Do you love caramel and coffee equally? If yes, then maybe it’s time you added caramel breve to your regular coffee menu line-up!

This creamy breve is similar in many ways to a traditional latte, except that this drink uses half-and-half instead of milk.

The result? It has an incredibly smooth texture and rich flavor that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

If you’re looking for an exciting twist on the classic cafe beverage, look no further than this caramel breve.

I’ll show you how to prepare this frothy delight step by step so that even beginner baristas can master the art of creating a perfect cup every single time.

What is a caramel breve?

A caramel breve is a type of coffee drink made with espresso, steamed half-and-half, and caramel sauce.

Homemade caramel breve.

The term “breve” means that it is made with both espresso shots (typically two) and steamed half-and-half.

The key difference between a caramel breve and other coffee drinks is the type of dairy used: instead of regular cow’s milk, a breve contains half-and-half. This gives the coffee drink an extra rich flavor and creamy texture.

So, if you’re looking for a decadent treat to try today, this recipe is worth trying out!

What does a caramel breve taste like?

Caramel has long been one of the most popular flavors to feature in lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, macchiatos, and more.

When added to a breve, it takes things up an extra notch in terms of sweetness and creamy indulgence.

Monin caramel sauce.

The taste profile can vary depending on how much sauce is used.

Still, typically, there are notes of buttery caramel that are sweet but not overwhelming, thanks to the balanced nature imparted by both elements in combination with each other.

It’s perfectly sweetened, and the caramel sauce won’t be too overpowering, so it can even be enjoyed when you’re not a fan of sweet coffees.

Which ingredients are needed for this recipe?

The best part about making coffee at home is that you only need a few ingredients.

To make a caramel breve at home, you only need the following three ingredients:

  • Espresso coffee
  • Half-and-half
  • Caramel sauce
All of the ingredients needed to make a caramel breve at home.

You can choose to finish this breve with some whipped cream for extra decadence.

If you then finish it with some more caramel sauce, you’re sure to impress your friends and family.

Can you make half-and-half at home?

Yes, you can easily make half-and-half at home with just a few simple ingredients found in most kitchens.

Half-and-half is a flavorful combination of equal parts of whole milk and heavy cream.

To make your own homemade half-and-half, you only need 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of whole milk or 2% fat milk.

  1. Pour both ingredients together in a jar or container with an airtight lid.
  2. Shake the container gently until the two ingredients are fully incorporated; this should take about 15 seconds or less.

You can also make less to start with if you only plan on making a few breve coffees today.

Frothing half and half with a whisk.

Once you’ve made the half-and-half, you can continue with the recipe. Make sure to store it properly.

Half-and-half keeps well for a few days. Have a good look at the expiration dates of your dairy. If it’s past the expiration date, make sure to throw it out and make a new batch!

How do you make caramel sauce at home?

Making caramel sauce at home is easier than you might think! The process involves melting sugar until it turns a rich golden-brown color and then adding cream for a luxuriously smooth texture.

Once you’ve made the caramel sauce, make sure to let it cool down completely. Then, you can transfer it to a nice resealable jar:

Homemade caramel sauce.

I suggest reading my complete guide to making caramel sauce here, as this holds a complete step-by-step guide with photos.

You can also use a store-bought caramel sauce if you already have this at home.

What is the best way to make espresso at home?

Making espresso at home can be a daunting task for the inexperienced.

However, with a few pieces of equipment and some guidance, you can achieve café-grade espresso drinks from the comfort of your own kitchen.

The key to making an excellent cup of espresso is in the process and technique—not necessarily in what equipment you use.

To make great-tasting espresso at home, you’ll need:

  • Fresh coffee beans
  • Precise temperature and pressure settings
  • Generous amounts of patience
  • Good quality equipment
Dark roasted coffee beans.

When it comes to choosing your tools for making espresso, there are numerous options available, including:

Nespresso Vertuo and Original machines next to each other for comparison.

Each option offers its own unique set of benefits depending on the level of quality one wishes to reach and their budget limitations.

You can use just about any coffee brewer to make espresso coffee at home, with some better than others.

But one of the key things about making coffee is the coffee beans you use:

How do you pick the right coffee beans?

The right coffee beans to use for a caramel breve depend on the flavor profile you’re looking to achieve.

To create a deeper and more complex cup of coffee, you may want to select beans that are described as “robust” or have tasting notes of dark chocolate and nuts.

Geisha coffee beans next to different coffee beans for a side-by-side comparison.

These coffees tend to stand up well against the sweetness of the caramel sauce and half-and-half in breves, creating an enjoyable balance in flavor between sweetness and bitterness.

You can use any coffee beans you prefer, not just those labeled “espresso roast,” as this is just a marketing trick.

Ethiopian coffee beans.

Darker roasts have less acidity and are better able to stand up against creamy, sweet flavors like caramel.

I don’t recommend using a light roast for this recipe, as the espresso flavor will lack body and won’t be noticeable in the breve coffee.

If you’re looking for some amazing coffee beans for espresso, you can have a look here!

Now that you have all the information to make this delicious caramel breve at home, you can follow the steps listed in the recipe below:

Yield: 1 Serving

Caramel Breve

Caramel breve, ready to be enjoyed.

This 5-minute caramel breve is a delicious take on the classic breve and is perfectly sweetened!

Prep Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • Two espresso shots
  • 2 oz (60 ml) of half-and-half
  • 1 tbsp (15 grams) of caramel sauce

Instructions

  1. Start by brewing your espresso shots. You can use any coffee brewer you prefer. I used an espresso machine today.
  2. While the espresso shots are brewing, you can steam your half-and-half.
  3. Ensure a nice layer of foam on the half-and-half, making for a great texture in your breve.
  4. Add the caramel sauce to a glass of choice. I like to use a 4oz glass, so the breve perfectly fits in.
  5. Pour the hot espresso onto the caramel sauce and give it a quick stir.
  6. Now, slowly pour the steamed half-and-half on top.
  7. Serve with a small spoon to stir all the flavors together, and enjoy as soon as possible!

Notes

You can make this caramel breve sweeter by adding more caramel sauce.

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Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 174Total Fat: 9.36gSaturated Fat: 6.10gUnsaturated Fat: 2.34gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 48.1mgCarbohydrates: 18gSugar: 18.07gProtein: 3.51g

Can you also make an iced caramel breve?

Absolutely! An iced caramel breve is a delicious, creamy treat that you can enjoy all year round.

One of the great things about this beverage is that it’s simple to make yet still incredibly satisfying.

To make your own iced caramel breve at home, follow the steps listed in the recipe card above. The only addition is ice cubes for that refreshing effect.

Caramel sauce can be hard to stir when combined with cold ingredients.

So, I suggest stirring the espresso and caramel sauce together and letting them cool down afterward.

Conclusion

After making a caramel breve, there’s no other beverage that can compare.

This simple coffee drink is so complex in flavor, combining sweetness and creaminess like no other drink.

Plus, if the weather’s nice enough, you can make an iced version of this sweet treat for a delicious summer snack.

Knowing how to make this gorgeous caffeine concoction gives you a sense of independence – no more trips wasted trying to buy it from a cafe!

More espresso-based recipes to try

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