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Home > Recipes > Beverages

Published: Dec 2, 2022 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Sugar Cookie Latte (Hot or Iced)

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The best DIY sugar cookie latte recipe! Wonderful hot or iced, this delicious seasonal coffee is made with an at-home version of the Starbucks sugar cookie syrup, espresso, milk of choice, and festive Christmas sprinkles!

an iced sugar cookie latte with a red and white striped straw, and topped with red white and green sprinkles. The glass is surrounded by holiday felt-ball garland, containers of sprinkles, a jar of sugar cookie simple syrup with a bow, a white linen, and greenery.

If you’ve been around here awhile, you know I love making Starbucks recipes at home. Not only does it save money, they taste so much better! And you have the opportunity to make little modifications to make them into your perfect coffee drink.

The Starbucks iced sugar cookie almondmilk latte debuted as a part of their 2021 holiday drink line up and has been a holiday hit ever since! Cookies and coffee are a great combination, so you can see why this flavor combo has been so popular.

Made with a homemade sugar cookie syrup, espresso, milk of choice, and sprinkles… it’s really the ultimate Christmas latte. If you haven’t had one, this holiday coffee is definitely worth a try. It’s fun, festive, and great hot or iced. Plus, it’s topped with sprinkles. Joy on joy on joy!

If you love this sugar cookie latte, you’ll also love these holiday coffees: a gingerbread coffee, this peppermint white chocolate mocha, and an eggnog latte too!

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Winter Coffee Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Recipe Variations and Substitutions
  • Step-By-Step Instructions
  • Possible Dietary Restrictions?
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Helpful Equipment
  • Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
  • Sugar Cookie Latte (Iced or Hot)
  • More Starbucks Copycat Recipes to Try

Why You’ll Love This Winter Coffee Recipe

Better than Starbucks! I said it. This homemade sugar cookie latte is SO MUCH BETTER than the $6 cup you’ll find at Starbucks.

Cost effective. Enjoy your favorite holiday seasonal coffee daily for a fraction of the cost!

It’s great hot or iced. You can enjoy a homemade sugar cookie latte hot or iced. 

Easy to make. The sugar cookie syrup is easy to make and yields enough for you to enjoy several lattes. Once your syrup is ready, a latte comes together quick and easy.

Fun and festive! Enjoying a sugar cookie latte is a fun way to celebrate the season (and get caffeinated in the process).

Ingredients Needed

ingredients needed to make a sugar cookie latte.

Espresso: The Starbucks version uses their blonde espresso roast. However, you can make this sugar cookie latte recipe with whatever espresso you love most! You can also use strongly brewed coffee.

Milk of choice: The OG is a sugar cookie almondmilk latte… but you can use whatever milk you prefer (dairy or non-dairy)! I personally enjoy using 2% or whole dairy milk in this recipe. Almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk are great non-dairy choices.

Tip: Lightly froth your milk before adding it to your glass to create a good base for your sprinkles to sit on!

Vanilla, almond, and butter extracts: These three extracts combine to create the perfect sugar cookie flavor. I know butter extract may seem strange…but it really takes your sugar cookie syrup to the next level because one of the main characteristics of a good sugar cookie is a buttery dough. All of these extracts can be found in your grocery store’s baking aisle. 

Holiday nonpareils sprinkles: These are the little ball-shaped sprinkles. Adding a dash of these to the top of your sugar cookie latte is a fun and festive holiday touch (and what you’d get if you were waiting in line for one of these at Starbucks). I’m using the same red, white, and green nonpareils that I’d use to decorate frosted sugar cookies!

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

  • Use strongly brewed coffee instead of espresso. Don’t have a way to make espresso at home? No worries! Brew strong coffee instead by increasing the amount of coffee grounds used in your normal brewing method to make a more concentrated coffee. A good place to start is by adding one or two extra scoops of grounds.
  • Use cold brew coffee for the iced version. If you love making homemade cold brew coffee, or always have a bottle of store-bought cold brew in your fridge, this is a great option for an iced sugar cookie latte!
  • Make a decaf latte. If you’d like to enjoy a cozy mug of this holiday coffee at night, or cannot have caffeine, use your favorite decaf espresso or decaf coffee in this recipe.
  • Option to add some white chocolate if making a hot latte. This can add another pop of creamy sweetness to your sugar cookie latte. Add 1 Tablespoon of white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate to the bottom of your mug before adding the hot coffee and milk. Give it a stir, and enjoy!
  • Add whipped cream. If adding a bit of whipped cream on top of your sugar cookie latte would bring you joy, I say go for it! This is especially great on a hot sugar cookie latte. Don’t forget to add the sprinkles on top too!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make sugar cookie simple syrup if you do not already have some made and stored in an air-tight container in your fridge.

process shot for making a homemade iced sugar cookie latte.

