This Easy Caramel Coffee Recipe tastes like a cozy coffee shop drink, but it’s simple to make at home with brewed coffee, milk, caramel sauce and whipped cream. It’s rich, creamy, perfectly sweet and ready in just minutes.
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We make this hot caramel coffee whenever we want a budget-friendly treat without leaving the house. It’s especially good on cold mornings or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
We chose to use Cool Whip to top our caramel coffee. I wanted to have a sweet treat on the top and Reddi Wip would have melted into the coffee faster. I also wanted to keep it easy as possible. You can use homemade whipped cream if you like.
Ingredients
Just a few basic ingredients are all you need to make this easy recipe.
See recipe card below for exact amounts.
Ingredient Notes
- Brewed Coffee – we use our drip coffee maker.
- Milk – we use whole milk.
- Caramel Sauce – I make a homemade caramel sauce that is so quick and easy you won’t even believe it!
- Whipped Cream – this is optional but it goes perfectly on hot coffee. We use Cool Whip because it gets melty and delicious without totally melting into the coffee.
How to Make Homemade Hot Caramel Coffee
You will need one and one-half cups of brewed strong coffee divided between two sixteen ounce cups.
- In a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup combine milk and caramel sauce, microwave for 1 minute or until hot, stir and divide between cups of coffee.
- Top with whipped cream and drizzle with extra caramel sauce, if desired.
Looking for an iced version? My homemade Iced Caramel Coffee is perfect for warm weather.
Tips
Warm the milk and caramel mixture on the stove in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Watch it closely because milk tends to boil over quickly once it gets to that point.
The amount of caramel sauce we use is just a guideline, add more or less depending on how sweet you like it.
How to Make Caramel Sauce
All you need is heavy cream, unsalted butter, brown sugar and kosher salt to make this easy microwave caramel sauce. Homemade is so easy and it taste better than store bought. It is also a fraction of the price. You will have leftover caramel sauce to use on ice cream or other desserts too! Here is the Homemade Caramel Sauce recipe.
What Type of Coffee Should You Use?
Use your favorite brewed coffee for this recipe. We usually make our coffee a little stronger than normal so the caramel flavor and milk don’t overpower the coffee taste. Medium or dark roast coffee both work great.
What is the Best Milk to Use?
This is personal preference. We usually use whole cow’s milk because that is what we always have. You can use almond milk, oat milk, or your favorite type.
FAQs
Yes. This recipe uses strong brewed coffee instead of espresso, making it simple to prepare with a regular coffee maker.
Homemade caramel sauce adds the best flavor, but store-bought caramel sauce works great too. Use a smooth sauce that mixes easily into hot coffee.
Yes. Substitute your favorite non-dairy milk like oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk and use dairy-free whipped topping if desired.
More Coffee Recipes
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Easy Hot Caramel Coffee
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups strong brewed coffee
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
- ½ cup whipped cream
Instructions
- Pour ¾ cup of coffee into each coffee mug.
- Combine milk and caramel sauce in a microwave safe bowl, microwave for 1 minute or until hot, stir and divide between cups of coffee.
- Top with whipped cream and drizzle with extra caramel sauce, if desired.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.