Copycat Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte Recipe

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Dutch Bros holds a special place in your heart—and your coffee cup. For many of us, fall just isn’t complete without indulging in their legendary Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte. The cozy combination of warm espresso, velvety milk, and the sweet, spiced flavors of cookie butter is downright irresistible.

How to make a Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte

The Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte is a seasonal coffee drink inspired by the flavor of speculoos cookies (the spiced European cookies used to make cookie butter).

Ingredients

Essential Components:

• 2 shots of espresso
• 1 cup of milk (any kind)
• Traditional choice: 2% milk
• Dairy-free options: Oat milk or almond milk (oat milk pairs especially well with the cookie butter flavor!)
• 1–2 tablespoons of cookie butter spread (like Biscoff Cookie Butter or Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter)
• 1 tablespoon of caramel syrup
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup (for that hint of sweetness Dutch Bros is known for)

Optional Toppings:

• Soft Top® substitute: Whipped cream or sweet cream cold foam
• Cookie butter drizzle: Melted cookie butter for drizzling over the top, or use a store-bought drizzle.
• Crushed cookies: Sprinkle some crushed Biscoff cookies on top for added crunch and flavor.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Espresso

1. Brew two shots of espresso using your espresso machine. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can use:
2. Strong brewed coffee as a substitute (about 1/2 cup concentrated coffee).
3. Instant espresso powder mixed with water.
4. Set the espresso aside once brewed.

Step 2: Heat and Flavor the Milk

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm your 1 cup of milk. Stir occasionally to ensure it doesn’t scald.
2. Once the milk is warm, stir in the cookie butter spread until fully melted and combined.
3. Add the caramel syrup and vanilla syrup to the milk mixture, whisking well to combine. This step gives your latte that rich, sweet, buttery taste similar to the Dutch Bros version.

Step 3: Combine the Espresso and Milk

1. In a mug, pour the prepared espresso.
2. Slowly add the warmed milk mixture to the espresso, stirring to blend the flavors.
3. Adjust the sweetness to your taste—if you prefer a sweeter latte, you can add an additional teaspoon of caramel or vanilla syrup.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

1. Top your latte with whipped cream (or a homemade sweet cream cold foam for a Soft Top® alternative).
2. Drizzle melted cookie butter over the topping. You can microwave a small scoop of cookie butter for 10–15 seconds to soften it.
3. For an extra touch of flair, sprinkle crushed Biscoff cookie crumbs over the top.

Tips for the Perfect Cookie Butter Latte

• Get creative with syrups and flavor balance. The Dutch Bros latte is all about the right mix of sweetness and creamy spice. Feel free to adjust the amount of caramel and vanilla syrup to suit your taste!
• Froth your milk for a café-style texture. If you have a frother or steam wand, use it to froth your milk before pouring it into the espresso. This creates a luxurious and velvety texture.
• Make it iced. To make an iced version, let the espresso cool slightly and pour it into a glass over ice. In this case, skip warming the milk—use cold milk and mix it with the syrups and melted cookie butter before pouring over the espresso.
• Want it extra indulgent? Add an extra spoonful of melted cookie butter to the bottom of your mug before serving.

What to serve with

A Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte is already a flavorful and indulgent treat, but it can be taken to the next level when paired with the right side dishes or snacks. The latte’s warm, sweet, and spiced cookie-like flavor makes it an ideal companion to a variety of baked goods, savory snacks, and light treats.

• Biscoff Biscuits (or Speculoos Cookies): Why not pair a Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte with the very cookies that inspired it? Serve your latte with a plate of crispy Biscoff biscuits or Speculoos cookies for a cohesive and indulgent cookie butter overload. You can dip the cookies right into your drink for a soft, delicious bite!
• Cinnamon Rolls: The warm flavors of cinnamon rolls complement the spiced notes of the cookie butter beautifully. Opt for a classic cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, or try a version topped with caramel drizzle for extra sweetness.
• Shortbread Cookies: Buttery and crumbly, shortbread cookies match the latte’s rich, creamy texture. Their simplicity balances the coffee’s sweetness, making them an ideal pairing.
• Coffee Cake: The crumbly, spiced layers of a coffee cake go hand-in-hand with the flavors of a Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte. Choose one with a cinnamon streusel topping for an extra-cozy vibe.
• Dutch Stroopwafels: Staying true to the Dutch theme, serve your latte with stroopwafels—thin Dutch waffles filled with gooey caramel syrup. Place a stroopwafel on top of your hot Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte to soften it, and you’ve got a match made in dessert heaven.
• Muffins: Muffins are an excellent pairing, with flavors like banana nut, pumpkin spice, or apple cinnamon complementing the latte’s fall-inspired sweetness.
• Brownies or Blondies: For an extra indulgent experience, pair the drink with fudgy brownies or warm blondies. Their dense texture and chocolate or caramel notes work well with the latte’s rich flavor.
• Pound Cake: A lightly-sweetened pound cake brings balance to a Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte. Consider variations like vanilla, lemon, or almond pound cake to switch up the flavor pairings.
• Donuts: Glazed or cinnamon-sugar donuts are a fun pairing choice. The airy texture of a donut combines perfectly with the creamy and thick latte. Try classic flavors or experiment with more adventurous options like caramel or maple donuts.

