Updated January 2020. The idea of homemade coffee creamer has piqued my interest for quite some time. I can easily go through multiple bottles of coffee creamer in a week, since I’m a pretty heavy coffee drinker. At about $3 a pop, that’s $24 per month just on coffee creamer alone. So I decided to make it myself to see if I could save a few dollars.
I used the steps in a post from 365 Days of Baking (she has since taken down the post and I can no longer link). I made a few tweaks because the tutorial was for vanilla creamer and I wanted to create a caramel coffee creamer. It was also too sweet for my taste, so I added a bit more milk.
Overall, I love making my own coffee creamer at home. Just in case you’re wanting to try as well, I thought it would be a good idea to answer some of the most common questions that people have about making their own DIY coffee creamer.
Can You Use Evaporated Milk?
You can! If you want to swap out the condensed milk for evaporated milk, it can be a great way to make creamer for coffee. The taste will be a little bit different but it’s still really, really good.
What is a Good Substitute for Creamer in Coffee?
While making your own homemade creamer is a great choice, you can always use almond milk as a substitute. If you’re looking for a specific taste and flavor, you can pretty much substitute in a wide variety of flavors as well. Almond milk is lactose free. I don’t find it quite as creamy as milk-based creamers, but I really appreciate the lower calories.
Is Coffee Mate Creamer Bad for You?
Too much of anything is unhealthy. If you’re worried about the ingredients that you’re drinking multiple times throughout the day in your coffee, this is where making a healthy coffee creamer at home can be a great choice.
How Can You Tell If Coffee Creamer Has Gone Bad?
It’s true, coffee creamer doesn’t last forever. If you’re wondering if the coffee creamer that you’ve made at home is good any longer, you can do a couple of things to test.
The simple sniff test is one way that you can easily find out if your homemade creamer is no longer good. If it smells sour, throw it out.
If you’re pouring the creamer and it’s curdled, it’s no longer any good. And if you pour it into your coffee and it doesn’t mix in right away, there’s a good chance that it’s past its prime and needs to be tossed out.
Homemade Caramel Coffee Creamer
Ingredients
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 18 oz milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp Torani Caramel Syrup
Instructions
- Pour milk into container. You can reuse an old coffee creamer bottle if you have one on hand.
- Add can of sweetened condensed milk.
- Add vanilla and caramel syrup.
- Stir very well as the sweetened condensed milk will rest at the bottom if you don't stir well.
- Pour into your coffee.
- Stir, taste and adjust the ingredients to your liking.
Nutrition
Homemade Coffee Creamer
Calling this a recipe is a stretch. You literally just pour and shake, and you have coffee creamer. But hey, I’m all for saving time.
Update: I finally did the cost comparison (sorry for taking so long on that!) and it isn’t as inexpensive as I’d hoped. 🙁 The biggest expense is the sweetened condensed milk. In order to lower the cost, you can make your own sweetened condensed milk.
You do save a little money by making it yourself, but if you’re only doing this from a cost-saving perspective, it’s really not worth it, in my opinion. With that said, I do think this tastes incredible and I love being able to customize the taste to my preference. So I do still make it occasionally.
Hi Jazmin,
This is great! I didn’t even know you could make your own coffee creamer. I can’t wait to try this!
Cheers,
Becky
It’s super easy and tasty. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
Where do you get the caramel flavoring?
Where do you all get the flavorings? I want it to be as chemical free as possible. I have everything but the flavorings. Thanks!!! : )
Most grocery stores sell them now and coffee shops
Her in California we have a warehouse type store called Smart & Final- great place for syrups- both regular and sugar-free. I have also bought them online.
Cool! Flavored creamers without the hydrogenated oil! Gotta try this – thanks for sharing!
Thank for stopping by, Jill!
I love hazelnut. Now, off to the kitchen to see what I can come up with.. 🙂
Yum! I’ve been making sweet creamer with evaporated milk & sweetened condensed milk and never thought about adding caramel to it. What a good idea! I’m a new follower by way of the Pin Junkie’s Friday link up. Have a great weekend!
