Go Back
A cup of cappuccino on a saucer with milk being poured into it.
Print Recipe
4.60 / 5 votes

Homemade Cappuccino

How to make cappuccino at home using an espresso machine to get perfect foam and just the right ratio of milk to espresso is easy. Here's the perfect guide and technique.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 38

Ingredients

  • 1 rounded tablespoon finely ground coffee, preferably an espresso blend
  • 1/4 cup cold milk, (whole, 2%, or nonfat)
  • 1 pinch cocoa powder or ground cinnamon, , optional
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Warm the espresso machine. Put the coffee in the filter basket of the portafilter, gently but firmly tamp it down with a tamper, and secure the portafilter in the brew head. Place a 5- or 6-ounce (148- or 177-ml) cup directly under the brew head.
  • Brew just long enough to yield 1 to 1 1/2 ounces (30 to 44 ml) of espresso. Turn your machine off just as it finishes pouring the last of the pale-colored crema and before the espresso becomes watery, which you'll learn with practice. The exact time will depend on your machine.

    ☞ TESTER TIP: If your grind is too coarse, the water will flow through too quickly. If it's too fine, the water can’t seem to get through. You'll get the hang of this with time.

  • Much will depend on your particular machine. Turn on the steamer and let it warm up. Meanwhile, pour the milk into a stainless steel pitcher. Submerge the tip of the steam wand at least half an inch below the milk surface and turn on the steam switch. As the foam rises, gradually lower the pitcher so the tip of the wand remains just below the milk surface. As the milk begins to heat up, tilt the pitcher slightly to swirl the milk and continue to steam until the side of the pitcher becomes almost too hot to hold. Turn off the steam while still holding the tip of the wand under the milk surface.
  • Very slowly pour the milk into the cappuccino in one of two ways:
    For a smooth cappuccino in which both the warmed and foamed milk on top is evenly integrated throughout the beverage, gently pour the milk over the espresso in a thin, steady stream.
    For a cappuccino with a foamy head, hold back the foam with a spoon and gently pour the milk over the espresso. Spoon the foam over the top.
  • Sprinkle with cocoa powder or cinnamon, if desired. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cappuccino | Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g