Apple Butter Latte

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Are you ready to fall head over heels for the coziest apple butter latte ever? Flavored with apple butter and a hint of butterscotch, this coffee drink tastes like apple pie in a glass. Whether you’re a hot coffee fan or prefer yours iced, you’re going to want to add this recipe to your “must-make-immediately” list.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

Skip the Line: This delicious latte takes minutes to whip up in your own kitchen for a fraction of the cost of fancy coffeeshop drinks
Unexpected Flavor: When it comes to fall flavors, apples can get overlooked. The unexpected apple flavor in this latte is a total win!
Instagrammable: Let’s face it, this latte is just plain pretty.

Fall in Love with this Cozy Apple Pie Latte

I love pumpkin spice lattes as much as the next person (especially when the next person is a sweater-clad autumn enthusiast clutching a to-go coffee cup while strolling through a flurry of falling leaves). But, being from upstate New York, I have a definite soft spot for anything apple-inspired.

Nothing quite says “autumn upstate'”like the smell of homemade apple butter wafting through the house after a day at the PYO apple orchard.

Considering my obsession with coffee, it was only a matter of time before I combined the two into these delicious apple butter lattes. They’re so delicious and taste even more like fall than your standard PSL, even if I do say so myself.

If you’re a fall lover, this is the beverage you never knew your mornings needed.

(And before you come at me in the comments, I was a barista in college and I know that this isn’t technically a latte. It’s built more like a Starbucks-style macchiato – which is different from a traditional Italian macchiato — with the flavorings added in with the milk and the espresso dropped in on top. Using this “macchiato” method makes it easier to blend the apple butter into the drink and doesn’t mask the delicious aroma of the espresso.)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Oat Milk: Apple butter has a lot of acidity, which can get funky and bitter when you combine it with dairy milk. After experimenting with a few different methods for making this latte, I landed on oat milk being the best option. It gives the drink a delightfully rich and silky mouthfeel along with a slight cereal flavor that really enhances the apple pie vibes of this drink. Almond milk is another great option! You can use dairy milk in a pinch, but your results may vary depending on the apple butter that you use.

Espresso: For sweet, milky drinks like this one I like to use a rich, dark roast. That way the coffee flavor doesn’t get lost. A strong espresso also helps balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients. I used the Bianco Piccolo pod from Nespresso. It’s designed to be paired with milk, and it really is delicious. You can substitute with strong, brewed coffee if you like.

Apple Butter: A heaping tablespoon of homemade or store bought apple butter adds so much flavor to this latte, without relying on flavored syrup. In addition to juicy apple flavor, you’ll also get notes of cinnamon and nutmeg – perfect for fall!

Caramel or Butterscotch Sauce: This is completely optional, but is a fun addition if you like your coffee on the sweeter side. I used some bourbon butterscotch sauce that I grabbed from an endcap filled with sundae toppings and it was DELICIOUS. You can also use torani caramel sauce, which is widely available.

Adding apple butter before steaming the milk.

Pro Tips

Add the apple butter and syrup to the milk before steaming it. This will help them melt into the milk and will flavor your drink more evenly.
Invest in a milk frother! I love my nespresso aeroccino, which heats the milk and froths it at the same time. It gives a great foam, even with nondairy milks. For a more affordable option, you froth steamed milk in a blender or with a handheld frother. Or just add warm milk to a jar and give it a good shake. The froth won’t be as consistent but it will still taste fantastic.
Experiment with garnishes. For a fancy coffeeshop feel, drizzle a little extra caramel over the top or dust it with cinnamon or nutmeg. A cinnamon stick also makes a festive, fall-inspired garnish. If you have a sweet tooth, try rimming the cup with caramel and crushed graham crackers. Yeah, you’re welcome!
Enjoy hot or cold! Caramel apple lattes are just as delicious served cold – and they’re surprisingly refreshing! For an iced version, whisk the apple butter and caramel/butterscotch into the cold milk until it’s well blended, then add ice and your espresso shot.

Frequently asked questions

How can I adjust the sweetness?

The apple butter itself doesn’t add a ton of sweetnes, so if you want a sweeter drink add more caramel. For a less sweet drink you can leave the caramel out completely. I love it both ways, it just depends on my mood!

Is apple butter similar to applesauce?

Apple butter is basically what you’d get if you kept cooking applesauce until it reduced to a thick, jelly-like spread and then added a bunch of warm spices. Look for local producers at farmers markets, or pick up a jar of Musselman’s at the grocery store.

Do I really need to use nondairy milk?

So here’s the thing – apple butter often has lemon juice, citric acid, or another acidic element too it. Depending on how much is in yours, you run the risk of turning dairy milk into buttermilk. I’ve made these lattes with dairy milk before and it’s hot or miss, sometimes it’s perfectly fine and other times it turns sour. Nondairy milk has a much more consistent result.

What’s the difference between butterscotch and caramel?

They’re really similar, but butterscotch is made with brown sugar instead of white sugar. For this recipe, you can use either but I love the deep molasses notes that butterscotch provides.

Can I add whipped cream on top?

Yes! In fact, if you want to add a pretty caramel drizzle over the top I recommend it, since the caramel can sink down into your coffee otherwise.

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