Vanilla Coffee Creamer

This classic Vanilla Coffee Creamer recipe is going to motivate you to get up and moving in the morning!

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If you know me at all, you know I’m a total caffeine addict. From a morning cup of coffee to a guilty glass of cola here and there, I can’t help but get my caffeine fix wherever I can. And if there’s anything I love more than coffee, it’s my vanilla coffee creamer to go with it.

Yes, I am absolutely one of those “I’ll take coffee with my creamer” kind of people. I love a sweet and creamy flavoring to lighten up my mug. Actually, I love all kinds of additives to my coffee because I am a reformed Starbucks addict. Buuut this year, I’ve been working on spending less, saving more, and cutting back on my daily visits to my local Starbs—which is how I got around to making my own vanilla coffee creamer in the first place. As it turns out, it only takes three ingredients to make your own creamer at home, so I’m saving money AND being conscious about what I put in my body.

This DIY vanilla coffee creamer is sweet, creamy, and not too sugary. You know when things just taste artificial? None of that here. It just takes some half and half, some sweetened condensed milk, and a little bit of pure vanilla extract to whip up your own vanilla coffee creamer.

Is Vanilla Coffee Creamer Healthy?

This is certainly a high-fat recipe. However, part of the beauty of making recipes from scratch is that you get to have complete control and transparency over what you’re putting into your body. This vanilla coffee creamer is made up of just three simple ingredients, while most store-bought creamers would be loaded with added thickeners and preservatives. Plus, you can customize this to fit your own needs, such as using dairy-free products instead.

Trend Alert: Dirty Sodas

Aside from coffee, I find myself using this vanilla creamer in recipes for my latest guilty pleasure: dirty sodas. If you haven’t seen the viral dirty soda trend yet, prepare to be WOWED! The classic style of dirty soda is made with cola, coconut coffee creamer, and lime juice, but places like Swig have taken dirty sodas to a whole new level with endless flavor combos. My go-to order? Doc Pop from Poppi (a sparkling prebiotic soda), freshly squeezed lime juice, and, of course, my homemade vanilla coffee creamer. Something about it just has that 50s diner feel! Sooo sweet and creamy.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix
Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.

Store
Refrigerate and use within 7-10 days.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

Store your vanilla coffee creamer in a tightly sealed glass jar in the fridge for 7 to 10 days. Be sure to shake it well before each use.

How Can I Adjust the Flavor?

You can make a variation of this coffee creamer to suit whatever flavor you prefer. Just swap the vanilla extract for your preferred flavor, like caramel, chocolate, or hazelnut.

What’s the Difference Between Vanilla and French Vanilla?

Though you might assume the term “French vanilla” refers to a specific type of vanilla bean, it actually comes from the French style of making vanilla ice cream with egg yolks. The addition of eggs gives the ice cream a richer flavor. This eventually evolved into brands adopting the term “French vanilla” for products other than ice cream to denote a deeply rich vanilla flavor.

Serving Suggestions

You can add your vanilla coffee creamer to any cup of joe you’d like! You can even try it in a Coffee Smoothie, or pair it with a homemade cold foam. Enjoy your coffee with a filling and healthy breakfast of Fried Eggs, Turkey Bacon, and Avocado Toast, or with an on-the-go meal like a Breakfast Sandwich.

Recipe