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French Vanilla Creamer
Are you a fan of French vanilla creamer? If so, this guide to all things French vanilla creamer is essential.
Published March 31, 2022
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Jennie Backteman
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
For many coffee drinkers, the need to add creamer is real. Black coffee can be quite strong and even bitter tasting to some, and creamer is the perfect way to cut through it and make it tastier. If you’re the type who also needs to drink your coffee in a hurry as you rush out the door in the morning, creamer will cool it down so it’s easier to gulp. But did you know that you can make homemade coffee creamer that tastes just as good as store-bought? Your homemade creamer may be better thanks to the fact you can "spice it up" in various ways.
Here we'll take a look at how to make coffee creamer at home, there are various ways to go about it. As well as how to make creamer, we'll also look at various flavors you can add with French vanilla typically being the fan-favorite, how to store your homemade creamer, how long homemade creamer lasts, how to dress up your coffee with more than just homemade creamer, and other tips regarding French vanilla creamer.
So let's get right to it and look at how to make good coffee creamer.
Why Make Coffee Creamer?
We all know it’s very easy to purchase coffee creamer at the supermarket whether you like plain cream or flavored. That begs the question of why you even need a liquid creamer recipe? Why make it at home at all?
Just like with any other food or beverage, when you make items at home you have total control over the ingredients. This allows you to adapt the recipe to your tastes and any dietary restrictions you may have. It’s also very rewarding when you can make items from scratch, and it’s a great way to impress guests when they pop in for a coffee. With some practice and a little tweaking, you'll be able to create the best homemade coffee creamer you've ever tasted.
The Most Popular Plain Coffee Creamer Recipe
If you like the idea of plain coffee cream, meaning no added flavors or sweetness then a homemade creamer with just milk is likely ideal. Homemade creamer with milk can be seen as the starting point in your creamer adventure. It will act as a base that you can add other ingredients to and get creative with. But sometimes you’re craving just a basic creamer, so this fills that craving.
Here is a simple and basic recipe to start with, keep in mind this won’t impart much in terms of flavor rather just a creaminess factor to the coffee.
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream (you can use any type including cashew or coconut cream)
3 cups milk (you can use any type including hemp, skim, cashew, or almond milk)
Steps
Mix the two ingredients in an airtight storage container with a secure lid, and give it a shake.
As you can see this is a basic recipe that takes mere minutes to put together. There is nothing unique or interesting in terms of flavor, but that is what some people prefer for their coffee. This is the best and easiest way to make homemade coffee creamer, no condensed milk added.
How to Make Sweet Creamer for Coffee at Home
It’s important to point out that just because you are making coffee creamer at home, specifically homemade creamer flavors like French vanilla – it doesn’t mean they are sweet. Adding a flavor is different from adding sweetness, as not everyone appreciates sweetness in their coffee. By using a homemade coffee creamer recipe with condensed milk, this is how you can create that sweetness.
Condensed milk on its own is quite thick and very sweet, as it is often used in dessert recipes. When using it in homemade coffee creamer, it will impart the sweetness you're after. To make coffee creamer at home with condensed milk, here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 3/4 cup skim milk
Steps
Just mix the two ingredients in a jar/can that has an airtight seal and give it a good shake.
You may wish to give the coffee creamer a good shake before you use it each time just to be sure the ingredients haven’t separated. This is why the storage container must have an airtight seal so it can handle the shaking.
How to Make Homemade French Vanilla Creamer – Flavor Makes the Difference
Now we’ll take it one step further and address the real important recipe in this guide which is how to make a fabulous French vanilla creamer at home. French vanilla is one of the most popular coffee creamers out there. It is relatively simple in flavor, it pairs well with plain and flavored coffees and isn’t overwhelming to the palette. If you are going to start with any flavored coffee creamer at home, this is the one to go for.
You've got two ways to go about this recipe. You can learn how to make French vanilla coffee creamer without condensed milk or with condensed milk for a much sweeter flavor profile. You may want to try both so you can decide which you prefer.
No matter which you choose – with or without condensed milk – simply follow one of the two recipes listed above and then add the vanilla flavoring. The flavoring can come in the form of vanilla extract – be sure to use a high-quality pure one – or fresh vanilla bean for a truer flavor. Learning how to make vanilla creamer without condensed milk, or with is very quick and easy.
What Other Flavors Can You Add?
Once you master homemade French vanilla coffee creamer why not try some other add-ins that will change the taste. Instead of vanilla, you can use almond extra, coconut extract, chocolate extract, hazelnut extract, maple extract, or peppermint extract just to name a few. Think about what flavors appeal to you the most and don’t be afraid to make your combinations. Vanilla can often play well with other flavors, so it could be your starting point.
As well as flavors, you can also add toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate shavings, ground cinnamon, and anything else that seems tasty. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the menu in your favorite coffee shop and get an idea of what pairs well together.
How to Best Store Your Homemade Coffee Creamer?
This leads to the next important piece of information, how to best store your homemade coffee creamer? It doesn't matter if you've made plain coffee cream with milk, homemade coffee creamer without condensed milk, or even the flavored variety of homemade creamer with Torani. The way you store the creamer will determine how fresh it remains, how long you can use it, and the taste.
A glass coffee creamer container that has a lid and a seal is a fabulous way to store it. It needs to be placed in the fridge and can last for up to 7-10 days, provided it has a tight seal. Some containers have labels that you can write on with chalk so that you can make note of the date. This is a great way to keep track of how long it’s been in the fridge.
If you find the creamer is going bad before you can use it all up, try making a smaller batch. On the flip side, if you use it up way before the expiration date, try making a larger batch. There will be some trial and error in the process.
Go Ahead and Use Your Creamer in Iced Coffee
It’s also worth noting that the same homemade coffee creamer you have made for your hot beverages can be used in an iced coffee. This is a great opportunity to give your iced coffee some flavor and personality, as French vanilla creamer will make it a lot more exciting. Because your creamer is stored in the fridge, you don’t have to worry about it warming up the iced beverage.
For those who make a lot of iced coffees, you may want to pour some of your homemade cream into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Instead of regular ice cubes, use your creamer cubes. This will ensure that the iced coffee doesn’t get too watered down and lack flavor. It will also impart even more of that tasty vanilla flavor.
You can make iced coffee by the cup or brew a large pot of black coffee using your coffee machine and then store it in an airtight sealable jug or container in the fridge. Just pour out what you want, add the creamer and you’re good to go. Known as "cold brew", the plain black coffee can last up to two weeks in the fridge.
You’re an Expert in Homemade French Vanilla Creamer
Whether you want to learn how to make coffee creamer without condensed milk, or how to make coffee creamer without milk (the standard type), what flavors you can add other than French vanilla, and how to store your creation, this guide covers it all. Soon you'll be able to call yourself an at-home barista capable of all kinds of tasty concoctions.
About the author
Jennie Backteman
I´m a ultramarathon runner, landscape designer and a coffee lover.
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