Snickerdoodle Tea Latte Recipe

Get all the flavor of a snickerdoodle in a latte!

Is there anything more delicious than a snickerdoodle cookie!? I mean, the combination of sweet sugar and cinnamon with hints of vanilla all in a crumbly cookie are seriously delicious. So delicious, in fact, that we decided to see if we could make a tea latte that tasted just like a snickerdoodle. And, guess what….we did it! Not only is this latte packed with healthy ingredients and minimal sugar, it is so delicious you don’t even need the cookie for dessert!

Healthy Fats & Powders

MCT Oil

We added MCT oil to this latte to give us some extra oomph in the afternoon and boy did we get some serious brain power. After everyone had their latte, the room fell silent and some serious productivity was undertaken. MCT oil, or oil of medium chain triglycerides, is easily digestible, so the body converts the fats into energy fairly quickly giving the metabolism a boost and helping fuel brainpower. Studies have shown that MCT oil can help one lose weight (1). ​Now that’s a great reason to replace the cookie with this latte!  

In addition to helping one lose weight and encouraging a brain boost, research is even looking into whether MCT oil might help decrease risk of cardiovascular disease & Alzheimer’s (2). ​Some folks have also been using MCT oil in patients with GI problems because it is so easily digestible. MCT oil really is a wonderful thing! MCT oil is often used in bulletproof coffee and other butter drinks, so we thought why not add it in here for a healthy boost and to add a little of the buttery richness found in a real snickerdoodle cookie!

Maca Root Powder

We also added Maca Root powder to our concoction because besides increasing stamina and boosting brain power, Maca Root also lends a nutty, warm flavor that really enhances the cookie-like feel of this latte. Maca Root is an ancient Peruvian powder that has been used for centuries to increase virility and stamina. A vegetable cousin of broccoli and cabbage, Maca has been shown in some studies to increase energy (3). Maca also contains flavonoids which have been shown to reduce anxiety. One study of postmenopausal women showed that maca significantly reduced symptoms of depression (4). It is also possible that maca helps reduce blood pressure and balance the hormones so as to ease symptoms of menopause in women (5). Moreover, early animal studies suggest that maca could improve learning and memory! With all these amazing benefits and it’s nutty, earthy flavor, we just had to include maca in our Snickerdoodle Latte! It should be noted, however, that folks with thyroid issues should talk to their doctor before consuming maca because of its possible effects on hormone balance. 

Cinnamon

Everyone knows cinnamon is a popular spice and commonly used, especially in fall and winter treats! Did you also know that cinnamon contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde that has been shown to provide a ton of health benefits? Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants that help fight damage from free radicals and is so powerful it can even be used as a preservative. Cinnamon also has major anti-inflammatory abilities that studies have shown can help the body lower its risk of disease (6). Cinnamon has also been proven to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and improve levels of good cholesterol while decreasing levels of bad cholesterol (7). In addition to helping cholesterol, multiple studies have shown that cinnamon can reduce blood sugar levels for an anti-diabetic effect (8). ​Now if that’s not what you want from something mimicking a cookie, we just don’t know what to say! We could go on and on about all of the amazing health benefits of cinnamon, but we will leave it at that and get on with the recipe, because we’re already craving another one! 

Tea in a latte?! 

We used roasted yerba mate in this latte because we really wanted to achieve that warming cookie taste and coffee would be too overpowering. Yerba Mate steeps into an amazing tea that is loaded with antioxidants yet also contains a significant amount of caffeine, so it can really help you get going! We love making lattes with tea, because sometimes coffee is just too acidic or has too much caffeine. Moreover, the variety of teas out there means that you can really explore different flavors and effects when making tea lattes!
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For our snickerdoodle latte, we chose a roasted mate because it adds a warmth and nuttiness that you don’t get from unroasted mate. It also lends a darker brown color, really enhancing the visual effect of the latte. Let us know in the comments if you try this with a different type of tea and how it turns out!

​Snickerdoodle Latte Recipe

Ingredients

Makes one 8 ounce serving

• 1 tsp roasted mate
  
• 6 oz hot water
  
• 2 oz frothed milk
  
• 1 tsp maca root powder
  
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 tsp MCT oil
  
• ½ tsp agave nectar (or sweetener of choice)
  
  

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil and steep roasted mate for 8-10 minutes.
   
2. While the tea is steeping, mix maca root powder and cinnamon in a wide-bottomed glass or bowl.
   
3. Slowly add the MCT oil, vanilla extract and agave, and whisk together to form a paste. (We like to use a matcha whisk here, but a fork would work just fine).
   
4. Once tea is steeped, slowly pour tea over the paste, mixing constantly so all the goodness in the paste is distributed in the liquid.
   
5. Once all of your tea is mixed, top with frothed milk, sprinkle with cinnamon
   
6. Enjoy!