Naturally Sweetened Caramel Macchiato. This vegan, dairy-free, healthier caramel macchiato recipe is rich in caramel flavor, with fewer calories than the coffee shop version! Heaven is a place on earth. It’s inside the caramel macchiato.
What is your favorite coffee treat?
Are you all about the Pumpkin Spice Latte? How about the CDL, the WM, PM, or the CM?
I recently began making caramel macchiatos using homemade caramel, and let me tell you, people: best idea I ever did have. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the CM, it includes caramel, espresso, frothy milk, and more caramel.
For me, anything frothy will work!
Part of me wonders if the majority of the plight in our nation is due to under-caffeinated decisions.
I say this because I know what happens in my own life when I haven’t sufficiently Joe-d. Bad things happen to good contact lenses, hours of work gets erased, lotion becomes conditioner, ceramic things get broken, all the bads. All the bad things happen.
If I had it my way, the second I wake up in the morning, caffeine would be injected into my veins through an IV. Start a central line of 400 milligrams of caffeine and make it snappy, son!
So it just makes me think: would the world be in a better place if we could all just do our part to ensure we’ve had enough coffee.
I’ve heard faint whisperings about this rare breed of person who functions extraordinarily well without a lick of caffeine in the morning. Who are these people, and why can’t I be more like them? Because the things I do while under-caffeinated typically can’t be un-done.
And the things I say nine times out of ten require forgiveness. Thankfully, there’s this entire industry revolving around coffee, which does its part in keeping my life as caffeinated and plight-free as possible.
For my milk selection, I froth up unsweetened almond milk using my milk frother (if you don’t have a milk frother, whisk milk on the stove top to heat and froth), but you can also use cow’s milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, hemp milk, and the beat goes on.
I use the same homemade Paleo Salted Caramel I showed you in my recipe for Cheddar Cheese Crepes with Spiced Apples and Salted Caramel.
The caramel is made with coconut milk, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and salt. BOOM! Naturally sweetened caramel = naturally sweetened caramel macchiato.
Simply brew a strong cup of coffee using your favorite method, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of the homemade caramel, and mix with warmed or frothed non-dairy milk.
Do your part to end world plight. Caffeinate.
Naturally Sweetened Caramel Macchiato (vegan)
Ingredients
For the Salted Coconut Caramel Sauce:
- 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
For the Caramel Macchiato:
- 6 ounces strong-brewed coffee or 1 shot of espresso
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon salted caramel sauce + more for serving
Instructions
Make the Salted Coconut Caramel:
- Add the coconut milk, maple syrup, and coconut sugar to a medium-sized sauce pan and bring it to a full boil. Allow mixture to boil, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt to the caramel mixture. Stir until combined, then remove caramel from the heat. You can use caramel right away or pour it into an air-tight container to use later (the longer it sits, the thicker it will get). Caramel lasts in your refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks.
Make the Caramel Macchiato:
- Heat the milk using a milk frother or heat it in the microwave or stove top until hot, but not scalding.
- Add 1 tablespoon of prepared caramel to the bottom of a mug. Add 6 ounces of strong coffee (or 1 to 2 shots of espresso) and stir until well-combined.
- Add the frothed milk.
- Drizzle a fancy caramel design on top of the foam and enjoy!
This looks fabulous. I need that coconut caramel in my life to drizzle on everything. Bring me one??
The coconut caramel is KILLER! You’ll want it on every dang thing. Let’s do brunch with CMs!
Hey! I need one of these. My cup is empty, and I have a sleeping beagle on my lap and no way to get up. So, if you could mosey over here and bring me one, that would be awesome. K. See you in a few. 🙂
Awww what to do when you’re nice and comfy with a sweet little pup on your lap, but are in need of more coffee? Sigh…le life. I’d happily bring you a mug o’ macchiato! Be there in a few with scones. P.S. do you take booze in your Joe? I kid, I kid. 😉
If this weather keeps up, I’ll need some booze in my coffee.
