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Bring the coffee house flavor home with my Homemade Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee Creamer. It’s so simple, will save you money and make ahead (and freezable) too!
Why This Recipe Works
I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was in my mid-thirties at a girls weekend but from that point on I was hooked. However, I didn’t like the price tag of coffee house beverages, so I started experimenting making my creamers at home.
I can make this creamer for pennies compared to that coffee house version which saves me money to spend elsewhere. Plus, it’s made with all natural ingredients.
This this coffee creamer with hints of vanilla and cinnamon was one of the first I made at home and is still an all-time favorite to this day.
I always joke that I like my creamer with a dash of coffee. That may be a bit of an exaggeration but what I love about this homemade creamer is that it is so simple but full of flavor! Use as little or as much as you like but truth be told, it doesn’t take much.
A couple of other favorites are my Homemade Peppermint Mocha Creamer and All-Natural Pumpkin Spice Creamer.
How Easy Is It To Make Homemade Coffee Creamer?
Since there are only four ingredients in this creamer, it’s super simple to mix up. I like that I can find all the ingredients at the grocery store. I’ll often choose store brand ingredients so I can save even more money.
One of the easiest ways to make it is to use a large mason jar (affiliate link) with an airtight plastic storage cap (affiliate link). I just pour all the ingredients into the jar and shake it up until everything is blended.
To measure out just the right amount, I use the mini-measuring cup (affiliate link) that I just love! I use it far more than I ever thought I would. I like two ounces of creamer to 12 ounces of black coffee.
The great thing about storing it in a mason jar (3) is that you can pour out just what you want into your coffee and keep the remaining mixture in the refrigerator. I always label (affiliate link) and date it so that my family knows what it is too. Store it for up to a week, if it lasts that long!
Oftentimes, I’ll make the homemade creamer in the blender instead (1). I add all the ingredients to the blender jar (2), then blend it for just a minute or two. The mixture will have more bubbles but that’s ok as they will disappear when you mix the creamer into your coffee.
Since the ingredients can settle over time, you’ll want to remix it each time you use some. I like to use a mini-whisk (affiliate link) because it is the perfect size to fit into the jar and blend there.
Make Ahead and Freezer Friendly Coffee Creamer
This recipe is naturally make-ahead and will store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Sometimes I’ll make a double batch and freeze the extra.
How to Freeze Coffee Creamer
I like to use reusable silicone baking cups (affiliate link) to freeze the extra creamer (4) because I can measure out just the amount I want into each cup. I’ll freeze the cups of creamer and when they’re solid, I pop them out into a reusable storage bag (affiliate link) and label (affiliate link).
Note that when you’re popping the creamer out of the silicone cups, it will start to melt pretty fast. So work quickly! Have your labeled bag ready to go and then move it to the freezer as soon as you can.
When my cup of coffee is ready, I pull out one creamer cup and plop it into my coffee, stir and I’m good to go.
More Homemade Beverage Ideas
I love a good warm beverage and am always looking for ways to make my favorite coffee house versions at home. From Warm Oatmeal Cookie Hot Cocoa to Chai Latte to Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa, I’ve got you covered.
Be sure to check my Hot & Cold Beverage Recipes for even more recipe ideas like a delicious Peach Pie Smoothie or a refreshing Watermelon Lemonade any time of year!
Homemade Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee Creamer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk I used the fat-free variety
- 1 ½ cups milk I use 1% but feel free to substitute almond, oat, soy milks, etc.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In large jar or blender jar, add all ingredients.
- Whisk together or add lid and vigorously shake together until well blended.
- If using a blender, cover and blend on medium high for about one minute, until well blended.
- Store in glass storage container in refrigerator for up to a week. Or freeze for longer storage (seen notes for details).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in May 2012 then updated in November 2015 with new photos. Updated again in April 2020 with new photos, updated post text and a video.
Star Traci
This is easy enough for me which is REALLY saying something! I love the idea of freezing them into heart shapes.
🙂
Traci
Letty
I think you are my new hero.
Lacey
I’m going to try this, tomorrow!!
*followed you here from Texas Bloggers 🙂
Julie
I highly recommend this recipe. It is bursting with flavor and it is so easy to prepare. Pennies on the dollar for REAL ingredients. Store bought creamers can be essentially junk!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
I’m so glad you liked it Julie! I need to make up a new batch myself!
shelby
I really need to just make my own coffee creamer! I love your idea to freeze it!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Shelby, once you start making your own, you will probably never go back to the premade stuff! It just tastes so much better to me and yep, I’m all about making it ahead and having it handy in the freezer ready to go for my morning cup of joe! 🙂
Karen
I don’t like milk in my coffee, I prefer half-and-half. Can you substitute half-and-half for the milk in this recipe?
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Karen, you sure can substitute half-and-half in this recipe! I just used milk to reduce the calories.
Kurtis Vaughn
Would using cinnamon extract instead of cinnamon powder work, or would it change the flavor too much? Just trying to avoid the powder making it to the bottom of cup and being sucked up by the straw.
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Hi Kurtis! I have never tried that but it might work! The only thing is that the extract is a lot stronger so you would need to reduce the amount. I have never had a problem with the cinnamon going to the bottom though as the ratio of it (1/2 teaspoon) to all the liquid in the milks distributes it pretty well. As long as you shake or stir the creamer before using it each time, you should be fine. If you try the extract, let me know how you like it!
Kat
Love this….thanks for sharing! Cinnamon candies work well as the flavoring, too…melt in the cream or milk…nyom! I love your little freezer cubes…but doesn’t it make your coffee too cold? I drink coffee like it is a lifeline…so would not need to freeze. LOL
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Glad you liked it! The cubes don’t really make the coffee too cold….since the coffee just brewed is often too hot for me to drink right away, it cools it down just enough actually. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try!
valerie jahnke
I too w/o dared if the cubes would make coffee too cold…how about putting it in the cup while waiting for coffee to brew and it will maybe start melting …just saying
I am excited to try this since I am having a hard time finding it in the store…
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
I hope you give it a try either way! I would love to know what you think. Cheers!
Nancy
Made this last night. Very good will make again. Used my blender to mix it.
Brenda Thompson
I’m so glad you liked it Nancy! Thanks for leaving a comment–I really appreciate the feedback so much. I just made a batch last week–still one of our favorites!
SHARYN
I just ran out of my favorite cinnamon vanilla creamer. So I am thinking its the right time to try your coffee creamer recipe. Just a few Ingredients and looks fast and easy to make. So I have now just made it, poured creamer in to my coffee and sitting at my laptop to give you my honest review. I am now taking a drink of coffee, To tell you the honest to god truth, its not very good. I was so hoping for this to be good so I could replace my expensive creamer. I go thru about 1 or more a week. For people who do not use as much coffee creamer on a everyday basis as I do, they probably will think this is ok. They would be right it is just ok but not good
Brenda Thompson
Thank you Sharyn for your feedback! I’m sorry you didn’t care for the creamer as much as you had hoped. Based on comments from others, many do like it so sometimes it does just come down to taste preferences. I’d be happy to try and trouble shoot with you on what it was that you didn’t like….perhaps I can make some suggestions on how to boost the flavor to your liking. Feel free to comment here again or email me at [email protected]
SHARYN BAY
I am a big coffee drinker, I mean big. I spend a lot of money on my favorite cream, cinnamon vanilla cream. Only one store in my town carries it. I get very mad when they run out of it. All other commercial flavors it HATE. I was really happy to try your recipe. Sorry it was a flop for me. I am looking for a really really good copy cat recipe, that taste like the real thing.
Jennifer Ramey
I used 5 drops of cinnamon oil.. and added an extra cup of milk .. this is my husband’s favorite creamer… even better than Starbucks brand…
Brenda Thompson
Thank you for the feedback Jennifer! That’s a great idea to use cinnamon oil to boost that flavor..I will have to give it a try, too! I’m glad to hear your husband loves it!
Carol p
Looks delicious cannot wait to try it! Is the 2 0z serving for one really 180 calories? That’s seems like an awful lot of calories! I know you mention using fat free options so what am I missing? Am I seeing the calorie or serving wrong g?
Brenda Thompson
Hi Carol! Oh gosh! You caught my mistake and it is supposed to be 2 tablespoons per serving not 2 ounces! I’ve updated the recipe to make that change and recalculated the nutrition facts so it should make a little more sense now. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Carly
This recipe is absolutely delicious! I did double the cinnamon to a heaping teaspoon because I like a heavier cinnamon flavor but still. It’s been increasingly difficult to find cinnamon creamer at stores so I’m super happy to have found this recipe! Thank you!!
Brenda Thompson
Thanks for your comment Carly and I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I need to make a new batch myself! 🙂
Morgan
Been making this regularly for over a year. Delicious alternative to store bought coffee creamer.
Brenda Thompson
Thanks for your feedback Morgan–I’m so glad you like it! I need to make a new batch myself as it’s been awhile since I’ve made it. I love that it’s just so simple!
Charlene
Fabulous!! Great alternative for store bought creamer. I added 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon instead of 1/2 teaspoon, since I Love Cinnamon. Thank you!
Brenda Thompson
Thanks so much for your kind words, Charlene! I may have to try upping the amount of cinnamon too as that extra burst of flavor sounds delicious!