heat and froth the milk for you. Or you can use a steamer wand from your espresso machine to steam and froth the milk. Or you can use a Mason jar with a lid to shake and froth the milk. If you use this method, make sure to heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop before shaking it in the jar.
Step 5: Pour the milk on top and garnish
Pour the milk into the mug over the espresso or coffee mixture. Top it with some spoonfuls of froth. Then sprinkle some cinnamon and purple, green, and gold sprinkles on top. And voila! You have yourself a delicious king cake latte that’s perfect for Mardi Gras.
A Table Breakdown of King Cake Latte Nutrition Facts
If you’re curious about how many calories and nutrients are in your king cake latte, here’s a table breakdown for you. This is based on using whole milk, caramel sauce, and brown sugar. If you use different ingredients, the numbers may vary.
| Serving Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sugar |
|————–|———-|—–|——-|———|——-|
| 1 mug (12 oz) | 260 | 8 g | 40 g | 8 g | 34 g |
As you can see, a king cake latte is not exactly a low-calorie drink. It has a lot of sugar and carbs, which can spike your blood sugar and make you feel hungry later. It also has some fat and protein, which can help you feel full and satisfied. But it’s not a very balanced drink, so you may want to enjoy it as an occasional treat rather than a daily habit.
FAQs about King Cake Latte
What is a king cake?
A king cake is a traditional dessert that’s eaten during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It’s a brioche pastry that’s filled with various flavors, such as cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, or cream cheese. It’s decorated with colorful sugar in purple, green, and gold, representing justice, faith, and power. And it usually has a small plastic baby hidden inside, symbolizing the baby Jesus or good luck for the finder.
What does a king cake latte taste like?
A king cake latte tastes like a sweet and spicy coffee drink. It has the flavors of caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon, which mimic the flavor of king cake. It also has espresso or coffee and milk, which make it creamy and caffeinated. It’s a festive and delicious drink that’s perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras.
How do you make a king cake latte at home?
To make a king cake latte at home, you’ll need coffee beans, milk, caramel sauce or syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and purple, green, and gold sprinkles. You’ll also need an espresso machine or coffee maker, a large mug, a milk frother, and a spoon. The steps are simple: add caramel, sugar, and cinnamon to the mug; pull two shots of espresso or brew strong coffee; stir the mixture; froth the milk; pour the milk on top and garnish with sprinkles.
Can you make a vegan king cake latte?
Yes, you can make a vegan king cake latte by using non-dairy milk and vegan caramel sauce or syrup. You can use any plant-based milk you like, such as almond, soy, or oat milk. You can also use vegan brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of regular brown sugar. Just make sure to check the ingredients of your caramel sauce or syrup to make sure they don’t contain any animal products.
Can you make an iced king cake latte?
Yes, you can make an iced king cake latte by using cold brew coffee or chilled espresso instead of hot espresso or coffee. You can also use cold milk instead of hot milk. Just follow the same steps as above, but skip the heating and frothing of the milk. You can also add some ice cubes to your mug to make it extra cold.
What are some variations of king cake latte?
There are many ways you can customize your king cake latte to suit your preferences. Here are some ideas:
- Sugar and Spice: You can use different spices and types of sugar to change the flavor of your latte. For example, you can use nutmeg and honey instead of cinnamon and brown sugar for a warmer and sweeter taste.
- Chocolate: You can add some chocolate syrup or cocoa powder to your latte to make it more decadent and rich. You can also top it with some chocolate shavings or chips for extra indulgence.
- Cream Cheese: You can add some cream cheese to your latte to make it more creamy and tangy. You can either blend it with the milk before frothing it or whisk it with some hot water before adding it to the mug.
- Nutella: You can add some Nutella to your latte to make it more nutty and chocolatey. You can either melt it with the caramel sauce before adding it to the mug or drizzle it on top of the froth.
- Pumpkin Spice: You can add some pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to your latte to make it more autumnal and cozy. You can also top it with some whipped cream and more pumpkin spice for extra flair.