Vanilla sweet cream cold foam coffee is a popular item at Starbucks these days. With my copycat recipe, you can now make it at home in just seconds, whether you enjoy this sweet topping on iced coffee, cold brew, or even a regular cup o' joe.
Jump to:
Admittedly, I'm one of those people who likes extra whipped cream on just about everything. Well, sweet cream cold foam is just a more grown-up version of that. I don't know about you, but I always feel like a 5-year-old asking for extra whipped cream. 😂
And Lord knows I love sweet treats, even for breakfast. Take my tiramisu overnight oats for example. Breakfast for dessert? Uh, yeah! Or maybe some coffee bean cookies, cinnamon roll donuts, or nutella babka? I'm there.
And coffee, well that's a staple for just about everyone on the planet. But why drive through traffic to get to Starbucks, wait in a long line, and then pay several dollars for coffee when you can make your own vanilla sweet cream cold foam at home in about 30 seconds? Or maybe you're craving a salted caramel cream cold brew?
It's super simple. And you won't need any fancy equipment either! Oh, and if you prefer non-dairy options, I've got you covered there too. Keep reading...
🧾 Ingredients
With just four simple ingredients, you'll be ready to make your own sweet cream cold foam at home:
- Heavy cream - Heavy cream (aka heavy whipping cream) is the base for whipped cream and this foamy topper to your morning coffee.
- Milk - Non-fat or low-fat milk is what's most often used for making cold foam. You can certainly substitute whole milk or a dairy free option, and although they may not foam up as much as non-fat or low-fat milk, they're still absolutely delicious.
- Powdered sugar - I chose to use powdered sugar in my sweet cream cold foam recipe for two reasons: 1) That's what Starbucks uses and 2) Powdered sugar lends to an even smoother texture. If you prefer to use regular granulated sugar, however, just use a little less.
- Vanilla extract - Vanilla is a staple in whipped cream and sweet cream cold foam, adding just a hit of vanilla flavor and sweetness.
See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients and their measurements.
🥄 Equipment
I promised no fancy equipment and I meant it. You can use a variety of methods to make sweet cream cold foam. Whether you have a milk frother, regular blender, immersion blender, french press, whisk, or even just a jar with a lid, you're all set.
✨ What is cold foam?
Regular cold foam only uses milk (no heavy cream). Sweet cream cold foam, however, is simply a thinner version of whipped cream with the addition of milk. And it's called cold foam due the fact that there is no heat or steam involved in making it.
☕ How to make sweet cream cold foam
Simply add all ingredients together and mix until it's fluffy, a bit frothy, and reaches a texture similar to melted ice cream.
I used an immersion blender and found that it whipped up in about 30 seconds. But you can also add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk it. Or mix in a blender. Or pump in a french press until frothy and thick. Or just place all ingredients in a jar, close the lid, and shake, shake, shake!
To serve, pour your favorite coffee into a mug, making sure to leave some extra room at the top. Then, just pour or spoon the cold foam over your coffee and enjoy. Seriously, that's it!
📖 Variations
- Coffee and Tea - While sweet cream cold foam is most often used on cold coffees, why not try it with all your coffee drinks, whether cold or hot. But it's not just limited to coffee, this cold foam is also delicious in tea.
- Flavors - Mix it up a bit and add a sprinkle of cocoa, or a drizzle of caramel syrup, mix a splash of your favorite flavored creamer into the foam, or sprinkle a little cinnamon on top. You're only limited by your imagination and taste buds. Check out my salted caramel cream cold brew!
🥛 Substitutions
- Milk - You can certainly substitute any type of milk your heart desires. For non-dairy or vegan options, use plant-based milks (like almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc) and coconut cream.
- Heavy cream - For a lower calorie and lower fat option, evaporated milk or half-and-half can be used in place of heavy cream.
- Sugar - Regular granulated sugar can be used in place of powdered sugar, just use a little less. About half a tablespoon of regular sugar is equal to 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar. You can also add just a touch of brown sugar for a sweet hint of molasses.
