If you’ve ever craved a warm drink to cozy up with, this caramel apple spice recipe is a fantastic choice. It captures that perfect blend of sweetness and spice, making it ideal for fall evenings or chilly mornings.
This Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice recipe targets unclear heating steps, lacks nutritional facts, omits serving ideas, and misses guidance on sweetness adjustments and ingredient storage.
I remember the first time I tried making this at home; I wanted to get it just right but ended up with a bit too much sugar initially. It can be tricky to find that perfect balance, but trust me, it’s worth the effort! This drink offers a warm hug of apple flavor intertwined with the delightful spice of cinnamon and sweetness from caramel.
What makes this recipe great is how quickly you can whip it up, just about 15 minutes. It’s easy to throw together, and the smell of warming apple juice and cinnamon is simply irresistible. If you want to impress friends or family without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe is for you.
If you’re looking for a tasty treat to enjoy alongside this drink, try Puff Pastry Apple Rosettes. They’re a perfect match!
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is gluten-free as it contains no wheat, barley, or rye ingredients in the list provided.
- The recipe is not dairy-free due to the inclusion of whipped cream and caramel sauce containing dairy.
- This recipe is not vegan because of dairy in both whipped cream and caramel sauce ingredients.
- The recipe suits vegetarian diets because it contains no meat or animal-derived gelatin components.
- This recipe is not keto or low-carb due to apple cider and brown sugar, which hold significant carbohydrates.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Warm, Cozy Comfort The aroma of simmering apple juice and cinnamon fills your kitchen, creating an inviting vibe that makes you feel right at home during chilly months.
- Rich Flavor Profile The blend of sweet apple juice, cinnamon dolce syrup, and rich caramel brings together a delicious balance that warms your senses and satisfies your cravings.
- Easy to Prepare With just a few simple steps, you can whip up this drink in about 15 minutes, making it a breeze for busy days or last-minute gatherings.
- Perfect for Personalization You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of cinnamon dolce syrup, allowing everyone to tailor the drink to their taste.
How to Make Caramel Apple Spice
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop Heating
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious copycat recipe for Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice, perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) apple juice
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon dolce syrup (adjust to 1 tablespoon for less sweetness)
- 1–2 tablespoons caramel sauce (for drizzle)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whipped cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons (57 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) half-and-half
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons (12 g) confectioners’ sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Put apple juice into a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Warm the juice slowly without boiling, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Keep heating for about 10 minutes or until the temperature reaches between 130°F-160°F (54°C-71°C) as measured by a thermometer.
- Step 2: Pour or ladle the hot apple juice into a heat-proof mug carefully.
- Step 3: Stir in cinnamon dolce syrup. Start with 1 tablespoon for a less sweet drink or use 2 tablespoons for standard sweetness. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Whip heavy cream using a mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. Add confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract while whipping for sweetness and flavor.
- Step 5: Spoon the whipped cream over the drink. Drizzle caramel sauce slowly from a spoon over the whipped cream for an attractive presentation and added sweetness. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce according to preference.
Notes
- Store the drink in an airtight container away from direct sunlight or heat up to 1 day.
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Warm gently before serving to restore flavor.
- Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat carefully before serving.
- Stir the apple juice occasionally while warming to prevent uneven heating.
- If cinnamon dolce syrup is not sweet enough, add an additional tablespoon while whisking it into the hot juice.
- If whipped cream does not thicken, beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes until soft peaks form.
- To thicken caramel drizzle, simmer caramel sauce on low heat for an extra 5 minutes until thicker consistency is reached.
- To reduce sweetness, use only 1 tablespoon cinnamon dolce syrup when mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: Not provided
- Sugar: Not provided
- Sodium: Not provided
- Fat: Not provided
- Saturated Fat: Not provided
- Unsaturated Fat: Not provided
- Trans Fat: Not provided
- Carbohydrates: Not provided
- Fiber: Not provided
- Protein: Not provided
- Cholesterol: Not provided
Ingredient Notes
- Apple cider: Choose a high-quality, unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor. It adds a sweet, tangy depth to the drink that’s hard to beat.
- Brown sugar: Use light brown sugar for a hint of molasses flavor. It helps create that rich caramel taste while adding moisture to the drink.
- Ground cinnamon: Look for fresh ground cinnamon, as it makes a big difference in flavor. It brings warmth and cozy notes that pair beautifully with cider.
- Vanilla extract: Opt for pure vanilla extract instead of artificial, as it elevates the overall flavor with a natural sweetness. You’ll notice the difference!
- Whipped cream: Use heavy whipping cream for a rich topping. Whip it yourself for better texture and freshness that brings everything together nicely.
- Caramel sauce: Go for a good quality store-bought caramel or make your own. It’s the star of this drink, adding sweetness and that signature caramel flavor.
Recipe Tips
- If the apple juice doesn’t heat evenly, stir it occasionally while warming and keep it on low heat for 10 minutes.
- When your cinnamon dolce syrup isn’t sweet enough, add 1 additional tablespoon while whisking it into the heated apple juice.
- If your whipped cream isn’t thickening, turn your mixer to high speed and beat for 2-3 minutes until soft peaks form.
- For a thicker caramel drizzle, simmer the caramel sauce on low heat for an extra 5 minutes to reach desired consistency.
- If your drink is too sweet, reduce the cinnamon dolce syrup to 1 tablespoon when mixing it with the apple juice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with gluten-free pumpkin muffins or spiced apple cake for a cozy experience. Pair alongside a warm slice of berry cobbler or gluten-free cinnamon rolls.
Add to fall brunches or family gatherings for a comforting touch. Use as a base in smoothies or to enrich oatmeal bowls with apple and cinnamon flavors.
Top with a drizzle of homemade maple syrup or a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra warmth. Finish with candied pecans or chocolate shavings to enhance the experience.
Recipe variations
- You can use fresh apple cider instead of apple juice for a bolder flavor in your caramel apple spice. Add 1 ½ cups heated gently on low for best taste.
- Add 1 tablespoon of pumpkin spice syrup with cinnamon dolce syrup to introduce warm fall notes. Either cinnamon dolce or pumpkin spice syrup works well in this drink.
- You can use coconut milk or oat milk instead of half-and-half to make the whipped cream dairy-free. If using store-bought toppings, adjust caramel drizzle to 1 tablespoon.
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How to Store?
To keep your caramel apple spice fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store the drink in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.
Refrigeration: Use an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Warm gently before serving to restore flavor.
Freezing: Pour into a freezer-safe container, freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat carefully.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
- Chocolate Old Fashioned Doughnuts
- Lemon Lavender Scones
- Puff Pastry Apple Rosettes
If you enjoyed this Caramel Apple Spice or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
