Real Food – How to Make your Own French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

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A couple of months ago, I gave up my french vanilla coffee creamer habit. It wasn’t quite as bad as my diet cola habit, but bad enough. I’ve missed it, but I just couldn’t justify drinking it and knowing what was in it.

Make your own French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

I decided to make my own (inspired by: Simply Frugal):

real food - french vanilla coffee creamer

Ingredients:

* 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
* 1 1/4 cups milk
* 3 tsp vanilla

Mix these three together in lidded container. Shake. Enjoy! Keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks.

FYI: I am well aware that this is still not a ‘health’ food, but I like that I now recognize the entire list of ingredients –> milk, sugar, vanilla

Vs.

INGREDIENTS (International Delight brand that I used to drink):
(Non-Dairy Product) Water, sugar, palm oil, corn syrup, contains 2% or less of each of the following: Sodium caseinate* (a milk derivative), dipotassium phosphate, natural and artificial flavors, mono and diglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, carrageenan, salt.
*Sodium caseinate is not a source of lactose.

Contains: Milk.

MK xo

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50 Comments

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) · September 7, 2010 at 2:37 pm

Ohhhh, I am a little in love with you right now for posting this. I am a hopeless French vanilla crack whore, despite how often I rant about high fructose corn syrup and all the other crap in it. I’m not normally Laura Ingalls Wilder-y but this, I will make.

    Kim Becker · September 7, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    @Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass), Ohhh, I like love! I’m not so Laura’esque myself, but this is easy and tastes great. Thanks for stopping by!

    Jasen · April 25, 2015 at 11:32 am

    Hahaha I love the thought of a french vanilla Crack whore…XD #Honesty

    Jennifer Upton · November 15, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Inappropriate language. Really? Did you have to describe your hopelessness in such tacky, nasty terms? You are exactly why I might just end my interest in this website. Why do you think it’s necessary to behave like this on a public place?

peggy-lynn · September 7, 2010 at 7:48 pm

Kim: What a great idea! I am curious of the cost comparrison. Wondering too, if my next bottle could have say, butterpecan flavoring, let’s say i am off to the bulk barn to check out what extracts they have in store *L*
Thank you for your creativity.

    MommyKnows · September 7, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    @peggy-lynn, Thanks Peggy-Lynn.

    I paid $1.99 for the condensed milk, $0.30 for the milk, and $0.25 for the vanilla = $2.54 for approx 600ml of creamer.

    The last time I looked a 500ml bottle was about $3.49.

    Not a huge savings, but I quit drinking it because of the contents.

    I might try a chocolate version next :)

      peggy-lynn · September 8, 2010 at 10:50 am

      @MommyKnows, Did a bit more pondering, and three things came to mind, one, of course is to make the condensed milk at home, used to do that alot at christmas, for making fudge with, cut down the costs, and two, if there were any ideas out there for flavors and found these:
      FOR CHOCOLATE ALMOND COFFEE CREAMER:
      Add 1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 tsp almond extract

      FOR ORANGE CAPPUCCINO COFFEE CREAMER:
      Add 1 teaspoon almond extract and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract

      FOR AMARETTO COFFEE CREAMER:
      Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon almond extract

      FOR CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE MINT COFFEE CREAMER:
      3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract.

      so of course part three is the recipe, in case some don’t already have it for condensed milk:

      1 cup boiling water
      1/4 cup margarine
      2 cups white sugar
      4 cups nonfat dry milk powder

      Directions
      1 Pour boiling water into blender container. Add margarine and sugar.
      Blend until combined. Add the dry milk powder 1 cup at a time, blending after
      each addition. Store in refrigerator and use where a recipe calls for
      sweetened condensed milk, 1 1/3 cups equals one 14 ounce can

        MommyKnows · September 10, 2010 at 9:10 pm

        @peggy-lynn, Thanks for this Peggy! I will use the condensed milk recipe for making fudge this Christmas.

      Betty · May 12, 2014 at 2:28 am

      where did you get vanilla for $0.25

        Nancy White · July 12, 2017 at 8:02 pm

        I got it when we went south to the Dominican. If you know anyone that goes there, it’s dirt cheap! Like $2 for 12 oz.

      Jan · July 22, 2018 at 8:44 pm

      The Dollar Tree has sweetened condensed milk for $

Taya · September 9, 2010 at 3:34 pm

I’m so glad I’ve inspired you to try this! I find it’s a pretty darn good replacement! It’s my weekend treat. :)

    MommyKnows · September 9, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    @Taya, Thank YOU! I love your blog :) I used my first save.ca coupon (thanks to you) today and saved $2 off a pack of goodnites that were already 30% off. I was so proud.

Tassimo · December 13, 2010 at 8:33 pm

I really liked this post! As an avid coffee lover, I enjoy mixing things up. I tried this creamer out this morning and am absolutely in LOVE with it. And the great thing is, I now know what all the ingredients are. Thanks a bunch!

breezie castell · September 15, 2011 at 3:14 pm

I love that you called yourself a french vanillla crack whore, haha :)

marcoolio35 · September 19, 2011 at 7:04 pm

what a great idea ill try it out as soon as i get back home…tnx!

marcel · September 24, 2011 at 4:33 pm

I am a minimalist so I do more with less…..I have totally freed myself up from buying and owning and controling stuff…becoming a minimalist was the best thing I ever did…say no to the slavery of consumerism…..omg you will be so glad you did…..I will now not have to buy the coffee creamer either……yippie! Because I will make it….

