Dulce de Leche Latte

Name: Dulce de Leche Latte
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 fluid ounces espresso; 6 fluid ounces milk (preferably whole milk); 1 1/2 tablespoons dulce de leche; whipped cream (for garnish (optional))

Add some sweet Latin flair to your morning coffee with this super simple Dulce de Leche Latte recipe. Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes are all that stand between you and a creamy, caramelly coffee beverage that's so much better than anything you can get at your local Starbucks!

Latte topped with whipped cream and a dulce de leche drizzle.

Day to day, I love a good cup of black coffee, but shaking up the routine with an occasional fancy coffee drink is one of my favorite treats. Sometimes I'll swing by a coffee shop, but these days I'm gravitating toward DIY versions more often than not-so many can be made with as little as 3 ingredients!

Whether it's a rich and creamy iced spanish latte, a classic caramel iced coffee, or a tipsy Bailey's latte (for a weekend splurge!), there are tons of homemade coffee drinks that require minimal effort. This dulce de leche latte is just my newest addition to the lineup-and trust me when I say that it's filled with milky, caramelly espresso goodness!

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3 Reasons to Love This Dulce de Leche Latte Recipe

Quick and Easy - Investing in a pitcher-style milk frother makes this café style drink a snap to whip up, but even with basic kitchen tools, it comes together in 5 minutes or less. Plus, you'll only need 3 ingredients! I'm telling you, it's JUST as easy as making coffee with cream and sugar.
Affordably Luxurious - You can purchase a can of dulce de leche at nearly any grocery store for a few bucks, or make your own in a slow-cooker using a can of sweetened condensed milk. Either way, you can make this fancy latte for less than a dollar, which is wayyyy more sustainable than a $5-$7 drink from your nearest coffee shop.
So Scrumptious! - "Dulce de leche" translates to "milk candy," so that should give you a good idea of the deliciousness we're dealing with here - a rich and creamy latte with just the right amount of caramelized sweetness. The buttery, toasty flavor of the dulce de leche pairs with the bold notes of espresso in the best way!

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

As promised, just a handful of easy-to-source ingredients are all you need to make this cozy coffee drink. Here's what to grab:

Dulce de leche, whole milk, whipped cream, and espresso to make a latte.

Milk - I prefer using whole milk for the creamiest consistency, but you're welcome to swap in a lower-fat dairy milk or any plant-based milk you prefer.
Dulce de Leche - I used the Nestlé brand, which I was able to find at my local grocery store, right next to the sweetened condensed milk in the baking aisle. You're also welcome to use caramel sauce as a close swap. My go-to caramel sauce recipe uses milk, but if you make it with heavy cream instead, you'll get a thicker sauce that more closely resembles the texture of dulce de leche.
Espresso - Bold espresso is vital for any classic latte recipe, but you can swap in very strongly brewed conventional coffee or heated cold brew in a pinch.
Whipped Cream - Totally optional, but undeniably delicious as a garnish. It makes this latte even richer and creamier, which is never a bad thing!

How To Make A Dulce de Leche Latte Starbucks Would Admire

Brew espresso into a 12 ounce mug.

Froth the Milk: Combine the milk and dulce de leche in a milk frother to heat and froth. If you don't have a frother, warm the mixture in a small saucepan over medium heat, just until beginning to steam. Then, froth with a stick frother ~or~ whisk rapidly by hand to create a layer of foam.

Milk and dulce de leche frothed together in a milk frother.

Milk Frothing Tip

If you don't have a frother and don't have the patience to wait for your stove to heat up, try microwaving the milk and dulce de leche in a mason jar for 45-60 seconds. Then, pop the lid on and give it a good shake to froth things up!

Assemble. Pour the warmed and frothed milk mixture over the espresso, holding back the foam to spoon on top. Stir lightly. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream and an extra drizzle of dulce de leche before drinking.

Dulce de leche sweetened milk being poured into espresso in a glass mug.

