It’s no secret that once upon a time I worked for Starbucks – I’ve talked about it on here a few times, probably all in relation to my crazy obsession with coffee. SPEAKING OF WHICH, any suggestions on a new coffee maker? Ours is several years old and while it does still actually make coffee it just feels like a good time to look into getting a new machine. I love the idea of a Keurig, but let’s be honest: the cost of the machine + the cost of the cups isn’t really budget-friendly. Unless you know of how I can get one of those bad boys for free.
Ahem.
Anyway.
When I worked at Starbucks I would say that by FAR the most popular drink we sold was the White Chocolate Mocha. While I wasn’t the biggest fan you have to admit that when you’re looking for a good sweet coffee drink, this is the way to go. I never got the obsession with it, but now that I’ve learned how to make it at home? Um, I kind of want one every.single.day.
Honestly it’s dangerously easy to make this thing at home, unless you decide to be like me and make your own whipped cream using a whisk. Y’all, I don’t know why, but one day I just FELT LIKE acting like I didn’t live in the 21st century and grabbed some heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a big fat whisk. Wes watched me as I cursed under my breath (not my proudest moment) about how STUPIDSTUPIDSTUPID I was to even attempt whipping cream when I have both a fabulous stand mixer + whisk attachment AND a hand mixer at my disposal at all times.
All I can say is I’m glad the dogs were distracting him too.
But then? Then I had a big bowl of fluffy, light, and totally addictive whipped cream. It was almost enough to make me want to mix bread and pasta by hand or maybe even wash my clothes on a washboard!
PFFFFFFFFFFFFT. 😉
So here’s the deal: you can have a white chocolate mocha really any time you want if you have 4 things – coffee, whipped cream, milk, and white chocolate chips. I topped mine with a dusting of cocoa powder because in addition to feeling old-fashioned I also felt a little fancy. But just a little 😉
HOMEMADE WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA
For the white mocha syrup and latte/drink
- 6 cups prepared strong-brewed coffee (if you have access to an espresso machine that’s even better! You’ll want 1 shot for every 8 ounces)
- 2 cups milk of choice, although I STRONGLY recommend almond milk (Silk Pure Almond Vanilla Unsweetened is the kind I used). It’s creamy and rich and slightly sweet!
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- prepared whipped cream (optional, and recipe below)
Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles start to form around the edges of the milk. Remove from the heat and whisk in the white chocolate chips until smooth; this makes the syrup. To make the quick version of the drink add 1/2 cup of the syrup to 12 ounces of coffee (makes 16 ounces or a “Grande” in Starbucks-land) and top with whipped cream. To make the latte version, pour 1/2 cup of the syrup and 12 ounces of the coffee into a blender and CAREFULLY blend on medium/high until frothy, about 1 minute. Pour into a big mug and top with whipped cream!
For the whipped cream:
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
I highly recommend the stand/hand mixer for this. Pour the whipping cream and powdered sugar into a large bowl and whisk on high until doubled in volume and nice and fluffy. Pour in the vanilla extract and whip until blended!
Christy says
So…. Do I store the unused syrup in the fridge for a week or is it best to use it all at once?
Heather says
I would store it in the fridge, just make sure you take it out to take the chill off before using it.
Mousumi Banerjee says
I would like to link the post for making a round-up post for my blog. Plz guide me the proper way of doing it as I don’t wish to break copyright laws.
nick says
So I was looking up recipes for white chocolate mochas and came across ups but I’m a guy and you kinda have to spell things out for me, seeing as I could burn water, so I wanna make a large white mocha and so I just need to do like a full cup of white chocolate chips and milk and add it to a large coffee?
Heather says
Hey Nick! This recipe makes about 2-3 (depending on how you choose to add coffee) servings, but yes – essentially all you need is the white chocolate chips, milk and coffee!
Lissa Brooks says
It helps to have a high fat whipping cream. We buy ours from Costco and it’s 40% fat. It takes literally less than a minute of hand-whipping to make thick whipped cream and we do it all the time. Not worth using the stand mixer for it, really.
Heather says
Great tip Lissa! Thank you!
Zach says
You can also use the steamer on your espresso machine (if you have one) to heat the milk, add the chocolate to the milk before you start and stir it well when you get to 115f, bring the milk the rest of the way to 150f and add to your espresso. (Great way to make a single serving, experiment with amount of chocolate to taste)
And white chocolate syrup doesn’t keep well (separates in fridge)
Heather says
Great tips! Thanks Zach!
Alyssa says
can i use french roast tullys coffee for the keurig?
Heather says
Hey Alyssa! I don’t see why not – if it’s a coffee you have on hand and enjoy I’m sure it’ll be perfect!
Nicola says
This looks absolutely gorgeous Heather. I’m just wondering, though, how many servings this would make?
Heather says
Thanks Nicola! I estimated that it would make about 4 servings 🙂
marla says
Such a lovely drink Heather!! Would love this for apres ski 🙂
Heather says
Ooooh, me too 🙂
Carol Harrison says
Hi Heather – just want you to know I miss the updates on Weston. Hope all is going well.
Heather says
Hey Carol! I’ve kind of died down on the updates to help protect his privacy a little, but I’m going to be doing a big 9 month update tomorrow!
Julie says
Personally I’m a fan of the electric kettle and French Press method. Old school 😉
Heather says
I’ve always wanted to try the electric kettle but I can’t bring myself to buy one since I don’t know if I’ll like it or not. French press though – SO yummy!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I want that right now, and I’ve never been a big fan of them either. It just looks heavenly!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I can’t believe how often I used to buy these – and consume more than 300 calories in one sitting! 🙂 Your whipped cream looks amazing and totally worth the effort.
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life says
I’ve also had that crazy thought before about whisking my own whipped cream. It really was not my smartest moment. I thought my arm was going to fall off! 🙂
This looks just delicious!
Heather says
I felt SO accomplished after – although not enough to do it again 😉
Carol B says
Buy the Keurig and the special K-Cup that allows you to use your own coffee. You can use the K-Cup Flavors when you are in need of a little something special for yourself. Works great in our house.
Heather says
I didn’t realize you could do that! Good to know!
Patricia says
This made me laugh (and drool) – and on a morning when my coffee is AWFUL for some reason?!
Thanks!