Gingerbread Latte Drink

Featured in: Cool and Quenching Beverage Recipes

Create your own rich gingerbread latte with homemade syrup and fresh coffee. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg to outshine store-bought versions.

Lily chef cooking Cookingwithmee blog.
Updated on Sun, 11 May 2025 15:34:18 GMT
A whipped cream-topped latte in a mug, dusted with cinnamon, surrounded by festive gingerbread cookies. Pin it
A whipped cream-topped latte in a mug, dusted with cinnamon, surrounded by festive gingerbread cookies. | cookingwithmee.com

My top holiday treat has to be these spiced cookies that blend the warm taste of gingerbread with a hint of coffee! I tweaked the traditional gingerbread recipe until I got these soft delights crowned with an amazing browned butter topping. The first time I made them, my kitchen was filled with such wonderful coffee and spice smells that my family couldn't stand waiting for them to cool down. These treats now mark the official start of our holiday celebrations!

What Makes These Treats Truly Wonderful

These go way beyond regular gingerbread! Adding espresso powder creates this rich flavor that feels fancy yet comforting at the same time. When I brought a batch to our holiday cookie swap last year, I hadn't even unpacked them before three friends were asking how to make them. Even my mother-in-law, who usually stays away from anything coffee-related, called them the tastiest cookies she'd ever tried!

Ingredients List

  • For Your Cookie Base:
    *Softened butter at room temp
    *Rich dark brown sugar
    *Quality espresso powder
    *Natural vanilla extract
    *One fresh egg
    *Blackstrap molasses
    *Regular flour
    *Ginger and cinnamon, freshly ground
    *Small amount of salt
  • For The Delicious Topping:
    *Butter for the browning process
    *Finely sifted powdered sugar
    *A bit of milk
    *Extra vanilla for flavor
    *Small amount of cinnamon

Baking Instructions

Preparing Your Base
Beat the butter with sugar until it gets airy and light. The moment you mix in the molasses with espresso powder, your kitchen will smell amazing! My children always know we're making something good when these scents fill our home.
Shaping Your Treats
Form soft balls with your hands - they feel like tiny holiday clouds. If you're feeling creative, grab some cookie cutters! I enjoy watching my kids make different shapes, each one looking great in its own way.
Creating The Topping
When you brown butter, it turns into something like golden treasure with an incredible nutty smell. Mix it with the powdered sugar and you'll get this fantastic topping that really makes these cookies stand out!
A festive cup of creamy beverage topped with a star-shaped cookie and sprinkled with cinnamon, surrounded by holiday decorations. Pin it
A festive cup of creamy beverage topped with a star-shaped cookie and sprinkled with cinnamon, surrounded by holiday decorations. | cookingwithmee.com

Tips For Success

Want my tricks for knockout gingerbread latte treats? Always use fresh spices, particularly ginger - it really matters! Don't leave them in the oven too long since we want them chewy and soft. And my top suggestion: let your browned butter cool just right before mixing the topping - not too hot, not too cold - for the best texture!

Presentation Ideas

I love setting these out on my grandma's holiday dishes where the creamy topping looks like snowfall against the darker cookies. They go great with an afternoon cup of coffee or packed in pretty containers as gifts. For special occasions, I sometimes add extra topping in various designs to make them look extra festive!

Storage Advice

These treats actually taste better a couple days later when the flavors blend together! Keep them in a sealed container with a small bread slice to maintain softness. They can be frozen too if you want to prep early for the holidays. But truthfully, at my house they rarely stick around long enough to worry about storage!

Tasty Variations

Feel free to tweak this to suit your taste! Sometimes I throw in more ginger for extra kick. My friend who loves coffee adds a bigger scoop of espresso powder. I once tried dark chocolate instead of the butter topping and it was fantastic! That's the fun of holiday baking - finding just the right combo that works for you.

A glass of creamy coffee topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, accompanied by gingerbread cookie shapes. Pin it
A glass of creamy coffee topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, accompanied by gingerbread cookie shapes. | cookingwithmee.com

The Meaning Behind These Treats

These gingerbread latte treats have become an essential part of our holiday customs! There's something truly magical about how baking creates both warmth and memories throughout the house. My children are learning cooking basics by helping measure spices and watching simple ingredients turn into something special.

The greatest joy isn't just their taste but seeing everyone smile when they bite into one! Whether you make them for swapping with friends, giving as presents, or just because you need something warm and cozy, they always hit the spot. And watching someone discover their new holiday favorite? That makes all the effort worthwhile!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What if I don't have an espresso machine?

No problem! Use strong brewed coffee instead. Make it extra strong for a similar full-bodied flavor.

→ How long can the syrup stay fresh?

It keeps for up to two weeks in the fridge or can be frozen for a couple of months.

→ Is non-dairy milk okay to use?

Totally! Oat milk is great as it froths beautifully and gives a creamy finish.

→ Will this drink be too sweet?

Adjust the sweetness by tweaking the syrup amount. Start small and add more if needed.

→ Can the syrup be prepped ahead of time?

Definitely, it’s great for planning ahead. Store it in a jar in your fridge or freeze portions for convenience.

Conclusion

Create your own rich gingerbread latte with homemade syrup and fresh coffee. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg to outshine store-bought versions.

Gingerbread Latte Drink

A cozy, spiced latte made with frothed milk, espresso, and a rich gingerbread syrup. Great for chilly mornings or festive days.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Lily

Category: Refreshing Drinks

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (2 cups)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 To Make Gingerbread Syrup:
02 4 tablespoons molasses.
03 ½ cup water.
04 Pinch of salt to taste.
05 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
06 ¼ cup white sugar.
07 ¾ teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
08 ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg.
09 ½ cup light brown sugar.
10 1 teaspoon powdered ginger.
11 For the Latte:
12 Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish.
13 Marshmallows or cookies for decoration.
14 3 tablespoons of the gingerbread syrup.
15 ⅓ cup of your favorite milk.
16 Whipped cream, about ¼ cup.
17 4 espresso shots, nice and hot.

Instructions

Step 01

Blend the sugars, water, vanilla, spices, and molasses in a saucepan. Heat it up while stirring for about 3 or 4 minutes until it’s smooth.

Step 02

Add a few tablespoons of syrup to a cup, then pour in the brewed espresso shots.

Step 03

Warm up your milk, froth it, and pour into your mug over the coffee.

Step 04

Finish it off with whipped cream, sprinkle on fresh nutmeg, and add a cookie or marshmallows if you want.

Notes

  1. Double the syrup and keep it in the freezer for later.
  2. Works fine with whatever milk you prefer.
  3. This syrup is lovely in jars as a gift.

Tools You'll Need

  • Small cooking pot.
  • Machine to make espresso.
  • Tool for frothing milk.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy if traditional milk is used.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 500
  • Total Fat: 11 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 104 g
  • Protein: 1 g