Nothing is like going to a favorite coffeehouse and ordering a vanilla latte made freshly before your eyes. Still, between the price and calories of a single latte, it’s safer to stay home, save money, and cut calories. What goes into the coffeehouse classic, anyway?
Two percent or whole milk, a day’s worth of sugar, and caffeine. Add whip cream to that sucker, and you’re looking at a meal’s calories. Cutting back a bit can save a lot of calories with an almost equal taste and save you money.
A latte is a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and froth. Adding vanilla syrup makes the latte vanilla, sometimes topped with whipped cream.
Using skim milk and sugar-free syrup saves a lot of calories and fat without compromising taste. If the thought of cutting fat and sugar out of the drink makes you nervous, start using only skim milk and then try using sugar-free syrup.
Here are the steps to making a 12-ounce skinny vanilla latte.
Steaming the Milk
Most coffeehouses serve standard lattes with two percent milk. However, any type of milk can do for a latte. Skim milk is used in the slim latte.
Pour 10 ounces of skim milk into a stainless steel steaming pitcher set with a food thermometer, then lay the steaming wand tip on top of the liquid. To begin heating the milk, turn the dial counterclockwise. To make foam, raise the heating wand tip slightly over the surface of the milk. The secret to creating the proper froth, which should have the consistency of shaving foam, is a gentle hissing sound.
Milk burns at 180 degrees. Thus milk should not be steamed past 170 degrees because the temperature rises a few degrees after steaming. Also, avoid getting burned while heating the milk or drawing the espresso shots.
Remember that while skim milk steams faster than other types of milk, it is more difficult to froth. Always keep an eye on the temperature.
For a latte, just a tablespoon or two of foam is required, so after a few seconds of frothing, the latte maker can slide the wand farther into the milk to finish heating it. Once the milk has reached 150-160 degrees, turn off the steamer.
This will allow the milk to rise to 170°F or fall to 140°F, all of which are acceptable temperatures for a latte. After steaming milk, quickly wipe the steaming wand with a clean, moist towel.
Froth the Latte with Almond Milk
After brewing two espresso shots, the next step in making a delicious Skinny Vanilla Latte is to heat almond milk. To do this, you can use a small saucepan or a milk frother to warm the unsweetened almond milk, but make sure not to boil it.
Alternatively, heat the almond milk in the microwave until it is hot. Once the almond milk is warm, add a few drops of vanilla stevia for sweetness and mix until thoroughly combined.
Add the espresso and the heated almond milk to a blender or a frothing pitcher. Whisk or blend for about 30 seconds until the mixture begins to foam. For an extra creamy taste, you can add a splash of heavy cream. Once you have finished frothing, pour the mixture into a cup and garnish with some shaved ginger or another topping of your choice. Your very own skinny vanilla latte is now ready to be enjoyed!
Adding Desired Flavors
Next, add about one to two ounces of sugar-free vanilla syrup to the desired mug or cup. Many coffeehouses use Torani brand flavors, which are available at most specialty food stores in a smaller size.
Just before pulling the shots of espresso, pour the steamed milk into the cup with the vanilla syrup, using a spoon to hold back the froth, saving about two inches of space for the shots and froth.
Pulling the Shots of Espresso
For the greatest flavor, grind the espresso beans right before extracting the shots. Load the new grinds into the portafilter handle and tamp level before inserting into the espresso machine. Make careful to draw shots between 16 and 26, especially 18 and 23.
Pour two into the cup of steaming milk immediately after drawing satisfactory shot(s). Use one shot for less coffee flavor, and three shots for more. The espresso has a 10-second window before losing taste and becoming bitter.
Remember that drawing espresso shots may be tough, especially when time is of the essence. Before commencing any drink, draw test shots to determine the appropriate tamping level.
Garnish and Add Some Flavor
Garnishing the skinny vanilla latte with shaved ginger is the perfect way to add a touch of a hint of spicy to the vanilla and a delicious flavor to the drink. You can also garnish with some cocoa powder provides a rich, creamy flavor that perfectly complements the latte.
Enjoy!
Now that your Skinny Vanilla Latte is ready, it’s time to enjoy your guilt-free creation. This delicious beverage is sugar-free, fat-free, and contains fewer than 30 calories. All you need to do is sip and savor the creamy, rich flavor of your espresso, almond milk, and sweetener mixture.
To make your latte even more indulgent, top it off with heavy cream and a sprinkle of shaved chocolate. With just a few simple steps, you can craft a latte that rivals any café – without the hefty price tag. So take a moment to relax and enjoy your delicious skinny vanilla latte!
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
