Whenever we get coffee from a coffee shop, I always get a Cafe Au Lait. I love the steamed milk in my cup, it’s just so… steamy. And frothy. And foamy. And seemingly impossible to reproduce at home without some giant, loud frothing machine.

During pregnancy, I totally lost my taste for coffee. But thanks to (very lovingly) popping this kid out, my taste for coffee is BACK, yo! And as luck would have it, a number of weeks ago I happened upon this post about making milk foam at home without a fancy schmancy milk steamer, and I couldn’t wait to try it.

These days I’m drinking 1/4 caff coffee. That is, 1 scoop of regular, 3 scoops of decaf for our little 4 cup maker, just to give baby a break on any coffee jitters. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding says to take it easy on caffeine for the first month or so, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Breastfeeding, Being Womanly and Making Art.

“Art” that I call Quarter Caff Coffee with Cheap Make at Home Foam.

While your coffee is brewing, pour about two ounces of cow’s milk into a ball jar, or anything with a tight fitting lid.

(I used 2% organic cow’s milk. I don’t use almond or coconut milk in my coffee, so I’m not sure if this technique would have the same effect on non-dairy milk.)

Then it’s time to shake what your mama gave you.

Shake until your milk has about doubled in volume,

then pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds. Keep a close eye on it, by the end of 30 seconds it might be close to boiling over.

(And be sure to take the metal lid off before you put it into the microwave, because you know… sparks and stuff.)

Then you’re gonna spoon out your froth into your cup of whatever % caffeinated coffee you’re drinking these days,

and pour the rest of your warmed milk into your coffee.

And voila! Easy, frothed lait (milk) for your cafe (coffee) without waking the bebe (baby).

Because perhaps you might enjoy it while your three week old is taking his first of 17 naps of the day?

Or maybe when he’s awake,

but not because he’s jacked up caffeine, thankyouverymuch Quarter-Caff Coffee.

P.S., a big, huge, awesome thanks for all the congrats and comments and emails on the arrival of our new little guy! We’re loving him up and finding our new groove over here!