Without a doubt, the best cappuccino I’ve ever enjoyed was at a lovely, local Italian restaurant called Villa Verone. The drink was creamy and smooth with a strong taste of coffee, but not bitter. Perfection in a cup! The next day left me craving more so I concocted my own frothy mixture. A few years ago I got rid of my espresso/cappuccino machine because it required too much space and wasn’t used often enough … so I quickly figured how to make cappuccino without a machine.
Granted, this simple homemade version of cappuccino isn’t as decadent as one made with fancy gadgetry, but it hits the spot when you need a shot of caffeine and don’t feel like putting on your makeup to take a trip to Starbucks.
Start your cappuccino with Arabica beans, which are less bitter than Robust beans.
It’s best to use whole beans and grind them fresh just before using. Coffee grinders don’t cost a lot of money and it only takes a few seconds to grind the beans … well worth the freshness!
Since cappuccino is made with espresso, I ground more coffee than I typically use for a regular cup of coffee. About 2 heaping tablespoons of ground coffee per cup of water, and brew with your coffee maker.
While your coffee is brewing, heat your milk over a low flame to about 160 degrees. If you don’t want to use a thermometer, simply remove the milk from heat before it boils. Non-fat milk provides the most froth, but 2% milk provides a bit richer flavor. I used 2% milk.
Using an immersion blender, whip the milk for a minute or two until it’s nice and frothy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, place your heated milk in a lidded jar and shake vigorously until you have quite a bit of foam. Make sure you use a large enough jar that leaves room for creating the foam.
Fill your coffee mugs a little less than halfway with the freshly brewed coffee.
Slowly pour the heated, frothed milk into the coffee. A cappuccino should be equal parts coffee and foam, with about half the amount of milk. If necessary, use a spoon to make sure the foam empties into the cup.
Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg onto the frothed milk. And that’s how to make cappuccino without a machine.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between cappuccino, cafe latte, and other coffee options, here’s a handy chart I found at Coffee Wikia …
Source: Coffee Wikia
I hope you enjoy my instructions on how to make cappuccino without a machine. You can always add flavored syrup or sugar to your coffee for a sweeter taste before adding the milk and foam.
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Sharing this post at Metamorphosis Monday
That’s great to know. I’ll have to try it. And that chart is very helpful in understanding the differences. Thanks.
Only 7 years late to party but this chart and your description were on the nose!
I am a coffee fiend, so your cappuccino looks so good! Thanks for sharing these instructions and the variations. Those macaroons look wonderful, too. My husband is not a coffee drinker, but he loves chocolate. I am pinning the coffee and the macaroons, as well. Hope your new year is the best!
Thank You! This I can do! I love these but hate paying the price, so this is going in my recipe box!
Wow, I can do that! I am pinning this for sure! Thanks Jennifer, what a lovely idea~
xokelly
That looks delicious Jennifer! Can you believe this Italian girl has never had a cappuccino!
xx
Anne
I’m all about the cafe mocha!
WOW! I am pinning this. Like you I got rid of the expresso machine as it took up too much space plus I am the only who love it.
This is perfect, thanks for sharing, Ginger
that looks wonderful! must try.
Marie @ In Our Happy Place
Did you know you can put the hot milk in a french press coffee maker and plunge it a few times and it froths the milk easily? It’s my bulk method of frothing. For a single cup I got a mini frother at ikea for about $3.00 that works great.
This sounds delicious, Jennifer! I have a complete aversion to Starbucks and their ridiculous prices, so I always do regular and specialty coffees at home. I really like the little chart, though, so I won’t always just make it up as I go along!
This drink is actually called a cafe au lait (coffee with milk). It’s still a great drink, but it won’t taste the same as a traditional cappuccino.
I dont care what you call it, it sounds delicious, and easy.! Thank you
I’m so very oblidged to go through this amazing steps. Its worth trying it out. Thanks
Thank you. this was very useful information. I thought i would have to purchase a nespresso machine for this lol