Have you tried the sugar cookie latte from Starbucks? That makes two of us, but you have to admit that you can’t go wrong with cookies and coffee together! And after making my own copycat, I can confidently say that the sweet, buttery flavor of sugar cookies tastes amazing with smooth coffee.

You can easily make sugar cookie syrup at home that tastes even better than store-bought. Then, you can make as many sugar cookie lattes as you desire!

Here’s how to make an iced sugar cookie latte at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s super straightforward to follow.
• It tastes better than the Starbucks version, plus you’ll save money.
• Make a cafe-quality coffee at home without leaving your kitchen.
• This iced latte tastes incredible, especially with homemade syrup.

What is a Sugar Cookie Latte?

A sugar cookie latte is an iced latte with sugar cookie syrup. However, you can take it up a notch with some red and green holiday sprinkles and a sugar cookie cold foam. Starbucks first launched an almond milk version in 2021, and it’s since become a popular holiday seasonal favorite.

Normally, the regular iced latte does not come with cold foam, but so many customers add it that it’s basically the new default. You get double the sugar cookie flavor, and it’s creamier!

What Does a Sugar Cookie Latte Taste Like?

A sugar cookie latte tastes like a coffee flavored with vanilla and butter. It tastes similar to a vanilla cake soaked in a milky coffee, tbh! You really can’t go wrong with these flavors, as the sugar complements the bitter coffee.

I’ve heard some people complain about how the Starbucks version tastes chemically, perhaps from the syrup. But the homemade version tastes way better and much closer to what the name says. It’s sweet, creamy, cake-like, and so addictive. And genuinely, the sweet cream cold foam is the missing piece!

How to Make Sugar Cookie Syrup

You can’t make a sugar cookie latte without the sugar cookie syrup. People have been trying to discover the ingredients in the secretive Starbucks syrup, without success. However, many believe that it’s a combination of vanilla, butter, and almond extract!

I’m skeptical of the amount of almond extract people add, so I did some more research and found that just a drop of it is all you need. Vanilla and butter make sense, since sugar cookies are made from that, and cake batter extract is basically the combination of the two.

So, to make an incredible syrup, you add a mix of cake batter extract, regular and brown sugar, and a smidge of almond extract to get a sugar cookie flavor.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Cold Foam

Sweet cream cold foam is just cream, milk, and sugar whipped until light and fluffy. With this base, you can add any flavor your heart desires, including sugar cookie! You just replace the sweetener with your syrup, and voila, you get flavored cold foam. The result is super light and delicious; it’s basically a softer whipped cream.

You’ll want to use a handheld frother to get the foam nice and fluffy, but still pourable. For large amounts, a blender or electric mixer works perfectly.

Sugar Cookie Latte: What You’ll Need

Equipment:

• Handheld frother
• Espresso machine

Ingredients:

• Sugar Cookie Cold Foam
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½-1 tbsp sugar cookie syrup
• Sugar Cookie Latte
• 1-2 shots of espresso
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tsp sugar cookie syrup
• 1 dash red and green sprinkles

Sugar Cookie Latte Recipe

1. Make or Buy Sugar Cookie Syrup. Make my better-than-Starbucks sugar cookie syrup using this recipe! You can also buy a sugar cookie syrup from the store or online.
2. Brew Espresso. Brew 1-2 shots of your favorite coffee beans using an espresso machine. You can also use instant espresso powder as a replacement.
3. Make Sugar Cookie Cold Foam. Add syrup, heavy cream, and milk to a cup, then whip using a handheld frother until light and frothy. Don’t overwhip to make whipped cream.
4. Assemble Drink. Add ice, syrup, milk, and espresso to a separate glass, then top with the sugar cookie cold foam. Garnish with a topping of holiday sprinkles.
5. Mix and Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Sugar Cookie Latte

• Use Almond Sparingly: Start by adding one drop of almond extract and taste to see if you need to add any more. Almond is quite a strong flavor and can easily overwhelm the syrup. It enhances the other flavors but shouldn’t be the main one.
• Leave Room for Cold Foam: Leave about an inch from the top of the glass so that your drink doesn’t overflow when you add cold foam. Sometimes I forget to leave ample space and need to sip a bit of my drink before adding the cream on top. Plus, you’ll want room to stir the coffee as well.
• Make Syrup Beforehand: For convenience, make the syrup a day or two ahead of time so you can focus on the sugar cookie latte. Plus, you won’t have to worry about getting all the ingredients or taking a long time to make a drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need espresso?

No, you can use instant espresso powder, coffee concentrate, or even a stovetop moka pot as an espresso replacement. Any strong, concentrated coffee will suffice. If you don’t have that, you can also replace the latte base with a brewed coffee with a splash of milk instead.

Can I use store-bought syrup?

For sure, if you buy premade syrup, definitely use that. I would taste the syrup by itself to see the flavor before adding it to drinks. Some sugar cookie syrups tend to have an artificial or chemical flavor from the extracts, which might not taste the best.

Can I make this hot?

Yes! To make a hot sugar cookie latte, steam or warm milk before adding it to the espresso and syrup. If you want to add cold foam to this, whip the cold foam until it’s basically whipped cream, then dollop or pour it on top of the hot latte. This will help it keep its shape before it melts.

Other Starbucks Copycat Recipes to Try

If you love saving money and delicious coffee-based drinks, then you’ve found the perfect place for discovering Starbucks copycat recipes! Here are some other recipes to try and recreate your favorites at home:

• Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte
• Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
• Peach Green Tea Lemonade
• Sugar Cookie Matcha Latte