Description
This homemade coffee creamer recipe creates a rich, smooth, and lightly sweetened creamer perfect for enhancing your morning coffee. Made with simple ingredients including whole milk, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract, it is gently simmered to develop a deep caramel-like flavor and creamy texture without any preservatives or artificial additives.
Ingredients
Scale
Milk Mixture
- 4 cups whole milk, divided (or your milk of choice)
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (or your sweetener of choice)
Flavoring
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
Instructions
- Combine milk and sugar: In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add 2 cups of milk and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar. Place the pan over low heat.
- Simmer and reduce: Slowly bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally at first to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved, avoid stirring as the mixture simmers for about 30 to 35 minutes until it reduces to approximately 3/4 of the original volume, around 1 1/2 cups. The mixture will develop a light golden brown color.
- Remove foam: During simmering, you may notice foam or film forming on the surface. Gently skim off the foam with a spoon and discard it to ensure a smooth creamer.
- Cool the milk syrup: Once reduced, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the milk syrup to cool until it is warm to the touch.
- Combine remaining milk and vanilla: Add the remaining 2 cups of milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the cooled milk syrup. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Store properly: Pour the creamer into a quart-sized airtight container and refrigerate. Use within the sell-by date of the milk used for best quality and safety.
Notes
- You can substitute whole milk with any milk of your choice, including plant-based alternatives, but the texture and richness may vary.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar or using your preferred sweetener.
- Vanilla bean paste can be used instead of vanilla extract for a more intense vanilla flavor.
- Do not stir the milk mixture during simmering to prevent scorching and to allow proper caramelization.
- Store the creamer in the refrigerator and use within the recommended date based on the milk used.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade coffee creamer, dairy creamer, vanilla coffee creamer, brown sugar creamer, coffee enhancer
