Graham Cracker Latte Recipe | Copycat Starbucks

Do you love the warm, sweet flavor of a toasted graham latte? This homemade graham cracker latte has honey, vanilla, cinnamon, creamy milk, and plenty of graham cracker flavor. It tastes like a cozy Starbucks seasonal drink, but you can make it at home without paying the coffeehouse price.

I love coffee. Any kind of coffee, really. Coffee and I have been besties for years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

As a treat, I like getting a specialty coffee while I’m out. You know the kind, the pretty drinks that cost much more than a regular cup of coffee. I enjoy them, but my wallet doesn’t always feel the same way. Especially when I find a new flavor I want every single day.

That is why I love making copycat coffee recipes at home. This graham cracker coffee is easy to prepare, doesn’t require a fancy espresso machine, and gives you that sweet cinnamon flavor without the coffeehouse cost.

Why You’ll Love This Graham Cracker Latte

This graham latte is warm, creamy, and lightly sweet. The honey gives it a soft graham cracker flavor, while vanilla and cinnamon make the coffee taste extra cozy.

The milk is frothed right in a mason jar, so you don’t need a special milk steamer. You can use strong brewed coffee, espresso, or even instant coffee if that is what you have on hand.

It’s also easy to change. Add more cinnamon, use extra graham cracker crumbs, or sprinkle cocoa powder on top for a s’mores latte Starbucks-style treat.

Ingredients

• Strong brewed coffee
• Milk
• Vanilla syrup, or vanilla extract
• Honey
• Cinnamon
• Graham crackers
• Mason jar with a lid
• Spoon

Honey Maid graham crackers work well for this recipe, but any plain graham crackers will do. For a stronger toasted graham cracker coffee flavor, lightly toast the crumbs in a dry skillet for a minute or two before sprinkling them over the latte. Watch them closely so they don’t burn.

How to Make a Graham Cracker Latte

1. Add the sweet flavor

Place the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon in your coffee mug. If your honey is thick, add a tablespoon of the hot coffee and stir until it dissolves.

2. Brew the coffee

Make 4 ounces of your favorite strong coffee and pour it into the mug. Stir gently to combine the coffee with the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.

A medium or dark roast pairs nicely with the graham cracker flavor. A lighter roast will give you a brighter drink, but it may not taste as rich.

3. Froth the milk

Pour 1/2 cup of milk into a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds.

Remove the lid completely. Never place a sealed jar in the microwave.

Microwave the milk for about 45 seconds, or until it is warm and the foam has formed on top. Microwave times can vary, so keep an eye on it. You want warm milk, not boiling milk.

If you have a handheld frother, NanoFoamer, or Aeroccino, you can use that instead. A milk thermometer is also helpful. Warm milk froths best before it gets too hot.

4. Combine everything

Slowly pour the warm milk into the coffee. Use a spoon to hold back the foam, then scoop the froth onto the top of the drink.

5. Add the graham crackers

Place 3 to 4 graham crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them with a spoon or the bottom of a glass. Sprinkle the crumbs over the foam.

Take a sip while it’s hot, and enjoy!

Make Homemade Graham Cracker Syrup

This recipe uses honey, vanilla, and cinnamon for a quick graham cracker flavor. If you want to make several lattes, homemade syrup is an easy option.

Combine the following in a small saucepan:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 crushed graham cracker

Warm the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove it from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes. Strain out the graham cracker pieces and cinnamon, then cool the syrup.

Store the syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator and use 1 to 2 teaspoons in each latte. The syrup is similar to the graham cracker syrup Starbucks uses in seasonal-style drinks, although this is a simple homemade version.

For the best texture, strain the syrup well. Large graham cracker pieces can settle at the bottom of the mug or make the drink feel gritty.

Milk Options

Regular milk makes a creamy latte, but you have plenty of choices.

• Oat milk gives the drink a sweet, creamy texture and froths well. (Save money and make your own oat milk)
• Almond milk adds a light nutty flavor.
• Coconut milk gives the latte a softer, slightly tropical taste.
• Soy milk is another good option if you want a richer dairy-free drink.

