Description
A delicious Starbucks-inspired drink that combines chai concentrate with spiced apple compote, topped with oat streusel and salted caramel.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups water
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 10 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 8 whole cloves
- 6 black peppercorns
- 1 star anise pod
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 2 medium apples, cored and diced (about 2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar (for compote)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup water (for compote)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ cup oat flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for streusel)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for caramel)
- 2 tablespoons water (for caramel)
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 2 cups milk or plant-based milk
- Ice (if serving iced)
Instructions
- Start by bringing water, black tea bags, cinnamon sticks, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, black peppercorns, the star anise pod, and fennel seeds to a gentle simmer in a saucepan. Allow the mixture to steep, covered, for 15 minutes. This long steeping time draws out the deep, aromatic flavors of the spices. Once steeped, remove from heat, discard the tea bags and whole spices, then stir in the cane sugar and vanilla extract until fully dissolved. Let the concentrate cool before refrigerating it for later use.
- In another small saucepan, combine the diced apples, cane sugar, lemon juice, and water. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften—about 8 minutes. The lemon juice enhances the brightness of the compote and helps prevent the apples from brown. Stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into one tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then add this mixture to the apple mixture. Cook an additional minute until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the heated compote to achieve the desired thickness. Ensuring the cornstarch is mixed with cold water first will give your compote a smooth finish without lumps.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix the oat flour, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Incorporate cold butter cubes by cutting them in with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture forms clumps. Spread the streusel mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Once done, let it cool before breaking it into small clusters which will stay crisp longer on your latte.
- In a clean saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water without stirring. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and turns amber in color. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully whisk in the cold heavy cream and fine salt until smooth. Allow the caramel to cool slightly. Swirling the pan while sugar melts evenly is essential to avoid any burnt spots.
- To assemble, warm or froth your choice of milk. For a hot version, mix ½ cup of chai concentrate, ¼ cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons of the fresh apple compote in a mug. Top with the frothed milk. If you prefer iced, fill a glass with ice and add ½ cup of chai concentrate, ¼ cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons of the apple compote, finishing with the remaining milk.
Notes
- When preparing the chai, crush the spice pods right before steeping to maximize their flavor.
- Selecting firm tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp will yield the best taste for your compote, ensuring that they hold their shape while cooking.
- For the oat streusel, using certified gluten-free oat flour ensures it’s safe for gluten-sensitive family members.
- If you want a more intense caramel flavor, you can experiment with different types of sugars, but fine granulated sugar melts best and avoid any clumping.
- Store any leftover oat streusel in an airtight container to maintain its crunch, lasting up to three days.
- You can boost your chai by using whole spices; they release more oils when crushed just before use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg