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Brew up something special with this fun candy corn latte recipe! It’s made using fresh espresso and a homemade candy corn syrup for maximum Halloween fun!

Candy corn simple syrup is being drizzled on a candy corn latte.

As someone who has been making their own simple syrups for over a decade now, I know some seriously good ways to use them. This delicious homemade latte is better than your memories of trick-or-treating, depending how your memories of trick-or-treating are… 😳 Okay so no matter your levels of childhood trauma, this latte is a great way to celebrate the fall flavors of the (un)official candy of Halloween!

The best part about this recipe, which is inspired by my candy corn syrup for drinks, is that it can be served hot or iced. I prefer my coffee cold, but please don’t tell my relatives in Southern Italy. 😉 I’ve got you covered in the recipe card whether you want to enjoy this coffee hot or cold.

why this halloween latte recipe works:

🎃 Halloween ready. Pumpkin usually takes the focus of the Halloween coffee scene, but now it’s time for candy corn to step into the spotlight! This latte is the perfect way to enjoy the smooth, vanilla, almost marshmallowy flavors of candy corn!

🍂 seasonal fun. Statistically speaking, there’s a 50% chance that you or someone you love enjoys candy corn. Those are just the facts. If that person also loves coffee, then this latte is the perfect way to their heart this autumn.

♻️ easy to customize. This coffee can easily be customized beyond heating or cooling, by adding as much or as little milk as you want. You can also use dairy or non-dairy milk, making it easy to adapt to dietary needs!

🛒 ingredients

A labeled ingredient shot of the ingredients used to make a candy corn latte.
  • candy corn simple syrup – you’ll need to whip up a batch of this easy candy corn syrup to make the sweet foam for this coffee.
  • espresso – you will need to make a double shot of espresso for this recipe, that’s 2 ounces per drink you’re making!
  • milk – I like using whole milk or skim milk for foamed lattes, because the milk proteins foam better. Want to know more about which milks foam best? Check out the section titled “all about milk” for more information (I almost said in-FOAM-ation…must be the sugar rush 👻).
  • ice – if you’re serving this candy corn latte cold, you’ll need a full cup of ice, to the brim! Because the espresso will be a little warm, you can expect some ice to melt. Use larger ice cubes so that the espresso doesn’t get watered down, or you can even throw in a few espresso ice cubes to keep things extra caffeinated.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🥛 All About Milk in Lattes

Dairy milk

Use milk that has a higher fat and protein content for the best foaming. I used whole milk in this recipe, as it is the classic milk used in lattes, but you can use other milk if you like. Foaming results will vary, but the drink is still delicious whether your milk foams or not! 😉

  • non-fat milk – this milk will foam up very nicely, especially when making cold foam. It doesn’t have much flavor because it is fat free, but it makes a nice stable foam.
  • whole milk – this milk is high in fat and protein, so it makes a strong foam that lasts a long time in your lattes. It also adds a velvety mouthfeel, and lots of flavor.

Non-dairy milk

Since foaming depends on fat and protein, some non-dairy milk can foam, but others don’t foam at all.

  • coconut milk – this is a great option for lattes as it is high in fat and froths nicely. You may need to add some water to get the right consistency.
  • oat milk – oat milk is tricky: some brands froth well, others really don’t. It’s also important to note that certain brands that do froth better do so because they have additional ingredients like binders and oils added to them.
  • soy milk soy milk is higher in protein, so it froths well in lattes, and the foam lasts a longer time.
  • almond milk this milk tends to be too watery to hold a nice foam for long.

🍳 instructions

Brewing a double espresso.

1: Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.

A hand from out of frame pours milk into a measuring glass.

2: Using a hand frother, mix the candy corn simple syrup with the milk until it’s nice and frothy.

Candy corn simple syrup is being added to the milk in a mixing glass.

3: Pour the candy corn simple syrup into the mixing glass with the milk.

Candy corn simple syrup and milk are being frothed together with a hand frother.

4: Explanation

A hand from out of frame slowly pours espresso into a glass of ice.

5: Slowly pour your espresso into the glass with ice.

Candy corn foam is being layered onto the espresso and ice to make a candy corn latte.

6: Carefully layer the candy corn milk on top of the iced espresso. The key to getting distinct layers is pouring slowly!

A candy corn latte sits on a wooden cutting board on a dark wooden counter top. It is garnished with whipped cream and candy corn, and has a bright yellow straw in it.

7: Garnish with an optional dollop of whipped cream and decorate with candy corn. Serve with a straw!

Candy corn simple syrup is being drizzled on a candy corn latte.

8: You can also drizzle on extra candy corn syrup for added color!

Hint: use a helpful hint here.

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💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

  • autumn brunch events – serve this latte at an autumn breakfast or brunch alongside more fall favorites like pumpkin shaken espressos! This latte can be prepared hot or iced, so let your guests decide!
  • big batch tip – If you are making a large batch of iced lattes, you can froth the milk and candy corn simple syrup in a blender, then top each drink with the foam.
  • Halloween parties – having a Halloween party? Offer this latte alongside some scary cute mummy rice krispie treats for the ultimate party spread!

Choose your glass

You can use any glass you like, depending on the size of the drink you’d like to make.

  • This recipe makes a beverage that is 6 ounces in liquid volume, but the milk and simple syrup foams up. So, you’ll need a glass that can hold up to 8 ounces if you serve it hot, and up to 10-12 ounces if you pour it over ice.

