Gingerbread Latte

We have had a wonderful fall here in the UP this year.  Ok, so we did have a few days that it was mighty cold and yes we did even have some snow and ice already.... but for the most part we have had a beautiful fall.  Gingerbread is one of the spice that make me think of fall and winter and it is perfect in your coffee.

Gingerbread Eggnog Mocha Latte

I have to tell you a secret... I don't like the taste of eggnog alone..... BUT...  I do like the taste of it in baking and in my coffee.  And what could be better for you Christmas morning coffee then a Gingerbread Eggnog Mocha Latte.

Iced Chai Latte with Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

One of my favorite teas is Chai.. I am a big fan of all the spices that make up a good chai ~ cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, cardamom and a little peppercorn.  It smells so wonderful as it is brewing and I have had many people ask me what I am drinking.

Iced Mocha Latte Macchiato

Did you know that Macchiato means marked or stained in Italian?  I didn't until I looked it up.  First I was thinking the mark was chocolate or caramel marking on the top of the frothed milk.  Then when I was reading more it is the stained from the espresso or from the steamed milk

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

I love this time of year... love the change of colours and the cool crisp air.  Best of all is that it is pumpkin season.  I know that you could have pumpkins all year round as all you have to do is buy a can of pumpkin puree... but pumpkin is the best when fall is in the air.
I also love pumpkin flavour in my tea and coffee.. Nothing beats a Pumpkin Spice Latte or even a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte..and I have been even drinking more since I made this Pumpkin  Spice Syrup.Lately I have been coming home from work,  making myself a coffee and adding some pumpkin spice syrup , no wonder I don't sleep.

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

I have been trying really hard not to drink very much coffee and for the last 4.5 years I have done a very good job.  Only drinking it when I am visiting, where I don't want to explain why I quit drinking coffee.... But over the last couple of months I have had a craving for coffee and not just plain coffee but specialty coffees.  This also is possibly due to receiving a free sample of Don Thomas Coffee and wanting to be able to try it so that I can do a proper review.   A couple of weeks ago at our Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party, one of the other co-hosts, From Calculus to Cupcakes linked up a recipe for Salted Caramel Latte and I knew that I just had to try my own.  As I was making it I thought that chocolate would go good with it too, so hence the Salted Caramel Mocha Latte.  I did try to use chocolate squares but all I had was dark chocolate and I am not a dark chocolate fan and it was overpowering, so tried hot chocolate mix and Bingo... It worked.

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

adapted  From Calculus to Cupcakes

For one cup:

3/4 cup double strength coffee ( I used Don Thomas Coffee)

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1 tbsp hot chocolate mix (I used double chocolate hot cocoa from Harry and David)

2 heaping tablespoon salted caramel sauce (recipe below)

heavy whipping cream for topping (optional)

extra hot chocolate mix to sprinkle over whip cream

Mix evaporated milk and hot chocolate mix together and warm in microwave.  Add hot coffee and salted caramel sauce and stir.   Whip heavy whipping cream and add to top, sprinkle with extra hot chocolate mix and pour extra caramel sauce over. 

If you are like me then take pictures before enjoying... 

Salted Caramel Sauce

adapted from The Slow Roasted Italian No fail caramel sauce

2 cups brown sugar

6 tbsp unsalted butter

2 cups heavy cream

2 tsp salt ( I used kosher salt)

Combine all ingredients in saucepan.  Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, whisking occasionally.  Remove from heat and pour in jars.  Refrigerate. 

I did let mine harden slightly before putting it into my salted caramel mocha latte.

Recipes, Cooking Tips, Food Advice and Menus - KitchenDaily

this is part of a review of Don Tomas Coffee where I was given a sample to try and review.  Full review will be done by November 16, 2012.


Links: Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Wednesday Extravaganza,Farm Girl Friday Blog Fest, Foodie Friends Friday

This post was featured in Foodista Drink Blog of the Day ~ December 5/12