A latte on a small saucer with a bowl of whipped cream and a vase of flowers in the background.

Make it Iced

Much like an iced caramel latte, the chilled version of this dulce de leche coffee drink is just as good as (if not better than!) the hot version.

To make it, brew espresso into a 16 ounce glass - I like these Libby tumblers! If you're feeling fancy, you can drizzle the inside of the glass with additional dulce de leche first, like I did in the photo below.

Add the dulce de leche and whisk to combine; the heat from the espresso will help it mix smoothly into the drink.

Cold froth the milk using a standalone milk frother or frothing wand. Add ice to the espresso and then pour the frothed milk on top.

Iced latte served in a glass tumbler drizzled with dulce de leche.

Cold Frothing Tip

As an alternative to cold-frothing your milk, you can shake it in a mason jar or blend it in a Nutribullet to achieve a similar consistency.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

Dairy-Free/Vegan - Swap in your favorite (preferably barista blend) plant-based milk (e.g. oat, almond, or soy) and purchase or make vegan-friendly dulce de leche. (Vegan variations are typically made using sweetened condensed coconut milk or sweetened condensed oat milk.) If you want to go all out, don't forget the dairy-free whipped cream!
Decaf - You can absolutely make this drink with decaffeinated coffee or espresso beans, but make sure you use a variety you like the taste of! I've tried some *disappointing* decaf coffee - even from brands that make regular coffee I love. My go-to these days is Joshua Tree Coffee - their decaf beans are bold and rich, which is perfect for making espresso!
Espresso-Free - If you don't have access to espresso, substitute with a strongly-brewed medium or dark roast coffee. Cold brew concentrate is also great, especially for an iced dulce de leche latte!

Tips to Perfect This Recipe

Check Your Milk Temperature - The ideal temperature for latte milk is between 130-155ºF. Any higher and the milk will scald, leaving you with a more bitter flavor and a less-than-ideal consistency. A good milk frother will take care of this for you, but if you're heating up your milk with a stove or microwave and want to be precise, you can use an instant-read thermometer to do a quick temperature check!
Blend Well - Dulce de leche is thick, so no matter what milk frothing method you decide to use, make sure it gets mixed into the milk thoroughly. Starting with room temperature or slightly warmed dulce de leche is also helpful; if it's been chilled, it'll be even thicker than usual.

A dulce de leche latte in a glass mug with a bowl of whipped cream in the background.

Helpful Equipment

An espresso machine is ideal for this recipe (I use the Mr. Coffee One-Touch), but an inexpensive Moka pot makes strong coffee that's about as close to espresso as you can get without a machine, for a fraction of the price.

A milk frother is also extremely handy, especially if you make lattes at home frequently, since it does both the heating and frothing for you.

FAQs

What is the difference between caramel and dulce de leche?

Caramel is made by heating sugar until it melts and browns, creating a rich, dark substance that can range from liquid to a more solid state, depending on the cooking duration. Water, milk, cream, and/or butter is often added to create a syrupy or soft texture.

Dulce de leche, on the other hand, is a mild, creamy, caramel-like confection made from milk and sugar. It's created by slowly heating sweetened milk, causing the sugars to caramelize and the milk to thicken into a rich, smooth paste. It tends to be thicker than caramel and have a softer, milkier flavor.

What is the difference between dulce de leche and sweetened condensed milk?

Both of these products are made with just two ingredients: sugar and milk. Sweetened condensed milk is simply cooked to a lesser extent than dulce de leche, where it's thick enough to drizzle, but less caramelized.

What is the flavor of dulce de leche?

It has rich, toasty undertones of caramelized sugar and a sweet, creamy finish-like a more mellow, unsalted caramel sauce.

Serve This Latte With…

If you're treating yourself to a homemade latte, don't miss out on pairing it with a freshly-baked goodie! Here are a few favorites that would pair particularly well.

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