Stop Spending On Coffee Creamer And Use These 3 Simple Ingredients

If you enjoy coffee as part of your daily routine, then you'll know how vital it is to have the right ingredients for the perfect cup: High-quality beans or your go-to instant brand, a preferred sweetening agent, your favorite mug, and — for a touch of decadence and depth of flavor — the richest creamer you can find. 

That last addition can really elevate a simple cup of coffee, so why not make a little extra effort and whip up your own? Best of all, there's an ultra-simple three-ingredient recipe for coffee creamer. Not only is this recipe easy and affordable, but, chances are, you've already got all you need at home: a jar, sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half (or your dairy alternative of choice), and vanilla extract.

Simply add a can of sweetened condensed milk, half-and-half, and a tablespoon of real vanilla extract to your jar. Screw the lid on tight and shake it all until the ingredients are well blended. You can store your homemade creamer for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. 

One benefit of homemade coffee creamer is that you can stay in control of the exact ingredients and extracts by choosing each of the ingredients. Store-bought coffee creamers are often made with vegetable oil, giving it a longer shelf-life but also including a host of artificial sweeteners, colorants, anti-caking agents, preservatives, and flavor enhancers.

This three-ingredient coffee creamer recipe is super customizable. You can swap out ingredients to make it suitable for plant-based diets by using barista's oat milk or almond milk instead of dairy half-and-half. 

Sweetened condensed milk can also be substituted for a two-ingredient recipe for vegan condensed milk. Simply blend full-fat coconut milk or soy milk with one cup of cane sugar. Slowly and gently simmer the mixture on low heat for about an hour until the volume has decreased by half. Once it has completely cooled, add your milk alternative and vanilla extract to make coffee creamer. 

Keep in mind that cow's milk alternatives sometimes have a watery consistency that lacks the same depth of flavor as rich dairy cream. To keep the texture foamy and creamy, use an electric whisk to aerate and froth your vegan creamer before pouring it into your coffee.

These substitutions offer a great solution for vegans who want to make sure that their creamer is completely free of animal products. Store-bought non-dairy creamers are often misleading, as they can legally contain ingredients, like casein (a dairy-derived protein), that make non-dairy creamer a risky choice for vegans.

With such a simple three-ingredient foundation, you have plenty of room to experiment with flavors in this coffee creamer recipe. If you're in a holiday mood, why not try out Bailey's Irish Cream-flavored coffee creamer? 

Bailey's Irish Cream is a luscious cream-based liqueur that has a delightful hint of dark caramel. Use a large pot to heat your three-ingredient base on low heat until it's warmed through and well blended. Remove the pot from the heat and add 2 ½ ounces of Bailey's, stirring to let the heat evaporate the alcohol. Once the blend has cooled, you can store it in a Mason jar in the refrigerator. While delicious, it will still contain a small amount of alcohol.

Adding a touch of spices or syrups to your coffee creamer base can also unlock a whole new world of flavors. Start with a teaspoon, and add more if you want a bolder result. For a nutty edge, add pumpkin pie spice blend or hazelnut extract. Add a little chocolate syrup for a mocha feel, or a little caramel for a pseudo-caramel macchiato. Unlock the benefits of antioxidants in your morning cup by adding cinnamon or green matcha powder, or infuse your creamer with a scoop of soluble, heat-safe collagen.