If you’re searching for a cozy drink to light up your mornings or add sparkle to your evenings, look no further than the Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe. This festive twist on a French classic blends robust coffee, warm winter spices, and creamy milk into a luscious cup that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re curled up by the fire or gathering with friends, this aromatic beverage is guaranteed to bring comforting holiday magic into every sip. Let’s dive in and create a cup that’s as special as the season itself!

Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Coffee Base
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee or ½ cup espresso + ½ cup hot water
Spiced Milk Mixture
- 1 cup milk (whole, oat, or almond)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or brown sugar (to taste)
Garnish
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish (optional)

How to Make Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe

Step 1: Brew Your Coffee or Espresso

Start by brewing a cup of strong coffee or, for an extra punch, combine espresso and hot water. The goal here is to create a robust base that can stand up to the creamy, spiced milk. Choose your favorite beans or roast—something bold is best for this recipe.

Step 2: Warm and Spice the Milk

In a small saucepan over medium heat, pour in your milk and sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if you’re using them. Add the vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice. As the milk heats, whisk gently to blend the spices, making the kitchen smell absolutely heavenly. Keep the milk warm and steamy but don’t let it boil.

Step 3: Froth the Spiced Milk

Once your spiced milk is heated through, give it some froth! Use a milk frother for café-style foam, or whisk vigorously by hand if you don’t have one. The foam adds a silky, luxurious finish to your Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe.

Step 4: Combine Coffee and Spiced Milk

Pour your hot coffee into a large mug. Slowly add the spiced milk mixture, saving the foam to spoon on top. This layering gives you that classic café au lait look and an irresistible creamy finish.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

For the pièce de résistance, dust the top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg. Serve your creation warm and cozy—prepare to fall in love at first sip!

How to Serve Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe

Garnishes

For a picture-perfect finish, top your Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe with a light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg. If you’re feeling festive, add a cinnamon stick or a dollop of whipped cream. These simple touches make your mug feel extra special and inviting.

Side Dishes

This beverage pairs beautifully with holiday treats! Serve alongside gingerbread cookies, biscotti, or a slice of spiced cake. The warm spices in the drink complement baked goods perfectly, making your coffee break feel like a holiday celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

Impress your guests by serving the Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe in clear glass mugs to show off those beautiful layers. For a brunch or party, set up a DIY café au lait bar with toppings like mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or flavored syrups. Let everyone customize their cup for a fun and interactive experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover spiced milk, pour it into a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. Give it a good shake or stir before reheating to redistribute the spices and sweetness.

Freezing

While freshly made is best, you can freeze the spiced milk mixture for up to one month. Pour it into ice cube trays, then thaw and reheat cubes as needed for quick holiday lattes on demand.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the spiced milk on the stovetop or in the microwave until steamy. Froth again if desired, then pour over fresh hot coffee for a quick and comforting treat.

FAQs

Can I make the Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! This recipe works beautifully with oat, almond, or any plant-based milk. Choose one that froths well for the creamiest result.

Is it possible to serve this iced?

Yes, you can! Chill the spiced milk and coffee separately, then pour over ice for a refreshing twist on the Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe. It’s delicious year-round.

How can I make this recipe for a crowd?

Simply multiply the ingredients and warm the spiced milk in a larger saucepan. Set up a self-serve station so guests can build their own mugs with different garnishes and sweeteners.

What coffee roast works best?

A medium or dark roast is ideal, as it stands up well to the spices and milk. If you love espresso, go for it! The stronger the coffee, the more pronounced the flavors.

Can I use other spices?

Feel free to experiment! Cardamom, star anise, or even a pinch of ginger can add unique notes to your Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe. Make it your own signature blend.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe is pure comfort in a cup, perfect for chilly mornings or festive gatherings. If you’re craving something warm, aromatic, and a little bit magical, give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite holiday tradition!

Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Holiday Spiced Café Au Lait is a warm, cozy beverage blending strong coffee with spiced, steamed milk for a festive twist on the classic French coffee drink. Infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla, it’s sweetened lightly with maple syrup or brown sugar to create the perfect comforting drink for chilly winter days or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Coffee Base

1 cup strong brewed coffee or ½ cup espresso + ½ cup hot water

Spiced Milk Mixture

1 cup milk (whole, oat, or almond)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves (optional)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or brown sugar (to taste)

Garnish

Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Coffee: Brew the coffee or prepare espresso and dilute with hot water if using espresso, setting it aside in a large mug.
Heat Spiced Milk: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, optional cloves, vanilla extract, and maple syrup or brown sugar. Heat gently, whisking occasionally until the mixture is warm and steamy but not boiling.
Froth Milk: Use a milk frother or whisk vigorously to froth the spiced milk mixture, creating a light foam to top the drink.
Combine and Serve: Slowly pour the spiced milk into the mug with coffee, holding back the foam, then spoon the foam on top.
Garnish: Sprinkle with a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg, if desired, and serve warm immediately.