A few weeks ago while sitting at a signal light, I noticed a sign in front of our local coffee shop advertising a gingerbread latte. I loved the idea, but figured that they probably used a syrup or processed sugar to achieve the flavor. So of course I wondered if I could create a healthy version with ingredients similar to my superfood vanilla latte.
I enlisted the help of my professional taste testers (aka- my kids) and after a little experimentation, we settled on a recipe that has hints of the gingerbread cookies my family used to make as a kid with added nutrients, protein, and healthy fats for a satisfying and delicious drink.
What Makes This Gingerbread Latte Better?
Instead of just coffee, milk, and a gingerbread flavored syrup, this version packs a lot of nutrition with the addition of these beneficial ingredients:
- Collagen: Contains beneficial long-chain amino acids that are great for skin and hair and a good source of protein. The addition of collagen adds protein and creaminess to this recipe without changing the flavor.
- Grass-fed butter: High in CLA, vitamin K2, butyrate and other beneficial substances, grass-fed butter is a nutrient powerhouse that also adds the familiar creaminess to this recipe. This and the collagen add protein and beneficial fats that make this latte satisfying and filling.
- Coconut oil: A superfood with many benefits, coconut oil adds lauric acid and medium-chain triglycerides to this recipe as well as a slight sweetness and depth of flavor. Not a fan of coconut or allergic to it? Use extra butter instead or omit the coconut completely.
- Molasses: One of the healthiest sweeteners available that is relatively low in sugar and high in b-vitamins, magnesium, calcium, copper, and one of the few non-animal sources of iron. Molasses may have benefits for blood health, digestion, menstrual health, and nutrient absorption.
- Coffee or Dandy Blend: Coffee can have benefits on its own, but for those who prefer to avoid the caffeine or just don’t love coffee, Dandy Blend is an excellent substitute in this recipe. It is a gluten-free and sugar-free alternative that is naturally sweet and a great base for the gingerbread taste.
- Raw honey: Another powerhouse natural sweeter with antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is even used as a burn salve by top hospitals for its healing abilities.
- Cinnamon: A delicious spice with a long history of use for immune boosting, infection fighting, and soothing digestive troubles. Cinnamon completes the gingerbread flavor in this recipe and adds an immune boosting punch.
Superfood Gingerbread Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed coffee or Dandy Blend (warm)
- 1 tsp collagen powder (optional)
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1 tsp coconut oil (or extra butter)
- 1 tsp blackstrap molasses
- ½ tsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ inch fresh ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until frothy, about 15 seconds. Do not use a Magic Bullet or closed in blender as the heat can cause it to crack.
Notes
Nutrition
Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!
Ever created your own healthy version of a favorite coffee shop drink?
Mmmmmm. I’m a big tea drinker – I’m sipping on a cup of blueberry/ginger tea right now – but this latte sounds delicious. Anything with molasses and cinnamon has to be good!
Thanks for figuring out this healthy version of a yummy treat.
I’m trying to stay away from grains & caffeine but I noticed the Dandy Blend has 2 grains in it’s ingredients list. Is there some other substitute you would recommend?
Wouldn’t ‘extracts’ of barley and rye still contain gluten? :-/
I would suggest contacting the manufacturer to verify how they are able accomplish that, but it is possible to separate out components of foods while avoiding allergens. This is frequently done with milk.
Perfect recipe! I love gingerbread lattes and now can incorporate molasses into yet another seasonal favorite. Your last post was also perfect timing as I hadn’t purchased any until this year and needed ideas of how to use the syrup. As usual, you are such a greathelp!
Can you make it with espresso and steamed milk or dairy substitute or would it be better to just use a really long espresso shot?
Could you offer a suggestion for how to best substitute the butter for those of us who are allergic to dairy? I have tried Earth Balance and it always seems to have a strange after taste.
Have you tried Kerrygold butter? I think I’ve read where people with dairy sensitivities can usually tolerate that brand…
Use ghee instead. No dairy issues with it
Ghee is clarified butter… So NOT dairy free…
Try cocoa butter in place of butter. It’s delicious and healthful!
Hi! I am trying to find a post either on your blog or facebook you did a little while back. It was a toy on amazon. It was a hard plastic ball with a puzzle/maze inside. I want to purchase one, but now I can’t find it. Can you please help me?? Thank you in advance.
Perplexes Ball. There are many kinds including the new Death Star version!
I think you are looking for the perplexus
Was it a perplexity ball?
Oops..perplexis.
I was attempting to mimic the taste of a familiar commercial latte, so while you are correct, it does taste like the gingerbread lattes you can buy in major coffee shops.
With that in mind, pumpkin spice lattes have no pumpkin…. Would it be any good with ginger? I don’t see how ginger and milk could work together in a warm, toasty beverage.
This sounds so good! Have you made it with Dandy Blend? I’m not a coffee drinker so I wonder how the Dandy Blend tastes. I’ve had some other chicory based drinks but they were bitter.
Hold on… Where is the ginger in this gingerbread latte?
my thoughts exactly! I’d use ground ginger instead of cinnamon
I wondered the same thing! So I read the comments and her reply was that cinnamon gave the flavor of a commercial gingerbread latte. I have made it three times now, first as written, then with ginger, then with 1/4 t of each spice. I think,to me, the combination is most authentic. The ginger only has a bit of bite to it I didn’t enjoy. That’s my two cents! ?