Dutch Bros’ Cookie Butter Latte is a seasonal favorite that returns each fall, featuring a blend of cookie butter flavor, espresso, and creamy milk. This is a homemade interpretation designed to get close to the original, not the brand’s exact recipe.
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What makes Dutch Bros’ Cookie Butter Latte special
The Cookie Butter Latte stands out for its warm, spiced cookie butter sauce (which contains milk, soy, and wheat), paired with espresso, 2% milk, and Dutch Bros’ trademark Soft Top® and a cookie butter drizzle. Its rich, caramelized, cinnamon-forward flavor and creamy finish are what fans look forward to each fall. In this copycat, using real Biscoff or another cookie butter spread, caramel syrup, and a whipped topping recreates the signature taste and richness as closely as possible for a home kitchen. The base ratio of 1 part espresso to 3–4 parts milk helps achieve the right balance of strength and creaminess, while blending techniques ensure a smooth texture even without commercial equipment.
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso
- 6-8 oz 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon cookie butter spread (such as Biscoff) — Buy on Amazon
- 1 tablespoon cookie butter syrup — Buy on Amazon
- 1/2 tablespoon salted caramel syrup — Buy on Amazon
- 2 tablespoons Soft Top® or whipped cream — Buy on Amazon
- pinch ground cinnamon
- for garnish cookie butter drizzle — Buy on Amazon
Tools you’ll need
- Espresso machine or strong coffee maker
- Microwave-safe bowl (for melting cookie butter)
- Milk frother or whisk (for blending and texture)
- Stirring spoon
- Serving glass or insulated mug (16 oz for a medium size)
How to make it
- Melt the cookie butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cookie butter spread with 1 tablespoon of cookie butter syrup. Microwave in 10-second bursts until fully melted and pourable. This prevents gritty texture and ensures smooth blending.
- Brew fresh espresso: Pull 2 shots (about 2 ounces) of espresso. A strong, concentrated brew is essential for the coffee to stand out against the sweet, rich base.
- Combine and dissolve: In a mixing cup, stir the melted cookie butter mixture with the hot espresso and 1/2 tablespoon salted caramel syrup. Stir until everything is fully dissolved. Melting the spread into the hot liquid helps emulsify the fats and prevents separation.
- Add milk: Pour in 6–8 oz of 2% milk—steamed for a hot latte, cold for an iced version. For best results, use a milk frother or vigorously whisk to blend and add some air for creaminess. This step helps suspend the cookie butter particles and ensures a smooth drink.
- Assemble and top: Pour the drink into your glass. For iced, add ice before pouring. Top with 2 tablespoons Soft Top® (if available) or whipped cream. This provides Dutch Bros’ signature creamy finish.
- Garnish: Drizzle with extra cookie butter syrup and a pinch of ground cinnamon for aroma and flavor.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy while the drink is fresh and the cookie butter is fully suspended. Double blending or stirring before serving helps prevent settling.
Ratio tip: Stick to 1 part espresso to 3–4 parts milk for a medium-sized (16 oz) latte. Adjust for personal strength preference.
How close is it to the original?
This version comes close in both flavor and appearance if you use authentic cookie butter spread and a quality caramel syrup. The Dutch Bros Soft Top® is a proprietary topping, so whipped cream is a practical substitute, though the texture will be a bit lighter and less pillowy. Home blenders and frothers can help with smoothness, but some slight settling of cookie butter may still occur—commercial machines suspend it more evenly. Reviewers often say the real latte is “rich, buttery, and reminiscent of caramel and cinnamon,” but note the cookie butter flavor can settle at the bottom if not blended well; this home version addresses that with extra blending and by serving immediately.
Troubleshooting
- Gritty or separated texture: If the cookie butter isn’t fully melted or blended, it can clump or settle. Solution: Warm the cookie butter thoroughly and use a frother or blend twice before serving.
- Bland or muted flavor: Too little syrup or spice can make the drink taste flat. Solution: Stick to the measured amounts, and add a touch more caramel syrup or cinnamon if desired.
- Cookie butter settles quickly: This happens without vigorous mixing. Solution: Stir again before drinking, or use a handheld frother for better suspension.
- Drink too sweet or too strong: The sweetness and coffee strength are adjustable. Solution: Reduce the caramel syrup for less sweetness, or use more milk to mellow the espresso.
Variations
- Non-dairy option: Substitute 2% milk with oat or almond milk for a dairy-free version. Oat milk especially keeps a creamy texture similar to the original.
- Extra spice: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to enhance the fall spice character.
- Make it iced: Use cold milk and serve over ice, blending thoroughly to keep the cookie butter from settling.
Ingredient substitutes
- Cookie butter spread: Biscoff is closest to the flavor Dutch Bros uses. Trader Joe’s Speculoos works well too.
- Cookie butter syrup: If unavailable, melt extra cookie butter spread with a splash of simple syrup to mimic the sauce.
- Soft Top®: Regular whipped cream or frothed half-and-half is the best substitute for the creamy finish.
Storage
This drink is best enjoyed fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 day, but the cookie butter may settle and require re-blending before drinking. Toppings are best added just before serving.
FAQ
- How much sugar does a cookie butter latte have? A medium Cookie Butter Latte from Dutch Bros contains 57g of sugar (source: Dutch Bros nutrition guide).
- What does Dutch Bros. use in their cookie butter latte? The drink combines a spiced cookie butter sauce (with milk, soy, and wheat), espresso, 2% milk, Soft Top®, and cookie butter drizzle.
- Is there a recipe for Dutch Bros cookie butter latte? Dutch Bros does not publish an official recipe, but this homemade version uses similar ingredients to replicate the flavor profile.
- What sauce does Dutch Bros. use for cookie butter? Dutch Bros uses a proprietary spiced cookie butter sauce as the base of the drink.
- What flavor is similar to cookie butter? Cookie butter is reminiscent of caramelized, spiced shortbread or speculoos cookies, with cinnamon and brown sugar notes.
- How much caffeine is in a Dutch Bros latte? A medium Cookie Butter Latte contains about 95 mg of caffeine.
- Is the Cookie Butter Latte still available at Dutch Bros? Yes, it is a seasonal menu item as of August 2026.
Sources
- Dutch Bros official Cookie Butter Latte page
- Dutch Bros fall drinks announcement
- Dutch Bros nutritional guide
For more drinks inspired by coffeehouse favorites, see our other copycat drinks or learn to make a homemade iced caramel macchiato.
Ingredients
2 shots espresso
6-8 oz 2% milk
1 tablespoon cookie butter spread (such as Biscoff)
1 tablespoon cookie butter syrup
1/2 tablespoon salted caramel syrup
2 tablespoons Soft Top® or whipped cream
pinch ground cinnamon
for garnish cookie butter drizzle
Instructions
Warm the cookie butter spread and syrup together until smooth and pourable.
Brew 2 shots of espresso.
In a separate cup, combine the melted cookie butter mixture with the hot espresso and salted caramel syrup. Stir until fully dissolved.
Add 2% milk (steamed for hot, cold for iced) and mix well.
Pour into a serving cup. Top with Soft Top® or whipped cream.
Drizzle with additional cookie butter and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Serve immediately. For iced, add ice before topping.
