This recipe has it all. It’s comfort food, it’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s bright, it’s smooth, and it’s caffeinated. Medjool dates are incredibly rich and moist, and they provide all the sweetness this latte recipe needs. The cinnamon is cozy, the citrus oils are bright, the cayenne provides a bit of heat, the almond butter is soothing and satisfying, and the vanilla offers a final kiss to bring it all home. If you’re living through a pandemic, and let’s be honest here — who isn’t? — then this latte is exactly what the doctor is ordering.

1.5 cups oat milk
2 Medjool dates (pitted, torn in half lengthwise)
2 Tbsp. almond butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pinch of cayenne pepper
1 large strip of orange peel, approx 1×3 inches
1/2 cup strong hot coffee

Mix together all ingredients except coffee in a small saucepan. Heat until the oat milk mixture begins barely to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to blend flavors and extract all the goodness from the orange peel.

Pour contents of saucepan into an upright blender. Replace blender cover, but remove the small cap in the cover, and instead cover the small hole with a dish towel to allow heat to escape. Blend on high speed for 1 minute until smooth and frothy.

Divide coffee between two mugs, and slowly pour equal amounts of the oat milk mixture into the two mugs. Get fancy with a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder if you like, and serve immediately.

Other milks you could try with this recipe include coconut, cashew, soy, or macadamia. If you aren’t a coffee drinker, try it with black tea or Earl Grey.

Thank you to @rainbowplantlife for this recipe and also for your joyful enthusiasm.