Mixpert editorial recipe

Homemade Caramel Macchiato

Name: Homemade Caramel Macchiato
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Italian-American café style
Ingredients: 1 cup 2% milk; 1 tsp vanilla syrup; 2 shots (2 fl oz) freshly brewed espresso; 2 tsp caramel sauce

Vanilla-scented milk, bold espresso, and a light caramel finish create the familiar layered coffee drink without making it overwhelmingly sweet.

By Mixpert KitchenReviewed for clear measures, practical steps, and nutrition consistency.Our recipe standard

Ready in10 minMakes1 servingCalories · estimated per serving187Total sugar · estimated per serving23g

Hot caramel macchiato with milk, espresso, foam and a thin caramel drizzle.

Non-alcoholic

What you’ll need

Ingredients

1 cup2% milk
1 tspvanilla syrup · about 5 mL of labeled product counted for nutrition
2 shots (2 fl oz)freshly brewed espresso
2 tspcaramel sauce · about 10 mL of labeled product counted for nutrition

Estimated nutrition per serving

187Calories8gProtein25gCarbs6gFat0gFiber23gTotal sugar10gAdded sugar

Nutrition values are calculated estimates for the listed ingredients, preparation, and serving size. Ingredient brands, substitutions, preparation, and serving size can change the result.

Calculation assumptions

Estimated with 2% dairy milk and typical vanilla syrup and caramel sauce. Check both product labels because sugar varies by brand.

Serving basis: The calculated batch is divided into 1 equal serving.

Caffeine note: Uses two espresso shots, but caffeine varies by bean, dose, and extraction. Use the café or coffee product data for a defensible value.

Method: Nutrition is estimated from listed mass quantities or the stated label-volume basis, preparation, and cited composition data. A label-volume equivalent is not a measured gram weight. Actual values vary by brand, produce size, preparation method, and serving yield.

Quality check: database or declared-label energy is checked against macro-derived energy. Variances above 8% are blocked for review unless a documented food-specific or rounding explanation has been approved.

USDA FoodData Central ↗

See modeled quantities and references

2% milk · 244 gMilk, reduced fat, 2% milkfat · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 171267 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
vanilla syrup · 5 mL (label-volume basis)Torani Puremade Vanilla Syrup (US); 80 kcal and 20 g added sugar per 30 mL · Declared Mixpert product profile · Torani Puremade Vanilla Syrup, SKU 602211 (US market) ↗ · Manufacturer label accessed 2026-09-15 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 2 tbsp (30 mL). The recipe volume is scaled directly from the 30 mL label serving; 1 mL is retained as 1 g-equivalent because the manufacturer does not publish density.
freshly brewed espresso · 59.2 gCoffee, brewed, espresso · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 171891 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
caramel sauce · 10 mL (label-volume basis)Torani Puremade Caramel Sauce (US); 140 kcal, 26 g carbohydrate, 3.5 g fat, 22 g total sugar, and 21 g added sugar per 30 mL · Declared Mixpert product profile · Torani Puremade Caramel Sauce, SKU TOR-782005B (US market) ↗ · Manufacturer label accessed 2026-09-15 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 2 tbsp (30 mL). The recipe volume is scaled directly from the 30 mL label serving; 1 mL is retained as 1 g-equivalent because the manufacturer does not publish density. The current visible panel's 21 g added sugar is used; embedded legacy data differs by 1 g.

Sugar checkMilk contributes about 12 grams of natural lactose; the measured vanilla syrup and caramel sauce supply about 10 grams* of added sugar.

Step by step

Make it like a pro.

01
Stir the vanilla syrup into a heat-safe 12-ounce glass or mug.
02
Steam the milk to 140–150°F, then pour it over the vanilla, holding back the foam and spooning that on top.
03
Pour the espresso slowly through the foam to mark the milk, then finish with the measured caramel drizzle.

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Tools for This Recipe

Helpful equipment for making this recipe at home.

Espresso makerHome Espresso MakerAmazon search

Browse home machines for brewing espresso-based drinks.

Browse on Amazon Milk frotherZulay Kitchen Handheld Electric Milk FrotherZulay Kitchen

A handheld frother for adding foam to lattes and other café drinks.

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Easy swaps

Replace both the vanilla syrup and caramel sauce with labeled sugar-free versions to reduce added sugar; check the sauce label for dairy.
For a dairy-free version, use 1 cup unsweetened barista-style oat milk and a caramel sauce explicitly labeled dairy-free; the base nutrition no longer applies.
Use one third cup very strong brewed coffee when espresso is unavailable.

Mixpert tips

Pour espresso last to preserve the macchiato's characteristic layers.
A kitchen thermometer helps prevent scorched milk.

Good to know

Homemade Caramel Macchiato FAQs

Can I make a caramel macchiato with cold milk?

You can build an iced variation with cold milk and ice, but this recipe uses warm milk and freshly brewed espresso. Mix the vanilla syrup into the milk, pour espresso slowly to form a layer, and drizzle caramel last. The ice changes serving volume and dilution.

Can I use homemade vanilla syrup in this caramel macchiato?

Yes. Stir it into the mug before adding steamed milk so the sweetness disperses under the espresso layer. Homemade syrups vary in sugar concentration, so start with the measured volume and taste. The displayed nutrition assumes the specified syrup, not an unmeasured homemade batch.

Do you stir a caramel macchiato?

You can drink it layered for changing flavors or stir it for an even balance of espresso, milk, vanilla, and caramel.

Homemade Caramel Macchiato

Make it like a pro.

Tools for This Recipe

Easy swaps

Mixpert tips

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Homemade Caramel Macchiato FAQs

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