Melanie
violetsbuds.blogspot.com
I’ve wondered about making it with evaporated milk. Does it make it thick and creamy? Thanks for stopping by, Melanie!
Melanie G — I do the same thing with mine creamer too, but I use vanilla extract to sweeten it…
Sarah @ http://www.thehopejourney.wordpress.com
this sounds iike something even i could whip up! any thoughts on how long this would last? i’m not a big coffee drinker so wouldn’t need this much. thinking maybe freezing the extra in ice cube trays for iced coffee would be a good way to go?
I can go through it in a few day, so I never have any leftover! LOL. I think a good guideline would be to use it by the expiration date of the whole milk, as it’s the only perishable thing in the recipe.
I’ll try freezing a few cube for iced coffee and let you know how it goes. That’s a great idea, Jenn! 🙂
I pinned this for later. I can’t wait to try this one out!
Thanks Tamara! 🙂
What a great idea! This DIY coffee creamer looks great. Thank you for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Thanks, Cindy!
Thank you for sharing this. My American friend has been puzzling everyone by asking for coffee creamer since she got to the UK – it’s just something we don’t do. I might make her some or just give her the recipe to make herself.
Thanks for the great tutorial. You make it look easy and delicious!
Looks delicious – I love caramel flavored beverages, or just anything caramel-flavored. Visiting from Time to Sparkle.
cool idea, can’t wait to try this! It sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing
Every morning I have a couple of cups of coffee with a QUITE A LOT OF CREAM. Great recipe, just my kind of yum! (Sharon)
Another big Thank You for sharing at the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT.
Sharon and Denise ♥
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What a wonderful idea and so much cheaper than the alternative! Pinning and definitely planning on making. I’d be thrilled if you’d come on over to Pink Recipe Box and link up at Creative Wednesdays: http://pinkrecipebox.com/creative-wednesdays-with-pink-recipe-box-4/
Yum!! This looks delicious! I am definitely going to have to try this!
kieranhoneybee.blogspot.com
Mmmm, this looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’m visiting from DIY Sunday Showcase link party.
Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life
great idea and yummy too. Hugs!!
I use a ton of coffee creamer too! This is a great way to save money. This post would fit in perfectly with Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop’s theme & our readers would love to see this. I’d love it if you linked this up to our hop. Just click on “Carrie This Home” next to my picture and that will take you right to the hop.
Thank you and have a great day!
I found this last week and tried it! I love it! Thank you so much for the recipe!
This is sooooooo WONDERFUL, I wish I knew this years ago, Thanks!
I don’t use any kind od coffee creamer, but my husband drinks a litle bit of coffee with his creamer…he prefers hazlenut….but the reason I am commenting is, I have to disagree with you on the vanilla, NOTHING can compare to pure Vanillas extract…the imitation (cheap) does not even come close to real vanilla….I make my own…a fifth of good grade vodka with 8 split vanilla beans and allow to sit for 6 weeks….It is the best vanilla you will ever taste…and anything that calls for vanilla, it has to be good or the end product is well, less than a quality product..now I am going to make my hubby some hazel nut coffee creamer…he goes thru this stuf like crazy!!!!
It’s awesome that you make your own vanilla! It sounds like a time intensive but rewarding process. 🙂
I would love to make my own vanilla, but vanilla beans are VERY EXPENSIVE! I can’t even IMAGINE how much 8 of them would set you back ~ almost makes a trip to Mexico cost-effective! 🙂
Actually, if you try ebay, the vanilla beans are quite affordable.
Just make sure you choose a seller with a good reputation.
There are different GRADES, please look up the type that suites your purpose.
The lower grade is fine for making extract.
10 beans can run less than $10, and that should include shipping too.
How do you make Hazelnut? I too prefer that flavor.
Okay, that looks simple enough! But I want Pumpkin Spice creamer; my girls use a LOT!! I’m assuming I would still use some vanilla, but what then? Pumpkin pie spice mix?