👉 Sweet cream vs cold foam
Sweet cream is made with the same ingredients of cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla, and is simply mixed with a spoon and added to coffee as a creamer. Cold foam is blended and frothed to thicken it, so that it floats on top of your coffee.
Also, regular cold foam only uses frothed milk (no cream). So, sweet cream cold foam is the best of both worlds!
❓ FAQ
Whipped cream is made with heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla, and is typically whisked until it reaches stiff peaks (to maintain its shape). Sweet cream cold foam is made using the same ingredients plus the addition of milk and is not whipped as much, resulting in a still creamy but thinner texture.
It should be similar in texture to melted ice cream. If you prefer it thicker, mix for a longer period of time. If you want it more pourable, mix it less. Easy peasy.
You can certainly stir the ingredients together ahead of time, place in the fridge for up to 5 days, and then blend/froth/whisk/shake together in the morning while your coffee is brewing.
Do you love delicious breakfasts as much as I do? Check out a few more of my recipes now!
- Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
- Coffee Bean Cookies
- Tiramisu Overnight Oats
- Single Serve Baked Oatmeal - 5 Ways!
- Peach Mango Turnovers
- Lemon Blackberry Bread with Lemon Glaze
- Bacon-Apple-Pecan Stuffed French Toast
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
- How To Make Croissants (and Pain au Chocolat!)
- Good Old Fashioned Pancakes
- Nutella Babka
- Sour Cream Coffee Cake
- Crispy Buttery Hash Browns
Did you make this Sweet Cream Cold Foam Coffee? Let us know in the comments below!
📝 Recipe
Sweet Cream Cold Foam Coffee
Ingredients
- 16 ounces coffee
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Simply add all ingredients together and mix until it's fluffy, a bit frothy, and reaches a texture similar to melted ice cream.
- I used an immersion blender and found that it whipped up in about 30 seconds. But you can also mix all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk it. Or mix in a blender. Or pump in a french press until frothy and thick. Or just place all ingredients in a jar, close the lid, and shake, shake, shake!
- Pour your favorite coffee into a mug, making sure to leave some extra room at the top. Then, just pour or spoon the cold foam over your coffee and enjoy!
Notes
-
Ingredient substitutions
- Milk - Non-fat or low-fat milk is what's most often used for making cold foam. You can certainly substitute whole milk or a dairy free option, and although they may not foam up as much as non-fat or low-fat milk, they're still absolutely delicious. You can certainly substitute any type of milk your heart desires. For non-dairy or vegan options, use plant-based milks (like almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, etc) and coconut cream.
- Heavy cream - For a lower calorie and lower fat option, evaporated milk or half-and-half can be used in place of heavy cream.
- Sugar - Regular granulated sugar can be used in place of powdered sugar, just use a little less. About half a tablespoon of regular sugar is equal to 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar. You can also add just a touch of brown sugar for a sweet hint of molasses.
-
Variations
- Coffee and Tea - While sweet cream cold foam is most often used on cold coffees, why not try it with all your coffee drinks, whether cold or hot. But it's not just limited to coffee, this cold foam is also delicious in tea.
- Flavors - Mix it up a bit and add a sprinkle of cocoa, or a drizzle of caramel syrup, mix a splash of your favorite flavored creamer into the foam, or sprinkle a little cinnamon on top. You're only limited by your imagination and taste buds. Check out my salted caramel cream cold brew!
- How thick should the cold foam be? It should be similar in texture to melted ice cream. If you prefer it thicker, mix for a longer period of time. If you want it more pourable, mix it less. Easy peasy.
- Can I make this ahead of time? You can certainly stir the ingredients together ahead of time, place in the fridge for up to 5 days, and then blend/froth/whisk/shake together in the morning while your coffee is brewing.
- Suggestion: If you enjoyed this, then you're gonna love my salted caramel cream cold brew!
Renee
I just made this today and it was so delicious! You just saved me so much money with not having to go to starbucks on the way to work, thanks!
maplewoodroad
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