I think Raffaellos are Ferrero’s best confectionery. Yes, even better than the iconic Ferrero Rocher. It’s just so balanced, creamy, and interesting from the almond inside and coconut outside. But have you ever imagined what it would taste like in a matcha latte? It’s delicious.

So, here’s how to make a Raffaello matcha latte at home!

Raffaelo Matcha Takeaways:

• Use just a little bit of almond extract!
• Use an umami-forward matcha for the best balance.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• It’s sweet, creamy, and delicious!
• Maybe you’ll discover your new favorite matcha flavor combination.
• It’s creative and perfect for a home cafe menu.
• Practice making cafe-quality matcha drinks at home!

What is a Raffaello?

A Raffaello is a confection made by Ferrero that’s the non-chocolate version of a Ferrero Rocher. It was created in 1990, with roots in Italian pastry-making. The base of the confection is a thin spherical wafer cookie filled with a creamy white milk filling and a whole white almond, enrobed in a thin layer of white chocolate, coated in coconut shreds.

It used to only be sold in a variety pack with Ferrero Rocher, but now I see them sold on their own, and I love it. They’re the perfect sweet treat!

What Flavor is Raffaello?

For the longest time, I thought Raffaello’s were white chocolate flavored (you never really think about it as a kid). But now that I’m older, it’s clearly a sweet milk flavor.

The only white chocolate in the Raffaello is in the coating; the inside is like a creamy condensed milk or heavy cream. And the slight nuttiness from the almond is so addictive, with the crunchy shredded coconut outside.

It’s just perfection.

Do Raffaello and Matcha Go Together?

YES. Matcha goes great with any sweet and creamy flavor, so it’s a no-brainer; it would pair well with Raffaellos. I feel like Raffaellos don’t have a very strong flavor; it’s mostly sweet and milky, so it lets additional flavors shine.

You can still taste the tea flavor in this latte, as it’s not overpowered. It’s hard for this combination not to taste good!

Raffaello Matcha Latte Recipe: Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Raffaello matcha at home!

• Matcha Powder — Use your favorite matcha powder! I like matcha that is more umami and savory rather than sweet or floral, which works nicely in this drink because the base is already creamy. You can see my recommendations here.
• Water — You’ll want hot water that is around 175 F for whisking matcha. Boiling water is too hot and can burn the leaves.
• Milk — 2% is my choice here, since the cream top adds a lot of creaminess. However, you can use any milk you’d like, including non-dairy alternatives.
• Ice
• Condensed Milk — This is an important ingredient! It gives you that milky flavor that Raffaellos are known for. You can easily find it in any grocery store, and it’s pretty cheap.
• Heavy Cream — Use a cream with at least 35% milk fat for the best flavor. Half-and-half won’t froth properly.
• White Chocolate — You can use chips, bars, or even candy melts. Although you can also omit this if you don’t want to bother with melting it, haha. White chocolate sauce works great here, too.
• Shredded Coconut — This is the signature garnish for Raffaellos, so naturally, for this latte, too!
• Almond Extract — You can find this in most grocery stores in the baking aisle. You don’t need a lot to taste it, but it mimics that center almond in the candy.

How to Make a Raffaello Matcha Latte

1. Melt the Chocolate. Add the white chocolate to a bowl and melt in the microwave in 15-second intervals until smooth. You can also melt it in a double boiler.
2. Whip Cream. Add melted chocolate and heavy cream into a cup, then whip with a handheld frother until light and fluffy. Don’t overwhip and keep the texture at a soft peak where it’s still pourable. You’ll have to work quickly as the chocolate sets fast when it hits cold cream.
3. Whisk Matcha. Sift matcha powder into a matcha bowl and add your hot water. Vigorously whisk using a chasen in a zigzag motion for 20 – 30 seconds until the tea is frothy. There should be a velvety foam on top with tight bubbles.
4. Mix Milk. Add condensed milk, almond extract, and milk to a separate glass and stir to combine until completely mixed. You can also use a handheld frother for convenience.
5. Assemble Drink. Add ice to the milk and pour the whisked matcha on top. Then, top with your white chocolate cream. Garnish with shredded coconut flakes.
6. Mix and Enjoy! Stir the layers together with a straw and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Raffaello Matcha

• Mix the Chocolate with Hot Cream: The chocolate hardens when it touches cold cream, so to keep it a softer texture, mix the melted chocolate with some hot cream until creamy. Then add the ganache-like sauce to the cold cream and whip. It’ll be way easier this way!
• Use Little Almond Extract: You seriously only need a drop or two of this extract to get the same Raffaello flavor. If you use too much, it’ll end up tasting like a white chocolate almond, which is yummy, but it will overpower the matcha. If you accidentally use too much, I would split the milk in half and add new milk and condensed milk to balance it out.

FAQ’s

What flavor are Raffaellos?

Raffaellos’ main flavor is a sweet milk flavor, similar to a stracciatella gelato but creamier. Then you have the almond and coconut, which are supporting flavors to the creamy milk filling. They’re addictive!

Can I use the Raffaello filling instead?

That’s a great idea! You can easily make a Raffaello matcha by scraping out the middles of the candy and then using it to flavor the milk. You could also crush entire Raffaellos into milk, but you’ll end up with some texture from the water, almond, and coconut.

Other Creamy Matcha Recipes to Try

If you love making matcha lattes at home like this Raffaello matcha, then here are some other matcha recipes to try next:

• Cherry Cream Matcha Latte
• Lemon Cream Matcha Latte
• Black Sesame Cream Matcha Latte
• Ube Cream Matcha Latte
• Sea Salt Cream Matcha Latte