The Best Sugar Cookie Latte (Starbucks Copycat)

The Sugar Cookie Latte (Starbucks Copycat) has become one of the most requested seasonal coffee drinks because it delivers comfort, nostalgia, and café-level flavor without being overly complicated.

In today’s modern kitchen, home cooks want control over ingredients, sweetness, calories, and cost—and that’s exactly where homemade versions shine.

For the any cook, this recipe looks approachable and realistic: no espresso machine required, no specialty syrups, and no barista skills needed.

With pantry-friendly ingredients and simple steps, anyone can recreate the cozy flavor of the Starbucks sugar cookie latte at home.

I will show you how to make the base syrup and the drink so it tastes exactly like the iced sugar cookie latte starbucks fans love, but better.

What Is A Sugar Cookie Latte?

A sugar cookie latte (starbucks copycat) is a coffee drink that mimics the flavor of a classic butter cookie.

It usually features blonde espresso, which is lighter and smoother than regular coffee. The sweetness comes from a specialized syrup that tastes like cookie dough and toasted sugar.

Unlike overly sweet coffee drinks, this latte is balanced, making it popular on menus like the Starbucks sugar cookie latte and even similar offerings seen on the 7 Brew menu.

What Does Sugar Cookie Latte Taste Like?

It tastes like a liquid sugar cookie with a caffeine kick. You get notes of warm butter, toasted vanilla, and a hint of almond. Unlike a regular vanilla latte, this has a “baked” depth that makes it feel very cozy and nostalgic.

Why You’ll Love This Sugar Cookie Latte Recipe?

• Saves Money: You can make a whole week of drinks for the price of one store-bought cup.
• Real Ingredients: No strange preservatives or “natural flavors” that taste like plastic.
• Control Your Sugar: You decide how sweet to make it.
• Better Flavor: The sugar cookie latte syrup we make here has a much richer profile than the bottled stuff.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Latte Recipe

Recipe Overview

This easy sugar cookie latte recipe is designed for busy mornings. Once you make the syrup, the drink takes less than two minutes to pull together.

• Prep time: 10 minutes (for the syrup)
• Cook time: 5 minutes
• Total time: 15 minutes
• Cuisine: American
• Course: Breakfast / Drinks
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Yield: 1 latte
• Servings size: 12 oz
• Calories per serving: Approx 160 kcal

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Glass jar with a lid
• Tablespoon
• Coffee mug or tall glass
• Small whisk or frother

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 teaspoon cake batter extract
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream (optional for extra richness)

Sugar Cookie Latte

• 3 teaspoons Nescafe blonde espresso powder
• 3 ounces hot water
• 2 tablespoons sugar cookie syrup
• 6 ounces almond milk (chilled for iced, steamed for hot)
• Ice
• Nonpareil sprinkles (red and green)

Ingredient Notes

• Brown Sugar: Using brown sugar instead of white gives the sugar cookie starbucks flavor a deeper, caramelized taste.
• Cake Batter Extract: This is the “magic” ingredient. It provides that specific doughy flavor that makes it taste like a real cookie.
• Blonde Espresso: I use the Nescafe blonde espresso powder because it is light and sweet. Regular espresso can sometimes be too bitter for this delicate flavor.
• Almond Milk: Starbucks uses almond milk for this drink because its nutty notes pair perfectly with the almond extract in the syrup.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Sugar Cookie Syrup

1. Place the water and brown sugar into a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir the mix until the sugar dissolves. Let it come to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the heat.
4. Whisk in the cake batter extract, vanilla extract, almond extract, and the pinch of salt.
5. If you want a creamy sugar cookie latte starbucks creamer style base, stir in the 3 tablespoons of heavy cream now.
6. Pour the syrup into a glass jar and let it cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Coffee Base

1. Put 3 teaspoons of the blonde espresso powder into your glass.
2. Add the 3 ounces of hot water and stir until the powder is gone. This creates a concentrated “shot” of coffee.

Step 3: Mix the Latte

1. Add 2 tablespoons of your cooled sugar cookie latte syrup to the espresso. Stir well.
2. For an Iced Latte: Fill the glass with ice. Pour the 6 ounces of cold almond milk over the top.
3. For a Hot Latte: Steam or froth the almond milk until it is hot and bubbly. Pour it into the mug with the espresso mix.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touch

1. Shake a few red and green nonpareil sprinkles on top. Serve your copycat Starbucks sugar cookie latte immediately while the bubbles are fresh.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 160 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Sugar: 19g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 4g
• Sodium: 95mg

Variations on Sugar Cookie Latte

1. 7 Brew Style: If you love the 7 brew menu, try adding a pump of white chocolate sauce to this recipe. It makes it taste like their “Birthday Cake” chiller.

2. Oat Milk Version: Swap the almond milk for extra creamy oat milk. This is a popular way to order the iced sugar cookie latte starbucks version for a thicker texture.

3. Dairy-Free Creamer: Skip the heavy cream in the syrup and use a coconut-based creamer for a vegan-friendly sugar cookie latte starbucks creamer alternative.

How This Compares to Starbucks & 7 Brew

While the Starbucks sugar cookie latte is polished and consistent, the homemade version wins in freshness, customization, and ingredient transparency. Drinks inspired by the 7 Brew menu often focus on bold sweetness, while this recipe stays balanced and cookie-forward.

Serving Suggestions

This drink is perfect for a holiday breakfast or a mid-afternoon treat.

➤Pairing: Serve with a real sugar cookie or a slice of lemon loaf.

➤Presentation: Use a clear glass for the iced version so you can see the milk marble into the coffee.

Storing Tips

• Syrup Storage: Keep your leftover syrup in the fridge for up to two weeks. The flavors actually get better after a day or two.
• Pre-mixing: Do not mix the milk and coffee until you are ready to drink. The milk can separate if it sits too long with the acidic coffee.

Pro Tips for Sugar Cookie Latte

✅Avoid Overheating: When making the syrup, do not let it boil vigorously. A light simmer is all you need to melt the sugar without burning the extracts.

✅Froth the Milk: Even for the iced version, you can froth the almond milk for 30 seconds to give the drink a more luxurious mouthfeel.

✅The Salt Trick: Never skip the pinch of salt. It cuts through the sweetness and makes the cookie flavor pop.

More Starbucks Drink Recipes

▶Iced Cherry Chai Latte

▶Guava White Tea Lemonade

▶Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte

▶Pumpkin Cold Foam Recipe

FAQ Section

Conclusion

This easy sugar cookie latte recipe follows real-food principles, respects classic flavor balance, and gives home cooks the tools to create café-style drinks without guesswork.

Whether you’re looking for a copycat Starbucks sugar cookie latte or a healthier daily coffee ritual, this recipe delivers consistency, comfort, and flexibility.

I hope you love this easy sugar cookie latte recipe as much as I do. It is such a relief to have the flavors of the holidays in my hand without having to leave the house.

If you try this, please tell me how it turned out! I love hearing about your coffee creations.