Monday, March 17, 2014

DIY "French" Vanilla Coffee Creamer (GF)


I love to have a cup of coffee most mornings... well, actually, it’s more like a cafe au lait (half milk, half brewed coffee), but who’s really keeping track.  I’m somewhat of a morning person, so I honestly don’t drink the coffee for the caffeine. I prefer to drink my coffee simply for the ritual of it.


Not much of my day-to-day life has structure anymore. I can set my own schedule, do my own things, which is both good and bad depending on the day. Even our mealtimes vary greatly from day to day (contingent on husband’s work schedule).


There’s something so special about the morning coffee ritual.  I warm my mug, half filled with milk, then add the hot coffee. Speaking of coffee, my in-laws gifted us some of this coffeein early 2013 and we’re completely hooked now....  It’s become one of our few grocery budget splurges.


But now comes the shameful confession portion.  Even though we drink relatively “fancy” coffee, and even though I’ve worked as a barista, I still have a guilty pleasure when it comes to coffee at home: french vanilla coffee creamer.  Yes, I’m cringing even as I write those words.


Not only do I hate the stigma of a french vanilla coffee creamer consumer (I have visions of gas station cappuccino, which is *another* occasional guilty pleasure of mine), but I know that creamer isn’t good for me.... Though I do feel somewhat better knowing that we’re not drinking the fat free or sugar free versions, even the regular coffee creamer is full of chemicals and unnatural ingredients.


Even more shameful is that I do not just add the faux creamer to my daily coffee, but I also became addicted to adding a splash to bowls of gluten free Rice Chex. YIKES! I’ve got to stop this cycle soon....  Before it gets any worse!


Luckily, Food52 posted a recipe for homemade coffee creamer. Why did I never think of making my own before now?!? It may not taste *exactly* like my favorite french vanilla store-bought variety, but I like that I can adjust the flavoring & sweetness to my own likings. And it’s free from chemicals & weird ingredients :)


Homemade “French” Vanilla Coffee Creamer (GF)
Adapted from Food52

When I worked as a barista, I was taught to make “french” vanilla beverages by adding a little bit of hazelnut syrup along with some regular vanilla syrup  but I have been unable to find any concrete information to back up that practice? Most sources simply say that “french” vanilla should taste more “custard-y.” So, I’m adding a little maple syrup to mimic that “custard-y” flavor found in store bought french vanilla coffee creamer.

1/2 c Milk
1/2 c Heavy Cream
1.75 oz / 1/4 c Granulated Sugar
1 Tbl real maple syrup
1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste

  1. Add the milk, cream, and granulated sugar to a small stainless steel sauce pan. Bring to a simmer on medium high heat, stirring constantly. 
  2. Reduce the heat to low & continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar completely dissolves, about 2 minutes. 
  3. Remove from the heat, and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla bean paste. 
  4. Cool the creamer completely, using an ice bath, before pouring it into a vessel (with a lid) for refrigeration. I like to use an old coffee creamer bottle. 
  5. Shake well before use. Creamer will keep, stored properly, for approximately 2 weeks. 
Notes: 

  • If you prefer to use an actual vanilla bean in lieu of the vanilla bean paste, add the seeds from half a vanilla bean to the sugar & mix well with your fingers to infuse the vanilla flavor into the sugar granules.  Add the sugar to the milk & cream and continue as directed above. Good vanilla extract may also be used, however, it will not have as strong a vanilla flavor. 
  • To make a dairy free version, try substituting a nut milk or coconut milk for the milk & heavy cream.  
  • Add other spices or flavorings if you like.  The dairy could be infused with other items like herbs. Or reduce the sugar, if you prefer a less sweet creamer. 
  • Recipe easily doubles, if you go through copious amounts of coffee creamer :) The stove top cooking process just may take a little longer. 
This post contains affiliate links. 

13 comments:

  1. French vanilla coffee creamer is palatable. Thanks for post

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post about the DIY French Vanilla Coffee Creamer (GF) Get the Non Dairy Creamer online.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the post and great tips: even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success. Coffee Expert

    ReplyDelete
  5. This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here! Medium roast coffee

    ReplyDelete
  6. Always so interesting to visit your site.What a great info, thank you for sharing. this will help me so much in my learning best espresso machine with steam

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great recipe of DIY French Vanilla Coffee Creamer. I am going to try it today in reusable k cup and will share with you :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Best Recipe of DIY French Vanilla Organic Coffee Creamer. I must say you have a creative mind :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, I personally love to find my mug full of coffee before me in the morning. I think most of the coffee lovers do so. Now, let me leave a warm coffee loving thanks to you for this awesome and delicious read. You indeed made my day Laura. Love the way you stepped into your final treat. I was tremendously charmed for being able to find out your sweet treats world. Seriously, I enjoyed your Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer so so much.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I liked your article, if you wish feel free to check also mine@: Coffee Maker For Americano Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great blog. I delighted in perusing your articles. This is really an awesome perused for me. I have bookmarked it and I am anticipating perusing new articles. Keep doing awesome! There is so much in this article that I would never have thought of on my own. Your content gives readers things to think about in an interesting way. Wonderful article. Fascinating to read. I love to read such an excellent article. Thanks! It has made my task more and extra easy. Keep rocking. Very interesting information, worth recommending. However, I recommend this Nice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which I need, thanks to offer such a helpful information here. Thanks for your article! I have read through some similar topics! However, your post has given me a very special impression, unlike other posts. I hope you continue to have valuable articles like this or more to share with everyone! Excellent read, Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work .
    온라인카지노


    >cc

    ReplyDelete
  12. Glad to visit your blog. Thanks for great post that you share to us...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Its really wonderful and watchable. I like to share it with all my friends and hope they will definitely like it.

    ReplyDelete