golden apple crisp latte
Get cuddly with a Golden Apple Crisp Latte, even when it’s still 78 degrees at 5 am and you return from a walk feeling like you just swam through the gates of Hell and back.
The beautiful thing about air conditioning is, aside from preventing an external meltdown, the cool blasts fool you into thinking it’s nicer outside than it is. Well, unless you peer to the fogged up windows or listen for the horrendous croaking of frogs that usually go hogwild when the air is saturated.
So basically, render yourself blind and deaf, crank down the AC, and pretend autumn rolled in overnight so you can justify a blanket and a mug of this Golden Apple Crisp Latte.
Oh, and the night before you plan on knocking down this drink, start a batch of Slow Cooker Spiced Apple Pumpkin Butter. You’ll need it.
I don’t love speaking in absolutes, but this time, I really highly largely encourage you to take the extra effort and whip up a batch of the Simple Maple Spice Granola sprinkled atop the frothy drink. Apple crisp wouldn’t be apple crisp without the crisp, kapeesh? The granola doesn’t require much by way of ingredients or time, just 15 minutes or so in the oven and a watchful eye. Two eyes, if you can spare them.
Simply toss together oats, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), maple syrup, and a few warming spices and lay evenly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes until crunchy and starting to turn golden. I turn my granola every five minutes and essentially stare it in the face to prevent unwanted burnage. Keep in mind that as the granola cools, it’ll crisp up more.
When the granola is donezo, prep the beverage. Brew up some hot coffee, or espresso if you’ve got a fancy machine.
Then, on the stovetop in a small pan, gently heat coconut milk, another milk, apple butter, cinnamon, turmeric, and vanilla extract until lightly bubbling. At this point, take the pan off the heat and whisk it vigorously to get a nice foam. A milk frother comes in handy here, if you have one.
Split the brewed coffee between two mugs, then pour the milk mixture atop. Squirt lots of whipped cream and spoon granola onto the fluffy pillow of whip.
Leftover granola? Use it on a yogurt bowl, to top oats, or, you know, more lattes.
The latte itself yields a lovely hue from the turmeric, which boasts plenty of suspected health benefits itself. I’ll say my sipping of this beverage will lower my internal inflammation and calm my ever-rushing mind.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup milk of choice (oat, almond, cow, etc.)
- 1/4 cup apple butter, homemade or store bought
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 cup strong-brewed coffee
- whipped cream and Simple Maple Spice Granola (recipe below), to serve
simple maple spice granola
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup pepitas
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the oats and pepitas with maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, clove, and nutmeg. Spread in an even layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes. Watch very closely to prevent burning. Let cool on the counter – the granola will continue to crisp.
- In a small saucepan, heat coconut milk, other milk of choice, apple butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and turmeric to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and whisk briskly, or use a handheld frother, until foamy.
- Divide coffee into two mugs, then pour the milk mixture overtop. Finish with whipped cream and a generous sprinkle of granola.
