French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

September 4, 2011 · by

 

Please check out the updated version of this coffee creamer with more than 2 dozen flavors you can make yourself, and some great hints & tips!

Coffee is my best friend in the mornings.  Sometimes it is even my best friend in the afternoon.  I take mine with cream & sugar while my husband takes his sugar & cream with a little bit of coffee.

Needless to say, coffee creamer is as much of a necessity in our house as a loaf of bread.  It can get expensive though & a lot of the times, you can’t even pronounce all of the ingredients on the label.  That’s never a good thing.  Or, you just run out of it – and don’t want to drive to the store to get some more.

 

 

Making my own coffee creamer has long replaced the store bought here.  It’s cheap, easy, & you know what’s in it.

Interested?  Here’s what you need:

 

 

Combine it all in a jar, and shake vigorously to combine.

 


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French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Ingredients

  • 14oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 14oz milk (whole, lowfat, or skim – doesn’t matter)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR Vanilla Coffee Syrup for a stronger flavor
  • a large mason jar, or other container of your choice
  • {Check out this updated post for over 2 dozen additional flavors|14oz sweetened condensed milk
  • 14oz milk (whole, lowfat, or skim – doesn’t matter)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR Vanilla Coffee Syrup OR vanilla bean paste
  • a mason jar (quart is perfect)]

Instructions

Pour all of the ingredients into your mason jar. Screw the lid on tightly, and shake vigorously for a few minutes until well combined.

*To Make it creamier, substitute the milk for heavy cream

**I use the milk/cream that I use expiration date as a guide to how long my homemade creamer is good for

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Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Cooking, Frugal Living, Make Your Own ·
  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/13453577644130326974 The Poet Herself

    Wow, that’s really easy! Never thought of making my own coffee creamer before, but now you’ve intrigued me.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09741922900012645753 Micha

    I don’t normally drink coffee but I think this would help me make and exception to that.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03823093277463912602 The Chef

    Great idea and good point about knowing what’s in it. Love this. Thanks for linking at MaFF Monday!

    (The Lucky Wife via The Chef)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08145449941678035679 Krista

    Wow! How easy! Thanks so much for sharing at Church Supper. Love to see new faces. Hope to see you again next week.

    Everyday Mom’s Meals

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16327344027557036250 Candace

    What a great idea! I bet that tastes absolutely fantastic. I’m just a little half and half in my coffee kind of gal on a daily basis and like a sweet coffee every now and then as a treat. I do have friends and relatives who would LOVE for me to have some of this available for when the visit. I’m going to make some up for my next get together. Thanks!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00402413191667312163 Michelle Maskaly

    What a great idea!!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05435961666045139667 Robyn

    Making this this week!!! Thanks so much for sharing it in this week’s Mingle Monday!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08629872450201868937 Jackie

    How long will the creamer keep in the refrigerator?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08147512975300664856 Rose and Heather

    This is awesome! Rose and I are huge coffee drinkers. This we will be trying out for sure! PINNED We would love to have you over at our link party, Crafty Lassie Tuesday. We are also having a giveaway! Hope to see you there, http://www.SewStylishBoutique.blogspot.com

    Heather & Rose

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12747847020927692640 Elsa

    This is easy! And I love the creamer container! How long will this last in the fridge?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09508156906475192446 Mrs Happy Homemaker

    @Elsa – it will last for 3-5 days after the sell by date on the milk that you use. Just make sure that you keep it sealed in something like a mason jar or a tupperware like container. If you want it to last longer than the typical gallon of milk, you can buy SmartBalance milk…it has a really long shelf life.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11467372605925960808 Tara

    Yum! I would love to make this!

    I’d love to have you share this and any other of your amazing posts over at my linky party Create and Share. It posts every Wednesday. We open the party Tuesday evening at 8 pm for those who like to link up early. Hope you stop by… http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/09/create-and-share-features-too.html

    Tara @Trendy Treehouse
    http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/03339110296201836992 Jennifer

    Isn’t this clever! I love coffee too. I drink about 3 cups a day myself but usually just with milk. I like the idea of using the condensed milk. That stuff is yummy!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05757047116906104283 Abby

    I love this idea. I use International Delights, but would love to switch to something with less chemicals.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07538674713445320281 The Better Baker

    Amazing idea! Can never go wrong with sweetened condensed milk in anything. I go through a lot of creamer too – love my coffee sweet and white. =) Thanks – I will try this as I have everything on hand!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14685233414793581986 Carole @ Blue Chateau Interiors

    Thanks so much for posting this. We tend to go through the store-bought creamer here and I’d love to make my own.

