Chestnut Praline Latte

For Christmas, this Starbucks imitation Chestnut Praline Latte is ideal! It can be served hot or cold and is made with homemade chestnut praline syrup. Add a crunchy sugar coating and whipped cream on top. Like Starbucks, the beverage is vegan-friendly!

Why This Recipe Works

Starbucks at home: I like coming up with meals that draw inspiration from Starbucks! Making your own at home is less expensive, healthier, and easier than buying them out! My all-time favorite Starbucks coffee drink is the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, but this latte comes in second!

A latte with toasted pecans is the ideal Christmas drink, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts is one of the most delightful Christmas aromas! My favorite is this chestnut latte, but my other two favorites are the Vegan Eggnog Mocha and the Christmas Spiced Hot Chocolate.

Chestnut praline syrup –The homemade syrup is the best part of this drink! Add it to hot cocoa, hot or iced lattes, cocktails, or pancakes. Store-bought syrup (I usually prefer Monin) can be used, but it will never be as good as homemade, especially for this flavor, which is hard to replicate.

Easy and simple –Despite using homemade syrup, the recipe is really easy to make and doesn’t call for any complicated components. Instead of roasting and peeling the chestnuts, you can buy them already prepared (usually steamed) and toast them with pecans to add a little roasting and flavor.

Ingredients

Chestnuts –I recommend using a packet of precooked chestnuts. They have already been peeled, so they are ready to eat. You can roast your own if you are unable to locate any packets.
Pecans –The best option is to look for raw pecans. Since you will be toasting them yourself, they must be uncooked and unroasted.
Sugar – I combined cane sugar and dark brown sugar in a 3:1 ratio. Maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar or nectar, dark brown sugar, cane sugar, or regular brown sugar can all be used. You can also use any sugar replacement that works well in a 1:1 ratio. Note that substituting a different type of sugar will change the flavor of the syrup.
Espresso –This latte requires two shots of espresso, just like Starbucks’ grande-sized latte. Add three shots if you’d rather order a Venti. One shot of espresso is included in a tall drink.
Oat milk –I used oat milk to make this drink vegan. For this recipe, you can use any milk that you typically use for lattes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chestnut Praline Syrup

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
Arrange the pecans and chestnuts on a baking sheet. Cut the chestnuts in half or halves to roast them more evenly within.
Roast for approximately ten minutes, or until fragrant. To keep the nuts from burning, keep a constant eye on them.

Add the chestnuts and pecans to a medium skillet after roughly chopping them. Add cane sugar, dark brown sugar, and water.
To ensure the sugar melts and doesn’t burn, bring to a boil and stir often. Over low heat, bring the syrup to a boil and whisk occasionally for ten minutes.

After taking the syrup off of the stove, stir in the vanilla extract and a touch of salt. Stir and let cool for 10 minutes, then strain and transfer the syrup to a jar.
Cover the syrup and place it in the refrigerator after it has completely cooled.

Hot latte: Before foaming, warm your milk on the stove or use a milk frother that does it for you. After pouring it into a mug, add one or two shots of espresso and the chestnut praline syrup on top. Top the drink with whipped cream and a sugar garnish (turmeric and cinnamon sugar).

Iced latte: To make your milk foam, use a milk frother that is set to the cold setting. Brew the espresso while it’s frothing. In a tall glass, pour the frothy milk over the ice, followed by the syrup and espresso. Serve with a straw and top with whipped cream if desired.

Serving and Storing

The latte can be served either hot or cold. For a little more flair, garnish with praline and whipped cream. Like in this Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte, I prepare a lazy version of the topping with simply cinnamon and turbinado sugar. It only takes a minute and is crispy. You can roast some nuts, cut them into slices, and combine them with the sugar if you want it to resemble Starbucks more. Its flavor would also be improved by topping it with finely chopped candied pecans!

The syrup can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to two weeks, but the drink should be consumed immediately.