Quick Holiday Spice (aka Gingerbread) Latte

Some coffee bars call this drink Holiday Spice Flat White.  Others call it Gingerbread Latte.  I call both of these coffee-flavored sugar.   Here's the secret for an immensely better flavored, more healthier version that takes less time to make than to read this article.

Did you know that molasses contains calcium, iron and Vitamins A and B6? Not to mention a healthy dose of magnesium.  Stirred into your morning healthy dose of coffee and topped with milk, you get a nice boost of health along with your caffeine to start your day. 

Quick Holiday Spice (aka Gingerbread) Latte
Yield: 1 serving

1 tsp. instant espresso (or 2 tsp. instant coffee) granules
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
pinch ground cloves
1 tsp. brown sugar
1/ tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. regular (NOT blackstrap) molasses
1 cup  milk (low-fat preferred), divided
Spritz of whipped cream and additional cinnamon (optional)

Whisk together the espresso (or coffee) granules with the cinnamon, ginger, cloves and sugar in a large mug.  Whisk in vanilla, molasses and 1/4 cup of the milk until the sugar is mostly dissolved.  Set aside.

In a 2-cup heat-safe measuring cup, add the remaining milk.   Heat in the microwave at 100% power for  2 to 3 minutes, or just until the milk is frothy and steaming.

Carefully whisk in about half of the steaming milk into the mug, then top with remaining milk.  Spritz with a little whipped cream and top with a shake of cinnamon, if desired.

Sorry about the lack of whip.  Had to sample first ...
to make sure it was good, of course.

Serve immediately.