How to Make French Vanilla Coffee Creamer in Under 5 Minutes

How to make French vanilla coffee creamer? it’s easier than you’d think, I just simply shake sweetened condensed milk, milk and pure vanilla extract together in a jar for about 30 seconds, then chill it: Check the recipe card for exact ratios and steps. I got sick of squinting at bottle labels, so I started making my own, and the fridge hasn’t been without a jar since. 

My homemade French vanilla coffee creamer lands pretty close to the café stuff, except you get to pick how sweet it is. If you’re new to the coffee creamer world, you can check out my guide on how to make coffee creamer at home. If you’re a caramel fan like me, you can also try my homemade caramel coffee creamer next. Below, you’ll get all the ingredients, a step-by-step recipe, and all your questions answered about how to make French vanilla coffee creamer.

My Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Homemade French vanilla coffee creamer is a sweet and vanilla-forward creamer made from only 3 ingredients you can read in just 2 seconds. Bottled versions mostly list water, sugar, vegetable oil, and whatnot. 

Ingredients needed for French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

My homemade version is super simple with just 3 ingredients:

1. Sweetened condensed milk: It sweetens the creamer and gives it body, so I don’t add any extra sugar
2. Milk: This is what makes the creamer pourable. I personally prefer whole milk, but half and half gives a richer cup
3. Vanilla extract: Go for pure extract because it tastes warmer to me than imitation. I measure it instead of guessing, since too much starts to taste harsh

Shake again before each pour, because it settles. Mine lasts about a week in the fridge.

The name comes from French vanilla ice cream, which uses a custard base made with egg yolks, according to Tasting Table. Creamers don’t use eggs.  On a creamer label, the name just promises a richer and sweeter vanilla than the plain kind.

I think of it as vanilla with the volume turned up: Cozy, not fancy.

How to Make French Vanilla Coffee Creamer?

I start with a clean jar, because anything left in it ends up in the taste; then I pour in the condensed milk first and scrape the can well, since it’s thick and stubborn. Next goes the milk, then the vanilla. I measure the vanilla every time, because too much turns harsh on me.

Then I screw the lid on tight and shake for about 30 seconds, until I can’t see any streaks. It goes straight into the fridge: don’t forget to check the recipe card for exact ratios and steps.

What Does French Vanilla Creamer Taste Like?

To me, sweet vanilla comes first, followed by a mellow, almost caramel-like creaminess behind it. As a caramel lover, I notice that second note right away, and I suspect it’s why I like this creamer so much.

I have tried it in a dark roast, and it worked well. In a bright light roast, I find it covers up the fruity notes, so I use less.

How to Make French Vanilla Coffee Creamer Without Condensed Milk

Just make a quick syrup from sugar and water, then add milk, stir in the vanilla. It comes out thinner than the condensed milk one. 

• When I want more body, I swap some of the milk for heavy cream
• If you want deeper vanilla, steep a split vanilla bean in the milk on low heat for about 20 minutes, then strain it

What Can I Use as a Substitute for French Vanilla Coffee Creamer?

Milk or half and half with a little sugar and a few drops of vanilla extract works almost as well. It won’t be as thick, but it gets you close in a pinch. Two other ways I’d do it:

• Syrup shortcut: half and half with a spoonful of my homemade vanilla coffee syrup
• Dairy-free: oat or almond milk with vanilla and a little maple syrup, like my almond milk coffee creamer

Esha Iftikhar

Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

A thick, sweet, Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer in five minutes with only 3 ingredients.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 3 cups

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14oz)
• 1¾ cups whole milk or half and half
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Method

 

1. Pour the condensed milk into a clean jar with a tight lid
Scrape the can well
2. Add the milk and the vanilla extract
3. Screw the lid on and shake hard for about 30 seconds, until there are no streaks
4. Chill in the fridge. Shake again before each use
Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons into each cup of hot or iced coffee

Notes

• Keeps about 1 week in the fridge. Smell it before pouring.
• Half and half makes it richer and thicker.
• Go up to 3 teaspoons of vanilla only if you like it strong.

 

French Vanilla Coffee Creamer Without Condensed Milk

Ingredients

• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1½ cups whole milk or half and half
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Put the water and sugar in a small pan over low heat
2. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the liquid is clear
3. Pour in the milk. Warm it gently without boiling
4. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla
5. Let it cool for a few minutes, then pour it into a clean jar

That’s how to make French vanilla coffee creamer, with or without condensed milk. Start with the shake-in-a-jar one, tweak the vanilla until it suits you, and finish the jar within a week.

Is French Vanilla Creamer Healthy?

Not really, but it’s fine in small amounts for most people. French vanilla creamer is more like a sweet treat, not a health food. The Coffee-mate label lists 35 calories and 5 g of added sugar per tablespoon.

How Many Calories Are in My Homemade French Vanilla Creamer?

My homemade version has about 33 calories and under 4 g of added sugar per tablespoon. Here’s where those calories come from, using the amounts on the recipe card:

All the added sugar comes from the condensed milk. I keep mine to 1 or 2 tablespoons a cup.

Disclaimer

This is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. The figures are approximate and change with the brand and milk you use. For advice about your own health, speak to your doctor or a registered dietitian.