Step 2: Fill a tall glass with ice and add sugar cookie syrup.*

process shot for making a homemade iced sugar cookie latte.

Step 3: Add freshly brewed espresso that have been cooled slightly.

process shot for making a homemade iced sugar cookie latte.

Step 4: Top with milk.

process shot for making a homemade iced sugar cookie latte.

Step 5: And stir.

an iced sugar cookie latte with a red and white striped straw, and topped with red white and green sprinkles. The glass is surrounded by holiday felt-ball garland, containers of sprinkles, a jar of sugar cookie simple syrup with a bow, a red moka pot, a white linen, and greenery.

Step 6: Top with sprinkles and enjoy!

*To make a hot sugar cookie latte, skip the ice and add all ingredients into a mug. No need to cool any ingredients (including the sugar cookie syrup if you’re making a fresh batch) when making a hot version of this latte. I also recommend topping a hot latte with whipped cream!

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

A sugar cookie latte is vegetarian as written. You can make your sugar cookie latte dairy free and vegan by using almond milk or oat milk (or non-dairy milk of choice).

Expert Tips

Don’t skip the butter extract! To be honest, I was a little skeptical about this ingredient before I began testing this recipe, but it is worth it! The butter extract really gives the DIY Starbucks sugar cookie syrup that pop of buttery goodness you’d expect from a sugar cookie.

Recipe FAQs

How long can I store sugar cookie syrup?

You can store sugar cookie syrup in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

What is the best milk to use for a sugar cookie latte?

The Starbucks version is made with unsweetened almond milk. You can also use vanilla almond milk. If you prefer dairy milk, 2% or whole milk are both great options. Oat milk is another great option for this latte recipe.

Can I make this latte recipe with coffee instead of espresso?

Definitely! Replace the espresso noted in the recipe with strongly brewed coffee. Brew strong coffee by increasing the amount of coffee grounds used in your normal brewing method to make a more concentrated coffee. A good place to start is by adding one or two extra scoops of grounds.

Can I make this sugar cookie latte iced and hot?

Yes! A sugar cookie latte is great both iced and hot!
If making a hot sugar cookie latte, skip the ice, warm up your milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds, and froth it before adding it to your mug.

Can I make this holiday coffee ahead of time?

You can make sugar cookie syrup up to two weeks in advance and store it in the fridge in an air-tight container. If you’re planning on making an iced sugar cookie almondmilk latte, you can also make the espresso one day ahead of time. Do this by storing cooled espresso in the fridge in an air-tight container.

Can I make the sugar cookie simple syrup without butter extract?

Yes, however, the butter extract does add a really nice flavor to your sugar cookie syrup since a buttery dough is a primary characteristic of a great sugar cookie. But if you’re in a pinch, the vanilla extract and almond extract also used will still create a nice syrup.

Helpful Equipment

If you’d like to make espresso at home, but don’t want the expense (or size) of an espresso machine, a Moka Pot is a great investment! I love and use mine a ton.

Using a handheld milk frother is also helpful in this recipe, as the froth gives the sprinkles something to sit on!

Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy

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  • a glass mug with a homemade gingerbread latte sitting on a wooden board. Another mug sits in the background, along with a linen, coffee beans, an iced gingerbread cookie, and a holiday plant.
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  • a clear mug rimmed with chocolate and sprinkles filled with boozy christmas coffee. the coffee is topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. coffee beans, sprinkles, chocolate pieces, and candy canes surround the mug.
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  • a peppermint white chocolate mocha in a red mug that is topped with whipped cream and crushed candy cane pieces. The mug sits on a white coaster in front of white holiday houses and a red and white linen. White chocolate pieces, coffee beans, and candy canes are scattered around the scene.
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an iced sugar cookie latte with a red and white striped straw, and topped with red white and green sprinkles. The glass is surrounded by holiday felt-ball garland, containers of sprinkles, a jar of sugar cookie simple syrup with a bow, a white linen, and greenery.