Ingredients Substitutes

If you’re eager to whip up a Dutch Bros-inspired Cookie Butter Latte but don’t have all the original ingredients on hand, don’t worry! With a few clever substitutions, you can still achieve that creamy, spiced, and irresistible flavor profile.

1. Espresso

Original:

• 2 shots of espresso: Espresso provides the rich, bold coffee base that balances the sweetness of the latte.

Substitutes:

• Strong Brewed Coffee: Instead of espresso, use double-strength brewed coffee. This works well if you don’t have an espresso machine. Use ½ cup of strong coffee as a replacement for two shots of espresso.
• Instant Espresso Powder: Dissolve 1–2 teaspoons of espresso powder in hot water (½ cup) to mimic the deep, concentrated flavor of espresso.
• Cold Brew Coffee: For an iced latte version, use cold brew concentrate to achieve a bold and smooth coffee flavor.

2. Milk

Original: 2% milk or your milk of choice.

Substitutes:

Dairy-Free Milks:

• Oat Milk: Its creamy texture and slightly sweet flavor make it one of the best substitutes for dairy milk in this latte.
• Almond Milk: Light and nutty, almond milk complements the cookie butter flavor well.
• Coconut Milk: For a richer drink, especially in iced versions, use full-fat canned coconut milk or barista-grade coconut milk.
• Soy Milk: A thicker dairy-free option with a neutral flavor that works well in coffee drinks.
• Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream: For a more indulgent experience, replace a portion of the milk with half-and-half or heavy cream to create a richer texture. Dilute with water if needed to reduce the heaviness.

3. Cookie Butter Spread

Original: Biscoff Cookie Butter or a similar spiced cookie butter spread (like Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter).

Substitutes:

• Homemade Cookie Butter: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own cookie butter! Blend crushed Biscoff or Speculoos cookies with a bit of melted butter, brown sugar, and cream until smooth. Adjust sweetness and spices as needed.
• Almond Butter with Spices: Mix almond butter with brown sugar, a hint of cinnamon, and a dash of nutmeg for a delicious treat. While it won’t taste exactly the same, you’ll get a nutty, spiced flavor profile that pairs well with the latte.
• Nutella: For a chocolatey twist, use Nutella as an alternative. It won’t have the same spiced flavor, but it creates a decadent variation of the latte.
• Peanut Butter with Adjustments: If you go the peanut butter route, mix it with some maple syrup or cinnamon to soften the strong peanut flavor and bring out the warmth of a cookie butter-inspired latte.

4. Sweeteners

Original: Caramel Syrup and Vanilla Syrup

Substitutes:

• Homemade Caramel Syrup: Simmer sugar, water, and a dash of butter to make a quick and easy caramel syrup.
• Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that adds depth and complements the warm flavor of the latte.
• Brown Sugar Syrup: Combine equal parts brown sugar and water on the stove until the sugar dissolves. Add a pinch of cinnamon for an extra layer of flavor.
• Honey or Agave Syrup: Both are excellent natural sweeteners. Keep in mind that these will slightly alter the flavor, making it less buttery but still delicious.
• Vanilla Extract: If you don’t have vanilla syrup, add ½–1 teaspoon of vanilla extract directly to the drink for a hint of vanilla flavor.

5. Soft Top® Substitute

Original: Soft Top® whipped cream alternative (a Dutch Bros specialty).

Substitutes:

• Whipped Cream: Easily the best substitute—dollop store-bought or homemade whipped cream on top of your latte.
• Sweet Cream Cold Foam: Blend heavy cream, milk, and a bit of vanilla syrup or sweetened condensed milk until frothy. This creates a thick, creamy topping similar to Dutch Bros’ Soft Top®.
• Coconut Whipped Cream: For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream whipped to fluffy peaks. Add powdered sugar for sweetness, if desired.

6. Cookie Butter Drizzle

Original: Melted cookie butter spread drizzled on top for decoration and flavor.

Substitutes:

• Caramel Sauce: Caramel drizzle is a delicious alternative that pairs beautifully with the spiced latte flavors.
• Chocolate Sauce: For a mocha-inspired variation, add a drizzle of chocolate sauce instead.
• Peanut Butter or Nut Butter Drizzle: Slightly warm the nut butter to create a smooth, pourable consistency, and drizzle over the top.

7. Crushed Cookie Topping

Original: Crushed Biscoff cookies sprinkled over the whipped cream.

Substitutes:

• Graham Crackers: Crushed graham crackers are an easy alternative with a similar flavor profile.
• Digestive Biscuits: Commonly found in many countries, digestive biscuits can be crushed and used as a topping.
• Oats or Granola: A sprinkle of spiced granola or toasted oats can give your drink a unique and wholesome crunch.

Final Thoughts

No matter which option you choose, the key is to enjoy your pairing while savoring the rich, creamy indulgence of your homemade Dutch Bros Cookie Butter Latte.

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