And hey!! Stephie and Alex got this for me for Christmas!! Woo!! I just ran off this recipe and I’m making it as soon as I get to the grocery for the coconut milk (sad face, because I just discovered I’m out of it). AND that means that I have one for us to play with when you are here helping us in April. I’m really getting excited. 😀
YES! Let me know how you like the caramel..I was spoon-feeding it to myself non-stop. I love that iCoffee maker, and funny enough, I gave my mom one for Xmas…great minds think alike 😉 Enjoy your new machine!! xoxo
I gave up caffeine a month ago, and the withdrawal headaches were the pits. Why, I’m not really sure. Some part of my brain, the not-so-smart lobe, convinced me to do it. I’ll take this gorgeous macchiato sans the caffeine.
My addiction to coffee is pretty vicious, so I think about giving it up all the time in order to test my will power. With or without the caffeine jolt, I think you’d love this macchiato!
Oooh, I love the way you did the caramel on top! Pretty! I need a warm drink today, it’s only 25 degrees out!
25 degrees?! You need all the hot drinks you can get, girl! Let me know if you give the CM a try 🙂
True story: when I was in high school, I ordered caramel macchiatos from Starbucks ALL THE TIME, and they usually came out to be the size of a latte. Well, I ordered a plain macchiato from a local coffee shop, and when I looked inside the cup, it was only 1/4 of the way full! Where was the rest of my drink?? I added a ton of milk in it, and the barista looked a bit confused by my ways. It wasn’t until years later that I realized how a traditional macchiato should look like!
Anywho…Totally pinned this to try later!
Okay, so I don’t drink coffee, right. Well last week I made cupcakes with espresso powder and of course I ate two right away. I swear, I got so much shit done that day!! lol Maybe I should rethink this whole caffeine thing.
Especially when it looks as easy and delicious as this!
Just have to tell you that I am one of those weirdos who just can’t do caffeine. I used to, but I quit it about 35 years ago, and since then I can’t sleep for 24 hours if I ingest any. I even had to give up an evening snack with cocoa in it… 🙁 I’m sleeping better since I did that, but I sure miss the chocolate. Hope you can continue to get as much caffeine as you need – you can have mine! I’ll happily donate it to you.
You are Wonder Woman. A naturally sweetened caramel macchiato (with salted COCONUT CARAMEL sauce)?? Just inject this right into my veins.
That foam is perfect, I need a milk frother asap! This is perfect and so much better than any chain-bought variety.
What is there not to love. Coffee drinks are such a pleasure in life.
Oh this looks so good. I have to have my coffee in the morning before anyone (hubby) is allowed to ask me anything! Have to laugh at myself though…I know PSL, but not CDL, PM, WM.
This looks amazing! I have been wanting to buy a milk frother for some time..I think I might.
Nom!!! Caramel macchiatos are my drink of choice throughout most of the year! Except when it’s CPL season (I can’t stay away from those, try as I might). I’ll definitely need to break out the milk frother and make me a couple (dozen) of these.
I relied heavily on caffeine too but about two years ago i kinda detoxed myself because i was at a point where i thought i need an IV as well..i try to drink only 2-3 times a week now compared to ALL THE TIME. Caffeine does make everything so much better though, cant deny that.
That salted coconut caramel sauce is like the sexiest food I ever did see. CAFFEINATE ME!!!!
You got it, sister! Six caramel macchiatos, coming right up! That’s three for each of us. Because 1 isn’t enough. Not ever.
I would like one of those first thing tomorrow morning (minus the caffeine while I am pregnant). That looks AMAZING!
Whenever I hit up Starbucks, the caramel macchiato is FOR REAL my drink of choice. How do you know me so well?! I’m about to save so much money by making it at home.
This looks so delicious Julia! I’ve got to give this one a try. Never made a macchiato at home yet!
Yes yes yes! You must do! So easy, so delicious, so RIGHT up your alley!
I LOVE that machine! Good stuff going on here 🙂
I realize that I am 3 years late to this post but felt the need to express my OBSESSION with this caramel drizzle!!! As a former Starbucks drizzle addict and a current vegan, this has become a game-changer! Thank you!