Gone are the days when coffee creamer meant a splash of milk or heavy cream. Today's coffee lover faces a dazzling array of options; a coffee creamer recipe can be anything from flavored heavy cream to macadamia-coconut blends.
Gone are the days when coffee creamer meant a splash of milk or heavy cream. Today’s coffee lover faces a dazzling array of options; a coffee creamer recipe can be anything from flavored heavy cream to macadamia-coconut blends.
But what else goes into coffee creamers? And how do they influence the flavor profile of your daily cup?
Let’s dive deeper into these delicious coffee additives. I hope these recipes will inspire you to elevate your daily coffee ritual by making your own creamer at home.
Table of Contents
- OverviewHow Is It Made?
- How to MakeHow Long Does It Last?
- 10 Homemade RecipesVanilla Coffee CreamerPumpkin Spice Coffee CreamerCaramel Coffee CreamerIrish Cream Coffee CreamerCoconut Coffee CreamerHazelnut Coffee CreamerAmaretto Coffee CreamerPeppermint Coffee CreamerAlmond Coffee CreamerKahlua Coffee Creamer
- Special Diet Recipes
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
Overview: What Is Coffee Creamer?
So what are coffee creamers? Well, traditional creamers are simple dairy products – whole milk, cream or half-and-half.
But these days, coffee creamers can be much, much more. Many aren’t even dairy at all! They contain stuff like vegetable oils, non-dairy milks and sugar, and come loaded with delicious natural and artificial flavors.
Bottom line? Coffee creamers are anything that enhances your coffee making it go from “I-might-need-therapy-after-this” strong to “Ah-that’s-the-stuff” perfect. And they cater to everyone, too, from dairy devotees to plant-based diehards.
How Is Coffee Creamer Made?
Let’s peek more into the world of how coffee creamers are made to understand what they are. Traditional dairy creamers contain only one ingredient – homogenized and pasteurized cream or milk.
Non-dairy creamers are quite the opposite. They have bases of water or vegetable oil and corn syrup, mixed with sodium caseinate, emulsifiers, stabilizers and flavorings.
Plant-based creamers are the third category. These have a base made from almonds, oats, soy or coconut. Added thickeners, fats, vitamins, sweeteners and flavorings finish off these creamers.
Lastly, you have flavored creamers. These start with a dairy or non-dairy base, mixed with sweeteners, colors, preservatives and flavorings.
I’m not against commercial creamers, per se. They sure are convenient, especially on a rushed morning. But the amount of artificial ingredients worries me. So, I’ve come up with some delicious natural coffee creamer recipes for you below.
Coffeeness Signature Espresso Blend
High-quality beans through direct trade
Notes of Chocolate & Hazelnut
Easy on the stomach
Freshly roasted right in Brooklyn
Medium roast
How to Make Coffee Creamer at Home
It’s remarkably easy to make coffee creamers at home. Here’s my simple coffee creamer recipe – no preservatives and no mysterious ingredients! Warning: It ain’t low fat, but it’s absolutely delicious!
You’ll need:
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream (use half-and-half for a lighter version)
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
Pinch of sea salt
Medium saucepan
Whisk
Fine-mesh strainer
Cheesecloth
Glass jar with lid
Funnel (optional but helpful)
Pour milk and cream into a small saucepan, and add maple syrup and salt.
Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally. DO NOT let this mixture boil. The aim is to get it warm enough to blend the flavors (not more than 5 minutes).
Remove the mixture from heat and cool for 15 minutes.
Then, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined fine-mesh strainer over a funnel into a clean glass jar. Seal and refrigerate. Your creamer should stay fresh for up to a week.
That’s it – you’ve made an all-natural coffee creamer recipe at home! Use it like you would a store-bought creamer. Oh, and give it a good shake before each use, as natural separation is very likely.
How Long Does Coffee Creamer Last?
As mentioned, a natural homemade coffee creamer will last in the fridge for up to 7 days. Store-bought creamers do better. Once opened, they can last for 14-21 days.
Always store coffee creamers at the back of your fridge, where temperatures are more controlled, at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).
I also recommend keeping them in their original containers or airtight glass jars. Wipe the rim and cap after each use and never return unused creamer to the container. Also, don’t leave your coffee creamer sitting out for more than 30 minutes.
If you spot a bloated container, curdling, a sour smell or mold, it’s time to say goodbye! These are sure-fire signs that your creamer’s gone bad. Needless to say, you should discard it at this point.
10 Homemade Coffee Creamer Recipes
As promised, here are more homemade coffee creamer recipes. These cut out the nasties (using only real ingredients and no preservatives) while retaining all the flavor. Each recipe yields 3-4 cups.
I recommend doing the following when making these recipes at home:
After gentle heating, combine the ingredients in a blender for a smoother consistency
Strain through a cheesecloth-lined, fine-mesh sieve if using whole spices, nuts or purees
Opt for sugar-free condensed milk for sugar-free recipes
Sub coconut cream for heavy cream in dairy-free recipes
A pinch of salt amps up the flavor
Vanilla Coffee Creamer Recipe
This is the most basic homemade coffee creamer recipe you can make. Still, it’s absolutely delicious and appeals to coffee purists. To make it, combine:
2 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 whole vanilla beans (or 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract)
Real vanilla beans provide an authentic, rich flavor that store-bought versions can’t match. The taste is sweet and the texture creamy. Plus, its genuine warmth enhances any coffee variety.
Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer Recipe
Pumpkin spice isn’t just a favorite for fall coffee drinks. This popular flavor has also made its way to coffee creamers. To make this recipe, you’ll need:
2 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons pumpkin puree (puree, not pie filling)
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Real pumpkin puree delivers an authentic fall flavor and slight thickness, while amping up the flavor. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove complement the natural pumpkin.
Caramel Coffee Creamer Recipe
Caramel and coffee are a marriage made in coffee heaven. To make this divine creamer recipe, you’ll need:
2 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup homemade caramel sauce (made from sugar, butter and cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Homemade caramel sauce creates a deep, complex sweetness with subtle butter notes. Even better, the caramel flavor develops as it sits.
Irish Cream Coffee Creamer Recipe
Ever had Irish coffee? Well, here’s a way to incorporate the delicious flavors of this boozy coffee into your daily ritual. To make this recipe at home, use:
2 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
2 teaspoons high-quality instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
This alcohol-free recipe captures the essence of Irish cream liqueur. It highlights the combination of coffee, chocolate, vanilla and almond flavors. It also tastes smooth and creamy, mimicking the famous liqueur.
Coconut Coffee Creamer Recipe
Go full Asian style with this coconut coffee creamer recipe. To make this plant-based coffee additive, you’ll need:
14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
1 cup light coconut milk
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon coconut extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Two types of coconut milk create the perfect balance of richness and pourability. Furthermore, the natural sweetness from the maple syrup complements the coconut. Use it to enhance a Vietnamese iced coffee or other Asian-inspired caffeine creation.
Hazelnut Coffee Creamer Recipe
This creamer is a firm favorite among coffee lovers worldwide. To make it, use:
2 cups of heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons hazelnut extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons toasted crushed hazelnuts (strain out before storing)
The combination of hazelnut and vanilla extracts creates a classic nutty sweetness. Although optional, steeping this creamer with real toasted hazelnuts adds authentic depth. It pairs beautifully with medium-to-dark-roast coffees.
Amaretto Coffee Creamer Recipe
Lovers of Italian coffee culture will absolutely adore this one! It contains:
2 cups of heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
This alcohol-free version captures the distinctive almond-forward flavor of Amaretto. Vanilla and cinnamon add sweetness, warmth and spice, making it taste remarkably like the real thing. Perfect for any coffee made with your favorite home espresso machine!
Peppermint Coffee Creamer Recipe
Feeling in a festive mood? Here’s a coffee creamer recipe for the best Christmas coffee drinks. It’s delightfully zingy and flavorful and will enhance your festive coffee no end:
2 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pure peppermint extract delivers a clean, crisp peppermint flavor without toothpaste-like undertones. The taste is refreshing and smooth. Perfect for holiday beverages or year-round enjoyment.
Almond Coffee Creamer Recipe
Almonds add a nutty, creamy flavor to coffee, kicking things up a notch. To make it, gather:
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For a lighter version, use almond milk only and intensify it with real almond extract. The maple syrup provides a natural sweetness that complements the nutty flavor. It tastes lighter than traditional creamers but still maintains a satisfying richness.
Kahlua Coffee Creamer Recipe
Kahlua, being a coffee liqueur itself, makes an excellent flavor addition to coffee creamer. To make this alcohol-free version, use:
2 cups heavy cream/half-and-half
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
This recipe replicates Kahlua’s complex flavor profile. The taste is rich and mocha-like with a hint of spice, making it perfect for both hot and iced coffee drinks.
Special Diet Coffee Creamer Recipes
Not everyone can tolerate full-fat, sugar-filled coffee creamers. To cater to them, there are several special diet coffee creamer recipes. These deliver the same full-on flavor without the dietary risks.
First, keto coffee creamers. These use high-fat, low-carb ingredients, helping users stay in ketosis as they enjoy creations like bulletproof coffee. My favorite keto coffee creamer recipe uses:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon MCT oil
Sugar-free sweetener (stevia or monk fruit)
This keto coffee creamer recipe provides healthy fats and virtually no carbs.
Next, low-carb coffee creamers. My best recipe combines:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (extract, not essence)
Sugar-free sweetener
Ground nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)
This low-carb recipe keeps carbs down while still being super creamy.
To keep calories down, your best bet is a low-calorie coffee creamer recipe, using:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (30 calories)
2 tablespoons low-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Stevia, to taste
This mixture provides richness without the heavy caloric load of traditional coffee creamers.
Lastly, dairy-free coffee creamers. These consists of:
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or preferred sweetener)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To enhance this dairy-free coffee creamer, add flavors like almond or coconut extract. This recipe is rich and creamy, Plus, it’s 100% vegan, making it suitable for lactose-intolerant folks.
Final Thoughts
Coffee creamer isn’t just another addition to your morning brew. It’s much, much more! The type of coffee creamer you use says a lot about your coffee personality. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a store-bought diehard or, like me, natural blend devotee.
The perfect coffee creamer recipe can transform an ordinary cup of joe into something extraordinary.
And another thing: The world of coffee creamers is constantly evolving. New options and creative recipes keep appearing on store shelves everywhere. So, take the time to explore and discover what works best for you.
What’s your go-to coffee creamer recipe? Do you have a secret homemade recipe? Share it below, and let’s swap coffee creamer stories!
Coffee Creamer FAQ
Traditional dairy creamers contain milk and cream. Non-dairy creamers contain water, vegetable oil, corn syrup, stabilizers, emulsifiers and sodium caseinate (a milk protein). Plant-based creamers are made from oats, nuts, or soy, plus thickeners and stabilizers.
While it’s safe, I wouldn’t recommend it. Creamers are additives with concentrated ingredients and sweeteners. They may cause digestive issues if you consume them in large amounts.
