Here’s the thing:
You religiously brew a basic cup of black coffee every day with your Keurig.
And when you feel the urge to indulge in anything different, you make your way to the coffee shop down the street.
Well:
I’m here to tell you that your Keurig is capable of replicating the delicious espresso-based latte.
So:
Stop underestimating your Keurig and follow this brief 4-step recipe for a creamy homemade latte.
Table of Contents
Preparation
| Preparation Time: | 5 minutes |
| Preparation Difficulty: | 3/10 |
| Serving Size: | 1 cup (12 Oz) |
| Best Served: | Hot |
Ingredients and Equipment
| Ingredients | Equipment |
|---|---|
| One espresso roast K-Cup pod Recommended: Death Wish Espresso Roast K-Cup Pod 6 ounces of whole milk or half & half | Any Keurig coffee maker Recommended: Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker A 12 oz mug |
Step-by-Step Preparation Procedure
For starters:
Get the ingredients you need ready. Also, ensure your Keurig coffee maker is clean and has enough water.
Then:
Click the power button and follow these steps.
Step 1: Froth the Milk
Look:
When you break it down, the popular latte is simply an espresso with steamed milk and milk foam. As such, it is necessary to froth your milk.
Here’s how to go about it:
Pour 6 ounces of milk into your milk frother. If you’re using a K-Cafe, your Keurig comes with a built-in frother; pour until it reaches the fill line marked “LATTE“.
Next:
Cover the frothing pitcher, place it onto the machine, then push the “LATTE” button to start frothing after the beep.
Note that:
The frother will also steam your milk in the process, which could take a few minutes. But don’t worry; it shouldn’t last more than 3 minutes.
Step 2: Place Your Mug on the Drip Tray
Now:
Once the milk is done frothing and steaming, pour it into a sufficient-sized mug. I suggest you use a 12 oz mug to give room for the milk foam.
Then:
Place the mug on the drip tray to collect the coffee. Make sure it is centralized to avoid spillage.
Step 3: Insert a K-Cup into Your Keurig
Next:
Open your Keurig by lifting the handle and pop a K-Cup pod into the K-Cup holder.
An espresso roast is the best K-Cup for a latte because it gives it a bold flavor and emulates an authentic espresso base.
Nevertheless:
Depending on how intensely or softly you want your latte to be flavored, you can choose darker or lighter blends.
In line with this:
According to the International Food Research Journal, younger consumers typically prefer lighter blends to avoid the bitterness associated with espresso-based beverages.
Generally, the primary prerequisite is that you use an espresso roast.
Step 4: Select the “SHOT” Button
After closing your Keurig:
Select the “LATTE & CAPP” button; this should illuminate the “SHOT” and “STRONG” options.
Then press the large “K” button at the center of the panel to begin the brew.
You see:
Since your Keurig does not have the required pressure to make a proper espresso shot, using the “SHOT” button suffices.
This option enables your Keurig to approximate an espresso by brewing a concentrated coffee shot.
Listen:
When using the “SHOT” button, it usually takes a little longer for your Keurig to start the brew. Be patient, and you’ll begin to see your coffee shot dispense into your mug in no time.
Alternatively:
If your Keurig doesn’t have a “SHOT” option, choose the smallest brew size, which usually produces 4 ounces of coffee.
Once the brew begins:
Your approximated espresso shot should dispense directly into the mug of frothed milk on the drip tray.
This creates a mesmerizing layer of milk, coffee, and milk foam that sums up your tasty latte.
Enjoy!
Boost Your Creamy Latte with CoffeeHolli’s Special Tips & Tricks
- Lattes can be customized and sweetened with a variety of flavors such as vanilla, peppermint, caramel, lavender, coconut milk, and pumpkin spice. If you’re not using a flavored K-Cup pod, you can infuse your latte with a few pumps of your preferred flavored syrup.
- Top off your latte with whipped cream if you’d like an elevated creaminess and froth. Then, sprinkle some chocolate shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon, or cocoa powder to garnish it.
- Authentic espresso has a dark and bitter base note. So, it would be best to opt for a dark roasted espresso blend because using a light roast would produce a weak latte. However, it’s entirely up to you.
- I recommend using whole milk for the best results, but almond, oat, soy milk, and other dairy alternatives work just as well.
- Croissants, chocolate, crepes, brownies, cheese, cake, and fruit are famous for pairing nicely with lattes. However, savory dishes are not excluded as they could complement your latte perfectly. Plop some bacon and eggs onto a plate to complete your meal.