    Can’t wait to try it!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/15601560297051509756 Angela@the crazyness that is me

    Wow this looks fantastic! I have all the stuff to make it tonight but I want a cute little jar like yours so will wait till tomorrow!

  • Samantha McDonald

    That seems so easy! Thanks. And we use Penzey’s spices too. My husband loves to cook so we have a cupboard full of them. I’ve been looking for ways to save on groceries and this will help a lot. Thank you!

  • Willa Zandi

    Love the recipe, but I love the coffee and creamer set even more. Are they old or do you know where I could find some?

    • HunneeJB

      Willa – it looks like Temp-Tations ceramic ware. I have some pieces and got them from QVC. Hope this helps!

  • BB98563

    The other day there were all kinds of comments on different recipes for other flavors…can you still post those?

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      I just switched servers and the old comments haven’t yet switched over yet. I have nearly 500 posts on my website, so it’s taking a few days. They should show very soon, so keep checking back. Thank you for your patience!

  • http://www.facebook.com/gina.boyd.elm Gina Elm

    I imagine you can use whatever extract you like … will have to try as I am addicted as well…

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      You can. I just switched to a new server, and all comments haven’t switched yet…check back in a few days, and you can see all the other reader’s tips & suggestions for other flavors :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/magaly.sanchez.142 Magaly Sanchez

    How long does it keep?

    • MrsHappyHomemaker

      I use mine until the expiration date on the milk that I add to it. Some of my readers prefer to use theirs for 1 week though.

  • http://www.facebook.com/samagaret Sherlie Magaret

    The dulce de leche sweetened condensed milk makes a wonderful caramel flavored coffee creamer too. find it in the mexican section of your grocery store.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Walkingchic Michelle Richards Danajka

    Bless you! This is awesome!!!

  • Lyndsy Nicolw

    Would this work with lactaid too for those of us that are lactose intolerant? The good thing about the store bought creamers are they are non dairy.

    • lizzie-o

      Even if you used Lactaid for the milk portion, the sweetened condensed milk still has lactose in it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/meemakay Kay Dryden

    will this also work for Almond milk? I am lactose intolerant and do not use actual milk nor that lactaid stuff. I use either Almond milk, Rice Milk or Coconut Milk.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rosie.sparklemuffin Rosie Sparklemuffin

    Any suggestions for the new fall flavors that are out…Pumpkin Pie Spice?

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  • macsam

    How long will this last in the fridge though… that’t why people use the fake stuff; it lasts for months in the fridge.

    • http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/ Mrs Happy Homemaker

      It will keep until the expiration date on the milk that you’re using. Obviously, it doesn’t contain the preservatives that the storebought does.

    • http://www.facebook.com/laurie.musial Laurie Musial

      Food is supposed to spoil. If it lasts forever without going sour or molding, there is probably a bunch of “bad for you” crap in it.

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  • Tink-bell5@hotmail.com

    could you use 1/2 &1/2 in place of the milk?

    • http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/ Mrs Happy Homemaker

      Yes, you can

  • http://www.facebook.com/melissa.lee.3998263 Melissa Lee

    I freeze mine in ice cube trays and use it to bring my coffee to a drinkable temperature in the morning. You can safely freeze milk for up to 3 months. You just have to be careful with other things you have in the freezer because milk does absorb flavors such as onion. Wrapping in saran wrap helps minimize this.

  • Lizzie-O

    There is a reason you can’t pronounce anything on the label… it is because it is non-dairy (well, lactose free with a milk derivative). I would love to use because I love real cream this but my roommate is lactose-intolerant so she would not approve and the two of us splitting the cost of those giant creamer containers (like 60 oz or something like that) makes it pretty cheap anyway. This definitely isn’t healthier, by the way. It is laden with sugar and fat. Just because you can’t pronounce an ingredient doesn’t make it less healthy.

    • Linda

      It isn’t about whether or not you can pronounce an ingredient, it is about what is it that you are actually eating, a food or a chemical additive meant to mimic the taste and texture of the food you are trying to replace… a toxin that your liver has to figure out what to do with. Those nondairy pwdered creamers are not food and are not healthy to consume. Do some research on each ingredient and see for yourself. Heinous!

