How I make my Lattes & Book recs!
**if you are here for the books scroll to the bottom! :)
If you've been following my insta stories you might be tired of seeing me post about my new Ninja coffee maker!! Not sponsored- but I totally wish this was! haha! I just genuinely love this thing and wish I had gotten it sooner! Literally yall, I've had the $9 one from Walmart forEVER. Before that I had a hand-me-down Keurig, but honestly I hated using the pods and buying them.
I had planned on getting a $30 coffee maker at Walmart that at least had the delayed brew so my coffee would be ready when my alarm goes off (woe is me, I had to get up & flip a switch 😂). My long term goal was to one day be able to afford one of those super fancy espresso makers that all the cool kids have ($800-$1,000) or even one of the cheaper versions ($300). BUT YALL this Ninja one does EVERYTHING for $150!!!
It makes Lattes, Cappuccinos, ice coffee, brews 6 different sizes, has a built in fold-away frother and it's pod free!
Now I'm not one that thinks $150 is cheap by any means, but I shudder to think about how many thousands of dollars I've spent at Starbucks and my fave local coffee shop over the years. Pretty much every time I go I spend like $10 because I end up getting a snack or a sandwich along with it. So to make myself feel better, I did the math and that means if I forgo Starbucks like 15 times, I've paid for this bad boy and then some! 😄 I've had this coffee maker for like 2 weeks now and guess who hasn't been to Starbucks or even wanted to go?! 🙋🏻 (who am I?!) Plus I've been having so much fun having friends over and making lattes for them! :)
Okay so now that I've made my case for this coffee maker 😜 here's the recipes I've been using and loving!
✳ Caramel Vanilla Latte
First, I made this AMAZING caramel coffee syrup and this homemade vanilla coffee syrup recipe. SERIOUSLY make your own syrup. It's literally sugar and water - SO CHEAP to make on your own, it doesn't take long at all and they last a long time! :)
Latte Recipe:
∙ 2 large scoops (the scoop that comes with it)
OR (2 tablespoons) ground coffee (try 3 if you like it really strong!)
My favorite is Starbucks Pike Place
∙ 1 tablespoon vanilla coffee syrup (homemade linked above)
∙ 1 tablespoon caramel coffee syrup (homemade linked above)
∙ 3/4 cup milk (I use Fairlife 2% milk)
- Put the 2 scoops (or tablespoons) of coffee grounds into the filter. Grab a coffee mug (I think lattes look prettier in a clear mug). Pour your syrup into the mug and set mug in place to brew.
- Select the single cup size and press the Specialty Brew button.
While your coffee is brewing, place milk into a glass container of some sort (I use a small pyrex pitcher) and microwave for 1 minute. Use the fold away frother to froth your milk for several seconds. (Or use a handheld frother, or use a mason har with a lid and shake vigorous for several seconds).
- By then your coffee will be done brewing. Use a spoon to stir the coffee and syrup. Then pour the frothed milk into your coffee and Enjoy!!
* If you are feeling extra add a dollop of whipped cream!
** If it's a little too strong for you, add a little bit of water at a time until it is how you like it!
✳ Iced Caramel Latte Recipe
This iced latte version is pretty much the same but with the addition of ice and more milk! :)
Iced Latte Recipe:
makes 1 16oz serving
∙ 2 large scoops (the scoop that comes with it)
OR (2 tablespoons) ground coffee (try 3 if you like it really strong!) ∙ 2 tablespoons caramel coffee syrup ∙ 2 cups ice ∙ 1 cup milk
- Put the 2 scoops (or tablespoons) of coffee grounds into the filter. Grab a large cup (I used a large mason jar). Pour your syrup, milk and ice into the cup and set cup in place to brew (make sure there is enough room for about 4 oz of coffee!)
- Select the single cup size and press the Specialty Brew button.
- When your coffee is done brewing use a spoon to mix everything together and enjoy!
* If it's a little too strong add more milk or some water until it's to your liking!
✳ Book Recommendations & Currently reading!
What's better than a comfy couch, a blanket, your dog(s), a warm latte and a good book?! Here's 2 of my favorite books of all time and 2 that are on my to-read list!
House is one of my favorite books!! It's soooo good and sooo creepy! I didn't want to put it down! It's the perfect read for October!
This book is so good that I literally wanted to start reading it again right after I read it! If you like the movie you will LOVE the book! And if you haven't watched the movie- you NEED to watch it! Also one of my FAVE movies. One word of caution for the book- it has some vulgar parts when it talks about life on the circus train.
I'm currently reading this one! So far it's good! It's creepy and it has mermaids in it so it's gotta be good! :P
When I asked for book recommendations this was the #1 recommendation from y'all!! So many of you messaged me and said that it's really good! I plan to read it after I finish The Witch of Willow Hall! I'll keep you posted!
I'd love to hear from you! What are your favorite coffee recipes? Do you have any good book recommendations for fall!?
xoxo,
Mal
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