Garnish

  • You can top your lattes with a little dollop of whipped cream and candy corn if you like!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

  • not enough flavor – if you want a stronger candy corn flavor, use up to 2 ounces of simple syrup. This will also make your beverage sweeter, so you may want to add more milk to balance it out.
  • too sweet – for a more mild sweetness, cut the amount of syrup to 1/2 an ounce.
  • no froth or foam – if your drink didn’t froth up well, check the ingredient label of your milk. Temperature can also affect foaming. Non-dairy milks, in particular, are more difficult to froth. The addition of the candy corn syrup also impacts the amount of foam you may get because of the added sugars.

⚖️ scaling tips

It is easy to scale this recipe up if you’re serving candy corn lattes to a crowd!

You can make a large batch of espresso ahead of time and allow it to chill in the fridge. Then, you can whip up a large batch of candy corn foam in a blender to serve everyone at the same time!

🔆 top tip

If you are using a non-dairy milk for this recipe, serve it right away after making it so that the froth, or foam, will be most presentable!

♻️ substitutions & variations

Missing an ingredient? No problem. Check out these tried-and-true substitutions, or comment below with your question. I’m here to help you troubleshoot!

  • cold brew – if you don’t have an espresso maker, you can use cold brew to make this latte. Cold brew is typically stronger than regular drip coffee, so you can substitute it in for espresso with little impact to flavor.
  • milk – use whatever milk you prefer to make this latte! Dairy or non-dairy milks can both work.
  • kid friendly – omit the espresso to make a “babyccino,” or kid-friendly cappuccino. Shake milk and candy corn syrup in a cocktail shaker, foam it with a steam foamer, or whisk it with a hand frother to get a candy corn latte without caffeine.
  • boozy – add a shot of vanilla vodka or even candy corn vodka for a spiked candy corn latte.

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

  • espresso maker – espresso makers can range from $20 to over $1,000 so there’s a lot of wiggle room depending on your budget. I have (and love) the Breville Barista Pro espresso machine, but I also like using the Bialette stainless steel stovetop espresso maker for coffee recipes. I opt for the stainless steel over the aluminum because aluminum can impart a metallic taste when preparing very acidic foods, and coffee is already pretty acidic.
  • handheld milk frother – a handheld frother is super convenient when making homemade coffee beverages. It’s a quick and easy way to whip up a cold foam for one! If you are making a hot latte, you’ll want to use a steam frother.
  • drinking glass – use whatever glass you have on hand, but be sure it can hold at least 8-10 ounces of liquid + ice. I love using a spoopy glass for this festive iced latte!
  • straw – for iced coffee beverages, a straw is a must! I love straws by GIR Co because they are silicone and can be washed easily in the dishwasher.

🫙 storage tips

This coffee drink is best enjoyed shortly after making it, especially if you want to preserve the foam on the latte.

If you can’t finish your coffee (or if you have ADHD and lose it around the house like me 💁🏻‍♀️) you can stick it in the fridge for 24 hours.

Any longer and the latte starts to curdle or separate, and that’s more of a trick than a treat.

💬 q+a

Do I need to use espresso to make this candy corn latte?

While lattes are typically made by combining espresso and milk, you can also use cold brew or a strongly brewed coffee to make this beverage.

What kind of milk can I use to make this candy corn latte?

You can use whatever kind of milk you prefer to make this latte! Depending on the milk you use, it may not froth up as well as whole milk or 2% milk does, but your drink will still be tasty!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
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Feature image of a candy corn latte. A ghost glass is filled with a candy corn latte and sits on a countertop surrounded by candy corn.

Candy Corn Latte (Fun Halloween Latte Recipe)

This candy corn latte is a great way to celebrate the fall flavors of the (un)official candy of Halloween! It uses fresh brewed espresso and a homemade candy corn simple syrup for a great tasting latte at home!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Coffee
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: candy corn, espresso, iced espresso, latte
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 114kcal
Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

  • 1 glass measuring cup
  • 1 espresso machine
  • 1 drinking glass
  • 1 hand frother
  • 1 straw optional

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces espresso 1 double shot
  • 4 ounces milk can use non-dairy or milk of choice
  • 1 ounce candy corn simple syrup
  • ice optional, for iced beverage

Instructions

For an Iced Latte

  • Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. If you are making a cold latte, allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the other ingredients.
  • Fill your preferred glass with ice.
  • Add milk to a mixing glass.
  • Pour the candy corn simple syrup into the mixing glass with the milk.
  • Using a hand frother, mix the candy corn syrup with the milk until it’s nice and frothy.
  • Slowly pour your espresso into the glass with ice.
  • Carefully layer the candy corn milk on top of the iced espresso. The key to getting distinct layers is pouring slowly!
  • Serve with a straw and garnish with candy corn! You can also drizzle on extra candy corn syrup if you like!

For a Hot Latte

  • Brew a double espresso according to your espresso machine’s manufacturer’s instructions. Place the espresso into a coffee mug that can hold at least 8 ounces of liquid.
  • Add the candy corn simple syrup to the milk of your choice, and froth it using a milk steamer. Alternatively, you can heat the milk and syrup mixture then use a hand frother.
  • Carefully layer the candy corn milk on top of the espresso.
  • Garnish with a few pieces of candy corn, layered carefully on the foam, or add a dollop of whipped cream and a piece of candy corn.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

If you do not have an espresso maker, you can use strongly brewed coffee or cold brew coffee.

Nutrition Information

Servings: 1
Calories: 77mg
Total Fat: 77mg
Saturated Fat: 77mg
Trans Fat: 77mg
Cholesterol: 77mg
Sodium: 77mg
Carbohydrates: 77mg
Fiber: 77mg
Sugar: 77mg
Protein: 77mg

The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.

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