      To avoid lactose in a healthy way look to the coconut! You can even get powdered coconut milk. Coconut is so healthy. It has good healthy fats that your body knows what to do with.

      In our house, we use grassfed non-homogenized half and half with all the fat we can get. This recipe is intriguing though for a treat. But I would double the milk and use the sweet condensed milk from whole foods.

    • Kelson Hayes

      If, like me, you add sugar to your coffee anyway, using sweetened condensed milk makes absolutely no difference. Non dairy creamer that I used has fat in it, you can see the fat on the top of the coffee. And no I won’t use fat free — talk about not healthy for you!

    • http://www.facebook.com/nancy.carlson.1675 Nancy Carlson

      The hydrogenated oils alone in coffee creamers are enough to scare me in to using plain milk…!! I’d heard for years about how coffee creamers have bad oils, but I figured it was no worse then french fries..That is until I started reading up on it…I guess when you get older you take some things more seriously..
      http://www.naturalnews.com/024694_oil_food_oils.html
      Also, when I use to use coffee creamers I never had to use sugar because they are so full of sugar themselves + bad oils (really bad oils) So I give a thumbs up on this recipe…You could do the same thing with half and half (it even comes in fat free) Splenda and vanilla…… :)

  • http://twitter.com/4hatsandfrugal Amiyrah Martin

    This looks great, but it’s not dairy free like the ones in the stores. Have you tried to make a dairy free version?

    • B

      You can use the lactaid (or kroger brand lactose free milk). I am very specific in what I eat due to taste, but my DH is a hero in introducing me to the stuff.

    • http://www.facebook.com/laurie.musial Laurie Musial

      There are other “milks” that are not dairy. Coconut (which I’m told doesn’t taste at all like coconut), soy etc.

  • shanan

    How long does this stay good for?

  • Kathy Barth

    I really like this as a wholesome alternative – Making it with Heritage Organic milks (long self-life) would make for longer storage. My son and daughter-in-law love the French Vanilla. Thank you!

  • Nana

    Hmm, any ideas on making a powder one?? I prefer my coffee hot…

    • brenda

      just heat the creamer in microwave for 30 sec. before using

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1759252705 Connie Henderson

    I know this would be Delicious. I am like you, .have to have my creamer! This sounds great!

  • denise

    if i was to make the hazelnut what do i use instead of vanilla

    • http://twitter.com/karinamichelle karinamichelle

      Hazelnut extract. :)

  • cadylou

    For this that are lactose intalerant you could also use lactaid in place of regular milk.

  • http://www.facebook.com/fuyuko.gratton Fuyuko Gratton

    I made mine with vanilla beans instead of the extract (and boil all the ingredients together).

  • http://www.facebook.com/Liz.Keller.Glissman Liz Keller Glissman

    Is the milk 14 ounces fluid measure or 14 ounces by weight?

  • marti

    Love the temptaions dishware:)

  • naynay

    What a great recipe. Thanks for sharing! If I may ask, where did you buy the coffee cups/creamer set?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      They come from the line ‘Temp-tations’ from QVC

  • Kathy

    Thanks so much for this recipe. My husband uses flavored creamers BUT is diabetic. I found a recipe online for Sugar Free Condensed milk to replace the regular Condensed milk. 1 – 12 ounce can evaporated milk, 1 1/2 cups nonfat dry milk and 1/2 cup Splenda. Mix well and refrigerate. I am also going to experiment with this in Fudge.

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      I love this! Thanks so much for sharing, Kathy! :)

    • Debra Andrews

      Thanks so much!! My hubby is diabetic also. This is great now I can make some of our favorite recipes again, with this sugar free version of sweetened condensed milk.

  • knws

    Hey, Temp-tations!! I have the Cranberry…they are AMAZING arent they!! love the recipe, thnks for sharing!!!

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      I love my Temp-tations too!

  • http://www.facebook.com/debbie.w.light Debbie Warren Light

    Can I can this in a waterbath or pressure canner?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      No, I don’t think that would work – but someone please correct me if I’m wrong!

  • pblmt

    Thank you so much for sharing this – I can finally break free from my store bought version! It’s delicious!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/keely.wilson.568 Keely Wilson

    WOW! I made it with the heavy cream and I do not think that’s necessary. It is so rich and creamy, my kids added milk to it and it’s so sweet and amazing!