Different milk types foam differently. If your milk isn’t frothing properly, shake it longer or use a handheld frother. Also, make sure the milk is warm rather than cold, since cold milk usually produces less foam.

Easy Ways to Change the Drink

For a toasted version, sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the latte and toast them carefully with a kitchen torch. You can also toast the crumbs in a dry skillet before using them.

For a chocolate version, add 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder to the mug with the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. This turns the drink into a s’mores-inspired latte with graham cracker, chocolate, and creamy milk.

Want more sweetness? Add another 1/4 teaspoon of honey or a little brown sugar. For a stronger cinnamon flavor, add a small extra pinch. Start with a little, because cinnamon can take over the drink quickly.

You can also add whipped cream before the graham cracker crumbs. It makes the drink feel more like a dessert, which is never a bad thing.

Common Problems and Easy Fixes

The honey won’t dissolve. Add a splash of hot coffee to the honey before pouring in the rest of the coffee. Stir until smooth.

The milk has no foam. Shake the milk vigorously, but don’t fill the jar more than halfway. The milk needs room to expand. A handheld frother can help if the jar method isn’t giving you enough foam.

The drink tastes too sweet. Add more coffee or milk to balance the flavor. You can also reduce the honey the next time you make it.

The graham cracker crumbs feel gritty. Use a finer crumb and sprinkle only a small amount on top. If you make graham cracker syrup, strain it before storing.

The cinnamon clumps together. Mix the cinnamon with the honey and vanilla first, then add the hot coffee. This spreads the cinnamon through the drink more evenly.

Can You Make This Latte Ahead of Time?

This latte tastes best right after you make it, while the milk is warm and the foam is fresh. You can prepare the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon mixture ahead of time, or make the homemade syrup in advance.

I don’t recommend storing the finished latte for later. The foam will disappear, and the graham cracker crumbs can become soggy. If you need a cold version, prepare the coffee mixture, chill it, and pour it over ice with cold milk. Add fresh crumbs right before serving.

How to Make More Than One Serving

To make multiple lattes, brew 4 ounces of coffee per serving. Mix the honey, vanilla, and cinnamon in a small bowl or pitcher, then divide the mixture between the mugs.

Froth the milk separately for each drink if you want the best foam. You can also warm a larger amount of milk in a saucepan and froth it with a handheld frother. Add the graham cracker topping just before serving.

This makes a fun coffee bar for brunch or a casual get-together. Set out cinnamon, cocoa powder, whipped cream, and crushed graham crackers so everyone can make their own drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a graham cracker latte?

A graham cracker latte usually has coffee or espresso, milk, honey or brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and graham cracker crumbs. This recipe uses brewed coffee, so you can make it without an espresso machine.

Does Starbucks have a graham cracker latte?

Starbucks has offered toasted graham-style seasonal drinks, which inspired this homemade recipe. Availability can change, so making your own is the easiest way to enjoy a graham cracker Starbucks drink whenever you want.

What syrup makes a graham latte taste like graham crackers?

A syrup made with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, and graham crackers gives coffee that familiar baked, buttery flavor. You can use the homemade syrup above or keep things simple with honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Is this a honey graham latte?

Yes. Honey is one of the main sweeteners in this recipe, so it has the warm flavor of a honey graham latte. Add a little more honey if you want that taste to stand out.

Can I use espresso?

Yes. Use 1 to 2 shots of espresso in place of the brewed coffee. Add the milk and flavoring as directed, then top the drink with foam and crushed graham crackers.

More Coffee Recipes

• Cinnamon Latte Recipe
• Starbucks Gingerbread Chai Latte
• The Best Starbucks Gingerbread Latte Copycat
• Skinny Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte Starbucks Copycat Recipe
• How to Make Homemade French Vanilla Creamer
• Copycat Starbucks Hocus Pocus Frappuccino – Sarah Sanderson Frap Recipe

Once you make this graham cracker latte recipe at home, those expensive coffeehouse drinks may not seem quite as tempting. Brew your coffee, shake up the milk, add the crumbs, and enjoy a warm Starbucks-inspired graham latte whenever the craving hits.