Brown Butter Banana Bread Iced Latte
Enjoy a coffee shop treat at home with this Brown Butter Banana Bread Iced Latte. A homemade brown butter and banana syrup gives this drink the authentic, cozy flavor of warm banana bread in every sip.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Milk frother
- Tall glass
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Syrup:
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- 1 overripe banana, mashed
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp fine grain salt
- 1 cup water
For the Latte:
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 shots espresso or strong brewed coffee
- 1-2 tbsp banana bread syrup to taste
- 1 cup ice
For the Cold Foam (optional):
- 3 tbsp whole milk
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp banana bread syrup
For the Caramelized Banana Topping (optional):
- 1/4 banana, diced
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
Make the Brown Butter Banana Bread Syrup
- Place a small saucepan over medium heat. Add ½ tbsp butter and cook until it melts, foams, and smells nutty. Sprinkle in the ground cinnamon and toast for 30 seconds until very fragrant.
- Stir in the mashed overripe banana and sauté in the brown butter for 1-2 minutes, pressing it gently until it softens and smells like baked banana.
- Add the light brown sugar and pure maple syrup. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is glossy.
- Pour in the water, stir, and bring to a gentle boil. Immediately reduce the heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Carefully pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe jar, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the pulp.
Caramelize the Banana Topping (Optional)
- In a small pan over medium heat, melt ½ tbsp butter. Add the diced banana and 2 tbsp maple syrup. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the banana is soft and the syrup is thick and bubbly.
Whip Up the Cold Foam (Optional)
- In a small cup, combine 3 tbsp whole milk, 2 tbsp heavy cream, and 1 tbsp banana bread syrup. Use a milk frother to whip the mixture until it has doubled in volume and is thick and pourable.
Assemble the Perfect Iced Latte
- Fill a tall glass three-quarters full with ice. Pour in ½ cup whole milk and 1-2 tbsp of banana bread syrup to taste. Slowly pour the 2 shots of espresso over the top.
- Stir the latte until well blended. Spoon the cold foam over the top and garnish with the caramelized banana topping, if using.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, use oat or almond milk and a barista-style plant-based cream for the foam. The homemade syrup is the star and can be made up to 2 weeks in advance and stored in the fridge. Try drizzling any leftover syrup over pancakes, oatmeal, or vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.