  • Michele

    I just tried making this yesterday & I was wondering if you could tell me what I did wrong…. Mine has a very strong “alcohol-y” flavor. I was so excited about making this… :( Help Please!

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      It sounds like an issue with the quality of your vanilla extract. Make sure you only use pure vanilla extract with this recipe :)

      • Michele

        Thanks for the reply – Do you think it could it be the “brand” because what I used did say pure vanilla extract. Would heating or anything else help with this?

        • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

          It could be a brand thing too – or even the batch of vanilla. If not done correctly, vanilla extract can end up being more alcohol flavor rather than vanilla. I don’t think heating would help, but adding the insides of a vanilla bean would.

  • Jenny

    In my culture, we use condense milk to sweeten our coffee.

  • survivalgearup

    Great. Sharing to my blog survivalgearup.blogspot.com.

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  • Sherry R

    I used 12oz carnation evaporated milk ( sugar free) , 4Tablespoons great value no calorie sugar substitute, 12oz 1% milk and 2 tsp vanilla to make mine and it turned out delicious.

  • Heidi

    I always use maple syrup and coconut milk. (whole foods organic coconut milk is the best tasting so far!) I will add a splash of vanilla to try this recipe suggestion!

  • rj

    Tried this & it is sooo good. And easy to make! Thanks!

  • Missy

    How long can you keep it in the fridge?

  • Paeya05

    I used almond milk instead of regular milk and it still turned out just great! Thanks for the recipe!

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  • Ripley

    its a shame, I wouldn’t eat the condensed milk, its condensed GMO poison. I wish I could get it in organic, I would be all over this.

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      You can get it organic if you look in the right places. I can find it at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and online. Also, you can forgo the storebought sweetened condensed milk completely, and make your own version. You can google it for the method, it’s very simple! When you do this, you can substitute the sugar called for for a sugar substitute of your choice Hope this helps!

      • Betty Patton

        For all of you who think using sugar substitutes are healthy, do your research. They are chemicals and shuts down the enzyme needed to regulate your insulin. The only true replacement that is healthy is Stevia, Molasses, Honey(raw) and pure Maple Syrup. Sugar substitutes are the reason we have an explosion of Type II diabetes in this country. I am 79 years young and was diagnosed Type II in Jan. 2010. It took 2 1/2 years to figure out I was not diabetic, but was insulin resistant. I have not been ill with flu or a cold since 1982. I gained 50 pounds over a 20 year period due to the insulin resistance. 3 months ago they took me off diabetic meds. and gave me meds for insulin resistance. My weight is coming off and I now have energy.

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  • Gail

    I just decided to give up store bought flavored creamers today since we ran out anyway. Problem is, I have been thinking about that coffee creamer all day! LOL! Thank you for this!!!

  • abbymcalister@yahoo.com

    so EXCITED to see this! I live in the middle east and the price I pay for coffee creamer is outrageous. I am trying this tonight! Thanks!!

  • Jennifer

    Would this work with non dairy milks?

  • waukone

    I have used a similar recipe and have much less upset stomach episodes. I thought it was the coffee and it in fact was the creamer. Other friends are finding it works well for them.

  • krystal

    this is a great idea!!! for those who are lactose intolerant (like me) this is still an option…instead of using regular milk or cream get the lactose free milk…simple fix…for the ones who are worried about it being loaded with to much fat then get the lactose free/fat free milk (or regular fat free milk) easy fix as well…thanks for this recipe…im tired of paying 6 bucks for creamer when MOST are not lactose free and if my husband buys the wrong one I got to suffer :( will be using this soon!!!

  • Cindy

    Better be careful when using vanilla extract. The alcohol percentage is 35%! I remember a friend did that to her coffee and got super wasted.

  • http://www.facebook.com/bobbie.richie Bobbie Richie

    wouldn’t powdered milk last a lot longer?

    • http://MrsHappyHomemaker.com/ Crystal

      No, it wouldn’t as powdered milk has a tendency to mold.

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  • MuddyWaters

    This last year our home has decided that we are going to eat clean and like it! lol Our rule is if we don’t know what the first four ingredients are then we don’t buy it. So that means less fun coffee flavors until now! Thank you so much for posting!