First thing's first: What's milk froth? Milk froth is the white foam on top of cappuccinos, macchiatos, mochas and lattes. It's milk that has been mixed until fluffy. We use it to make a solid base for coffee art.
What you’ll need to stencil on coffee:
Mug
Coffee
Frothable milk or milk alternative to create base for the stencil design (this guide highlights types of milks that are frothable)
Milk or milk alternative for mixing with coffee, doesn't need to froth (optional)
Frothing device (milk frother, handheld milk frother, French press, whisk and bowl)
Spoon
Spice of choice (cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice are our faves)
Sifting device (flour sifter, spice sifter, any sort of mesh strainer)
Whipped cream (optional)
1. Pour in coffee
Pour the coffee and desired amount of milk into the mug, leaving about 1" of space at the top.
2. Froth milk to create foam
The method for frothing depends on what type of tool you have at home. A milk frother is the easiest and fastest way to create foam, but it isn't a very common kitchen appliance. If you have one, great! If you don't, the most easiest method is to use whipped cream.
Milk frother: Pour 2-3 tablespoons of milk into the milk frother. Froth for around 15-20 seconds until semi-stiff (will not be liquidy but will also not form peaks easily).
Handheld milk frother: Heat the milk until hot. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of milk into a cup or bowl and whisk with the frother on until large bubbles start foaming. Tap the bowl on a flat surface to remove large air bubbles.
French press: Heat the milk until hot. Pour into the press and plunge up and down for around 30 seconds. Pour into a pitcher or cup and tap on a flat surface to remove the bubbles.
No milk frother: Heat the milk until hot. Pour into a bowl and whisk vigorously until foamy bubbles form. Tap the bowl onto the counter to remove large bubbles.
Whipped cream: You can use either store-bought whipped cream or make your own. Homemade whipped cream will provide a smoother texture.
3. Top with foam
Make sure the coffee is completely still and not swirling from being mixed. Slowly pour milk foam on top of the liquid. There may be some non-frothed milk that pours in first, but that's normal. Pour the froth as evenly as possible over the top of the cup, but don't fill the mug past the rim. If any part of the froth is above the rim, it'll stick to the stencil and impede the final design.
If needed, use the back of a spoon to smooth out the top of the milk foam. A flat surface is ideal for using coffee stencils.
If using whipped cream, scoop or spray it over the top of the coffee and use the back of a clean spoon to smooth it out.
4. Place the stencil and sprinkle powder
Sift the powder topping you want to place over the stencil. Sifting allows for the powder to be evenly distributed. Any coarse bits will be separated so you only get the finest powder, resulting in the best stencil outcome.
We used one of these shakers, but you can also use something like a mesh strainer (for tea or otherwise) to tap powder over the top of the stencil.
Rest your stencil on top of the rim of the mug and center the design. If using a shaker, raise it 6 or so inches above the mug and gently and slowly shake out your powder. If using a strainer, place your spice into the strainer and gently tap it against your hand 6 inches above the mug. Cover the design with powder. The best way to check if you have used enough is to look down at the stencil from directly above. If you don't see any white, you have covered the area.
5. Remove the stencil and enjoy delicious coffee
Easily the best part of this project (apart from drinking fresh coffee) is removing the stencil to reveal the art you've created. Take some pictures, and enjoy the extra effort put into making a creative, cozy drink and sip away!
Check out our range of coffee stencils to find the right one for you, or design your own custom coffee stencil.
Feelin’ a little extra spicy? Try out our Irish coffee recipe to add a real kick to your morning routine.