Caramel Macchiato – Easy McDonald’s Copycat

This caramel macchiato is a simple homemade version of the sweet, creamy coffee shop fave — made with just a few ingredients you probably already have. It’s cozy, budget-friendly, and comes together in like 15 minutes. Great for mornings when you want something warm but don’t feel like talking to anyone.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 5 mins
• Cook time: 15 mins
• Flavor: sweet, creamy, slightly nutty
• Great for: slow mornings, solo resets, skipping the coffee line

Why I Like This Recipe

So yeah, I didn’t mean to make this. Just kind of happened while I was pacing in socks, half-awake. I had coconut milk, some coffee, and a vague craving for something that felt… nice. It came out way better than expected. Sweet, warm, just a little fancy. I’ve made it three times this week already. No regrets.

Ingredients

For the Caramel Syrup:

• 3 tbsp coconut sugar
• ¼ cup full-fat canned coconut milk (shake it first)
• Pinch of salt

For the Drink:

• ½ cup brewed black coffee (or espresso if you’re feeling bold)
• ⅙ tsp vanilla extract (tiny but it matters)
• ½ cup oat milk (froths the best, trust me)
• 3 tbsp of the caramel syrup

For the Topping:

• Vegan whipped cream (Gay Lea coconut whip is the move)
• Extra caramel syrup (drizzle it, don’t skip)

How To Make Caramel Macchiato

1. Make the caramel syrup: In a small saucepan, toss in your coconut sugar, coconut milk, and that lil pinch of salt. Medium heat. Stir constantly — don’t walk away, it thickens fast. Once it looks syrupy, pull it off the heat and let it chill for a bit.
2. Brew your coffee + heat the milk: Make your coffee or espresso (or both, no judgment). Let it sit while you heat oat milk in a small pot until it starts bubbling around the edges. Froth it like you mean it. You want soft, foamy clouds.
3. Assemble the drink: In your fav mug (we all have one), add 3 tbsp of that caramel syrup. Pour the hot frothed oat milk over it. Stir well — or you’ll get a sad caramel blob at the bottom. Gently pour the coffee over. Swirl city.
4. Top and enjoy: Add whipped cream, a good caramel drizzle, and yeah — sip like the world can wait a second.

Tips for Success

• Shake the coconut milk first — the fat separates.
• Stir the caramel constantly. Don’t let it scorch, it’ll taste burnt.
• Froth the milk right after heating — don’t let it cool or it gets weird.
• Layer first, stir second — or not at all, if you want the classic macchiato swirl.
• This isn’t the moment to use skim milk. Just don’t.

Storage and Reheating

• Caramel Syrup: Store in the fridge, tightly sealed — 4–5 days is fine
  Reheat in the microwave in 5–10 sec bursts. Stir in between.
• The Drink Itself: Nah. Make it fresh. It takes 5 mins and tastes best right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use regular milk instead of oat?
  Sure. But oat milk froths the nicest. Regular milk works, just don’t expect cloud magic.
• What if I don’t have a milk frother?
  Mason jar trick — shake it hard with the lid on, then microwave for 30 seconds. Not perfect, but close.
• Is coconut sugar a must?
  Nope. Brown sugar’s fine too. Coconut just gives a slight toasty flavor.
• Can I make this iced?
  Yep. Cool everything down first. Pour over ice. Stir like your life depends on it.
• Can I skip the whipped cream?
  You can. But why would you?

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Using carton coconut milk for caramel: It won’t thicken. At all. Use full-fat canned or you’ll be stuck with sweet coconut soup.
• Walking away from the stove: The caramel goes from perfect to burnt real quick. Stay close, stir often.
• Not mixing the syrup into the milk: Don’t be lazy. Stir it in before adding coffee or it all sits at the bottom, sad and unloved.
• Frothing cold milk: It won’t foam right. Always heat first — not boiling, just warm.
• Overloading on syrup without tasting first: Taste, adjust, then drizzle. You can always add more. You can’t un-sweeten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 294 kcal
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 70mg
• Potassium: 200mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 36g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 28g
• Protein: 2g

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