CHESTNUT PRALINE LATTE RECIPE (STARBUCKS COPYCAT)

Here’s my version of Starbucks chestnut praline latte recipe.

Photo: Aleksandra Peric (recipe maker)

Every year, people flock to pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint mochas. But we have a soft spot for one Starbucks drink, the chestnut praline latte.

Deep, complex, buttery, and creamy, it’s a hug in a cup with the bonus of caffeine. Keep reading for the recipe.

Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte Recipe

A rich, creamy chestnut praline latte is one of the best Starbucks drinks on crisp, cool days.

Not all lattes from Starbucks are the same. You’re probably already aware of the many differences in coffee beverages and you probably have your own preference. While the Starbucks vanilla iced latte is a go-to for anyone who likes classics, this Starbucks chestnut praline recipe is for those looking for a bit more depth. It marries the nutty sweetness of brown butter praline with roasted chestnuts for the complex flavors you want in a cafe-worthy coffee drink.

A Little History

In 2014, the Starbucks coffee company introduced the chestnut praline latte to bring customers a taste of Europe.

Amy Dilger, a pastry chef by training, sought to create a drink that would encapsulate the ambiance of a European Christmas market. So she combined roasted chestnut syrup with the comforting flavors of dark sugar and spice (1).

The Homemade Version

We wanted to keep the same cozy spirit of the Christmas market alive while developing more depth. Cue the brown butter. Rich, nutty, and aromatic, it perfectly complements the nuttiness of the roasted chestnuts.

We sincerely hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as we loved developing it.

Step 1. Roast Your Chestnuts

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F.

Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water and bring to a gentle simmer on medium heat. Meanwhile, wash and dry your chestnuts. Make an “X” on the rounded side of each chestnut with a sharp paring knife, and soak in the hot water for 5 minutes.

Place 1 cup of water into the bottom of an air fryer or oven, followed by the chestnuts. Roast for 10 minutes or until the meat separates from the shell.

Step 2. Make Chestnut Praline Syrup

 Let the chestnuts cool after roasting.

As they’re cooling, bring ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, and 2 cups of room temperature water to simmer in the same saucepan. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved to make a simple syrup.

Peel and roughly chop the chestnuts and place them into a food processor with the simple syrup and 1 tablespoon of vanilla paste. Blend until smooth.

Step 3. Make Your Praline Crumble

Chop two sticks of salted butter into even ½-inch slices and place into a small saucepan on medium heat. Stir until the butter darkens in color and develops a nutty aroma.

Add 2-¾ tablespoons of room temperature water, 1-1/4 cups of brown sugar, ¼ cup of granulated sugar, and 1-¾ cups heavy cream to the brown butter. Stir until the sugars dissolve.

Add 2 cups of chopped pecans and continue stirring until the mixture thickens and reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer.

Remove from the heat, and keep stirring until the pecan mixture has completely thickened. Drop tablespoons of the mixture onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Let cool.

Step 4. Pull Your Espresso Shots and Steam Your Milk

Pull two shots of espresso, or espresso-style brewed coffee, using either an espresso machine, Moka pot, or Aeropress.

Steam ¾ cups of whole milk with the espresso machine’s steam wand. Alternatively, froth the hot milk with a 32-ounce French press.

Step 5. Assemble Your Chestnut Praline Latte

Stir 2.5 ounces of the chestnut syrup with the double espresso in a 20-ounce latte glass. Add the steamed milk, and sprinkle with crumbled praline. More chestnut syrup drizzled on top is always a good idea!

Final Thoughts

At first glance, this chestnut praline latte looks simple. There are no obvious chocolate curls or sprinkles to draw the palate. But trust us, make this drink; it’ll probably become your holiday favorite this year.

Did you make this Starbucks chestnut praline latte? Drop us a comment below, and let us know how you liked it.