    MommyKnows · September 27, 2011 at 10:39 am

    @marcel, I’m working on cutting down on the ‘stuff’. It is definitely liberating.

Tracy · January 10, 2012 at 10:19 am

Found your recipe and so appreciative of it….I can go through several bottles of creamer in a week which is very expensive, not healthy and just crazy. Can’t wait to give it a try.

Tracy · January 10, 2012 at 3:41 pm

Thanks again I tried it and it was GREAT!!!!!! thanks for saving me $$$$

MommyKnows · January 10, 2012 at 8:52 pm

@Tracy, You are so welcome! I love it too :)

Jaden · January 11, 2012 at 2:56 pm

This is awesome, I moved to the UK and can’t find French Vanilla creamer anywhere. You’ve rescued me from becoming a tea drinker. :)

Wendy · January 21, 2012 at 1:33 pm

Is sweetened condensed milk healthy? Do you make your own? Thanks.

Cindi @ Frugal New England Kitchen · January 22, 2012 at 10:47 am

Genius! Definitely going to try this – when I saw the sweetened condensed milk, it reminded me that many years ago I worked with a gal who used that in her coffee – before flavored creamers were popular (or even thought of!) Thanks!

Laura · June 25, 2012 at 12:19 pm

I just made this and it’s delicious! Great recipe – thanks for sharing :)

Terri@Frugal After Fifty · June 29, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Yum. Going to try this with coconut…………..

CyndeE Banister · September 5, 2012 at 2:05 am

I love that you called yourself a French Vanilla crack whore too! LOL….My daughters call me a crack whore because I’m always up before the crack of dawn! Thank you for the recipe!

Laurie · February 17, 2013 at 3:36 pm

I don’t know if anybody mentioned this but they also have fat free sweetened condensed milk.

Christine · March 2, 2014 at 8:38 pm

Does anyone know a way to make this diabetic friendly? Obviously the SCM would have to be swapped out, but I’m thinking that is an integral part of it, since it’s so thick and syrupy (ahh, where the yum comes from!) My honey has to watch his sugars though and the store bought stuff has so much “what the heck is that?!” in it.

Matt Renyard (@sc00by79) · June 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm

Hey

Thanks so much for posting this. As a Brit who feel in love with vanilla creamer on my last trip to the USA coming home and not being able to find it hit me hard!

Just mixed a batch so looking forward to trying it.

Kat · August 30, 2014 at 8:22 pm

Made mine with Fat Free milk and Fat Free sweetened condensed milk & 4 teaspoons vanilla!

dralanforce · September 30, 2014 at 8:59 pm

this question will sound stupid but, do you put the creamer after the coffee in a cup?? (I mean, after you do the cream how do I do the french vanilla coffee?)

    jessa · February 20, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    You pour it in just like you would milk. How much/ little depending on your tastes. I like a gallon of it and a pound of sugar in my vanilla boscotti folgers! ;)

nicolejrnelsonNicole · October 13, 2014 at 11:43 pm

How long does it last?

Louissa · November 29, 2014 at 7:32 pm

Yum! This is great and so easy. Thanks so much!

shellybartz · January 18, 2015 at 6:57 pm

Thank you so much! This was a perfect fix and I will never buy it again! :)

Michelle · March 22, 2015 at 3:41 am

I love this! I made it tonight and will try it tomorrow morning. Thanks KB!

Rachel Hulsey · March 28, 2015 at 11:56 am

Thank you for this! I woke up this morning with no creamer looked online clicked your link and had everything I needed in my cupboard. Now I can have my morning coffee❤️

Terri Wilson · October 2, 2015 at 4:47 pm

I just made that French Vanilla creamer for my coffee, but it doesn’t have that flavor that the French Vanilla has. It’s creamy and vanilla flavored, but there’s a difference. I read the about the difference in them. So, my question is… Is there Any way to get that Real French Vanilla flavor in a homemade coffee creamer?? Thanks! ☕

nonya biz · May 20, 2016 at 11:50 am

this was the nastiest thing I ever tasted!!!

Sara Garrick porch · August 9, 2016 at 11:15 pm

How about hazelnut creamer?

BrandiLynn · January 5, 2017 at 1:59 pm

I am the Queen of the crack whores when it comes to creamer! The other night I made my son stop at around 11 pm WITH HIS DATE so I’d have some for my morning fix. This morning I only had enough for hubby (he usually lets me have it but it’s raining, it’s 5 am and he’s off to work) sooooo I just made this it wasn’t sweet enough for me so I added a bit of sugar to my cup – I want hubby to taste test original recipe- I just had a thought! Karo syrup – my next cup for sure. Thank you for saving my day.

Courtney · January 12, 2017 at 5:05 pm

Can you use evaporated milk?

Leigh · August 27, 2017 at 2:19 pm

Do you know what the sugar content is per tablespoon? The Coffee-Mate French vanilla has quite a bit and I was wondering of this maybe had less

Seberina · April 9, 2018 at 12:19 pm

Was dying for a cup of coffee this morning, (I’m a little-bit-of-coffee-with-my-creamer kind of gal!) but we didn’t have any. (My husband likes the fancy, store-bought flavors.) I just so happened to have these 3 ingredients on hand, so I whipped it up! It did not disappoint! Thanks for sharing!

Lisa Wind · January 25, 2019 at 12:18 am

If I just want plain creamer, do I just leave out the vanilla?

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happy homemaker. | rmw · September 12, 2012 at 5:05 pm

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