Thanks for your help and the recipe!
I haven’t tried adding a pumpkin element to this. But I did do some research for you and found that Torani has a pumpkin spice syrup. If you used pumpkin pie spice (the powder), I have a feeling that the powder might float to the top or your cup once you add your coffee. So I think it might be safer to just swap out the caramel syrup for the pumpkin spice syrup.
If you do try it, please let me know how it turns out – I’d love to try some myself!
What about using a chocolate syrup for a chocolate caramel creamer?
Tried it, LOVED it!
Will never buy store bought creamer again.
Thanks so much
Sounds Great. Do you know how to make Cream Brulé?
Awesome! Caramel is just what I use. I can’t wait to try it!!!
Sounds yummy! Can’t wait to make this and start saving money. My husband likes Italian Sweet Cream. I gotta get creative with that one. Thanks for sharing!
Did you do the cost comparison? Curious as to how much you are saving by making your own.
I don’t think you save a lot, but if you run out of store bought or just want something without corn syrup and chemicals, this recipe is AWESOME!!
Sounds great, but worried the sweetened condensed milk will make it too sweet? Going to have to play with this and see what I can do to make it less sweet.
The sweetened condensed milk did make it quite sweet. I’m still trying to find a workaround myself while still maintaining the creamy consistency.
Just curious as to the cost of this recipe. Trying to get an idea on the savings.
Due to the cost of living in my area, I’m not saving an incredible amount of money since milk is over $4 per gallon here. But if you live in a lower cost of living area, I do think there would be considerable savings.
Jazmin,
thank you so much for the link love!! I’ve been dying to make some different flavors, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Caramel is one of my favorites and definitely on my to-do list!
Thanks again and I wish you an amazing 2014!
Looks so amazing! I can’t wait to try this! Thanks so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE!
Great idea! I am drinking more coffee since it’s winter so I’ll have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!
This looks so yummy! I usually just put skim milk in my coffee, but I may have to try this. I bet it would be great in an iced coffee as well. Thanks for linking up to the Thursday STYLE link party! Hope to see you at the party again this week!
I think I will try this,it look so easy! I’m just wondering …how much do you think this cost to make?
Due to the cost of living in my area, I’m not saving an incredible amount of money since milk is over $4 per gallon here. But if you live in a lower cost of living area, I do think there would be considerable savings.
did you ever do a price comparison on this? how much are you saving?
I haven’t yet (I am so forgetful!) but I will price it out next time I make this. My gut instinct tells me I’m not saving an incredible amount of money since milk is over $4 per gallon in my area. But if you live in a lower cost of living area, I do think there would be considerable savings.
If you like the cinnamon/vanilla, instead of making the special creamer you can add a dash of cinnamon and 1/2 t. of vanilla to the top of your ground and brew. Yummm
That is a great tip!
How long will this keep in the frig?
I’d recommend using the expiration date of your milk as a guideline, since it is the only perishable thing in this recipe.
Do you have a dairy free version?
I don’t at this time. Sorry about that!
I’ve been making my own coffee creamer for about a year now, initially trying to recreate the Italian Cream flavor. I don’t think it’s actually any cheaper (my recipe), but I know it’s better without all of the chemicals! I use a simple recipe of equal quantities of Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Canned Milk. I usually use 2 cans of each, heat it on the stove to mix well and shake in some powdered vanilla coffee creamer. Even though there is still “milk” in the ingredients, I think it stays fresh longer than using “regular” milk. Be careful when heating because if you don’t keep the heat on low and stir constantly the Sweetened Condensed Milk will start to caramelize and you will have little bits of dark stuff in your creamer. It doesn’t hurt it, but it’s not as appealing as smooth, bit-free creamer. At first my homemade version didn’t taste as sweet as the brand name, but now we are used to it and it is yummy, especially on cold mornings.
Love the idea of freezing I freeze left over coffee in ice cube trays so I can drink my coffee without burning my mouth. Will start saving my empty creamer containers