chocolate hazelnut latte

January 17, 2019 by Stephanie Jump To Recipe

chocolate hazelnut latte in glass mug

This Chocolate Hazelnut Latte recipe is the perfect pick-me-up coffee drink for mornings, afternoons, or whenever you need a little extra oomph with a lot of creamy, chocolate-hazelnutty flavor. It comes together in less than five minutes and tastes just like (dare I say, even better than) anything you’d get from a coffee shop!

One of our goals when we moved into our new place earlier this month was to give the space some major hygge. If you’re not familiar, “hygge” is a Danish term that implies a cozy lifestyle filled with friends, family, candles, chunky throw blankets, reading on rainy days and drinking hot drinks on snow days.

And while yes, I have accumulated my fair share of throw blankets (perhaps to my husband’s chagrin, who can say), we also love to embrace these chilly winter months by enjoying a warm, indulgent beverage every now and again — like this chocolate hazelnut latte. It’s major hygge in a cup.

spoonful of hazelnut spread next to glass mug

placing hazelnut spread in the glass mug

HOW TO MAKE A CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT LATTE

If you’ve never made a latte in your home before, fear not! It’s incredibly simple — so simple, in fact, it might keep you from going to your favorite coffee shop ever again. I kid, I kid. But honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if you take one sip and realize that this latte recipe is just as good, if not better, than anything you’ll get from the cafe. And you can make it all by yourself in your home.

So here’s how to make it: Stir Nutella into some hot espresso or strong coffee, add a dash of vanilla and a pinch of sea salt to bring out the flavors, then top it off with steamed milk and a layer of frothy milk, if that’s your thing. Add a sprinkle of cocoa powder, and enjoy immediately. Preferably in a hyggekrog.

overhead view of the chocolate hazelnut latte

TIPS FOR THE BEST HOMEMADE LATTE

What I love about this latte recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can add more or less espresso according to your tastes, add an extra dollop of Nutella or tone it down on the milk — it’s all up to you! You are the at-home barista here, after all. A few more tips for maximum latte enjoyment:

1. I love to use my KitchenAid Nespresso machine to make my espresso shots (you can find the link to it in my shop), but you can always use those instant espresso packets from the store, or brew a small pot of extra-strong coffee to get the job done. FYI: 1 shot of espresso = 1 ounce of espresso.

2. I swear by my milk frother for making steamed milk and froth for hot drinks — you just pour the milk into the cup, close the lid, press a button and in a minute or two, the milk is perfectly warm with a delightful top layer of foam you can pour on top of your latte. BUT, if you don’t have one of these at home, you can make homemade frothed milk these ways, and it’s just as easy.

3. As I mentioned before, don’t be afraid to flex your barista muscles here! Play around with the amounts of espresso, Nutella and milk in this recipe, adding more or less of each to your tastes. For me, I love a strong coffee flavor, so my best formula here is 2 ounces espresso + 1 tablespoon Nutella + 6 ounces milk. Extra hygge points if you have a chocolate hazelnut latte with a slice of Nutella babka on the side.

hands holding the chocolate hazelnut latte mug

Friends, I hope that wherever you are, you can bring some hygge into your life. If nothing else, make this cozy latte, find a chunky blanket and take a moment to just enjoy — off your screens, without worry, maybe with someone you love. Hygge or not, we should be doing that kind of thing more often, anyway.

P.S. Nutty for more Nutella? I have Nutella-Swirled Banana Bread, Nutella Babka, Nutella-Swirled Cappuccino Cheesecake Bars and 5-Ingredient Nutella Granola. YOU’RE WELCOME.