Sugar Cookie Latte (Iced or Hot)

Meredith
The best DIY sugar cookie latte recipe! An easy and delicious Starbucks Copycat recipe that is great hot or iced. Make sure to enjoy one this holiday season!
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Drink
Calories 202 kcal

Ingredients
  

Sugar Cookie Syrup

  • ¼ C brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ½ C granulated sugar
  • ¾ C water
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ⅛-1/4 teaspoon butter extract

Sugar Cookie Latte

  • 3 tablespoon sugar cookie syrup
  • 2 oz espresso (2oz = ¼ cup)
  • ice (for iced version only)
  • 1 C milk of choice*, frothed slightly
  • sprinkles for topping

Instructions
 

Make the Sugar Cookie Syrup

  • Place all brown sugar, granulated sugar, and water into a small saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine. Bring contents to a slow boil (avoid a rolling boil), then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer simple syrup until the sugars have dissolved (about 5-10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the from the heat and allow, and stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and butter extract.
  • Allow the syrup to cool completely, and transfer to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Sugar Cookie Latte

  • Fill a tall glass with ice (if making a hot latte, skip this step and use a mug).
  • Add sugar cookie syrup, espresso, and milk to the glass and stir.
  • Top with sprinkles and enjoy!

Notes

*Milk Options: The Starbucks version is made with unsweetened almond milk. You can also use vanilla almond milk. If you prefer dairy milk, 2% or whole milk are both great options. Oat milk is another great option for this latte recipe.
*Recipe Variations and Substitutions
  • Use strongly brewed coffee instead of espresso. Don’t have a way to make espresso at home? No worries! Brew strong coffee instead by increasing the amount of coffee grounds used in your normal brewing method to make a more concentrated coffee. A good place to start is by adding one or two extra scoops of grounds.
  • Use cold brew coffee for the iced version. If you love making homemade cold brew coffee, or always have a bottle of store-bought cold brew in your fridge, this is a great option for an iced sugar cookie latte!
  • Make a decaf latte. If you’d like to enjoy a cozy mug of this holiday coffee at night, or cannot have caffeine, use your favorite decaf espresso or decaf coffee in this recipe.
  • Option to add some white chocolate if making a hot latte. This can add another pop of creamy sweetness to your sugar cookie latte. Add 1 Tablespoon of white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate to the bottom of your mug before adding the hot coffee and milk. Give it a stir, and enjoy!
  • Add whipped cream. If adding a bit of whipped cream on top of your sugar cookie latte would bring you joy, I say go for it! This is especially great on a hot sugar cookie latte. Don’t forget to add the sprinkles on top too!
*Nutrition facts are calculated using unsweetened almond milk. The nutritional information will vary based on the milk chosen.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 368mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 1gSugar: 44gVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 309mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Starbucks Copycat Recipes to Try

  • A completed Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso in a mason jar with a metal reusable straw. The jar is sitting on a coaster and surrounded by a jar of ice, a bowl of brown sugar, a bowl of coffee beans, a red and white linen, and a vase of white flowers.
    Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)
  • close up of a tall glass filled with a white iced mocha that is topped with a generous amount of whipped cream and white chocolate syrup that is dripping down the glass. The drink is surrounded by white chocolate squares, coffee beans, ice, and a white linen.
    Easy White Chocolate Iced Mocha (Starbucks Copycat)
  • close up of a homemade pumpkin cream cold brew, topped with a generous amount of homemade pumpkin cold foam and additional pumpkin pie spice.
    Pumpkin Cold Foam (Starbucks Copycat)
  • Image of a glass of honey almondmilk cold brew being stirred with a metal straw. The glass is sitting on a white coaster, and next to a bowl of honey and bowl of coffee grounds. In the background is a white linen, and glass containers of honey simple syrup, cold brew coffee, almond milk.
    Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew (Starbucks Copycat)

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  • a fancy serving glass filled with a virgin pina colada mocktail with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry garnish. a fresh pineapple sits behind it, along with a second mocktail, a white linen, and tropical green leaves.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. Kendra says

    December 04, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    5 stars
    So yummy! Easy to make and easy to personalize to how you want it! Way better than any I’ve bought!

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      December 04, 2022 at 9:48 pm

      Thank you Kendra! I’m so happy you’ve found one you love in this recipe 🙂

      Reply

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