This homemade coffee creamer recipe takes 5 minutes: whisk one 14 oz (397 g) can of sweetened condensed milk with 1½ cups (360 ml) of milk or half-and-half, then add flavor, such as 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Store it in a sealed jar in the fridge and shake before using. It makes about 3 cups, enough for roughly 20–25 coffees, and you control exactly what goes in.
Base creamer ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups (360 ml) whole milk, half-and-half or a mix (use half-and-half for a richer creamer)
- Flavoring (see the five flavors below)
You will also need a whisk or blender and a clean glass jar or bottle with a lid, about 24–32 oz (700 ml–1 L).
Homemade coffee creamer recipe: how to make the base
- Pour the condensed milk into a bowl or large jar.
- Add the milk or half-and-half and whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds. Or shake well in a sealed jar.
- Add your flavoring and whisk again.
- Taste and adjust. Add more milk for a lighter, less sweet creamer.
- Refrigerate in a sealed jar. Shake before each use.
Homemade coffee creamer in 5 flavors
1. Vanilla
Add 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, or the seeds of half a vanilla bean. For “French vanilla,” add a pinch of nutmeg and use half-and-half for a richer, custard-like taste.
2. Caramel
Whisk in 3–4 tablespoons of caramel sauce and ½ teaspoon of vanilla. Add a pinch of sea salt for salted caramel. Warming the caramel slightly helps it blend.
3. Hazelnut
Add 1–1½ teaspoons hazelnut extract and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Extracts vary in strength, so start small.
4. Mocha
Whisk 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder with a few tablespoons of warm milk into a paste first, then mix it into the base with 1 teaspoon vanilla. Shake well before each use, as cocoa settles.
5. Cinnamon dolce
Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cinnamon settles too, so shake before pouring. For a richer flavor, warm the milk with a cinnamon stick for 10 minutes, cool, then use it in the base.
Seasonal ideas: add pumpkin pie spice in autumn or a few drops of peppermint extract in winter. Our pumpkin spice latte and peppermint mocha recipes use similar flavors.
Dairy-free coffee creamer
- Use a can of sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of dairy condensed milk.
- Use barista-style oat milk, almond milk or canned light coconut milk instead of dairy milk.
- Flavor the same way.
Plant-based creamers can separate more; shake well and use within about 5–7 days.
Lower-sugar version
Skip the condensed milk and use 2 cups half-and-half or whole milk with 2–3 tablespoons of maple syrup, honey or your preferred sweetener, plus flavorings. It is thinner and less sweet, but still tastes much like store-bought.
How long does homemade creamer last?
Keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge and use it within about 7 days, or by the earliest date on your milk or half-and-half, whichever comes first. Smell it before using. Throw it out if it smells sour, has changed texture, or separates in a way that does not mix back with shaking.
Tips for the best creamer
- Use pure extracts rather than imitation flavorings for better taste.
- Make small batches so it stays fresh.
- Use a clean jar, washed in hot soapy water.
- Warm it slightly before adding to iced coffee if it is too thick, or thin it with a splash of milk.
- Start with less. Homemade creamer is sweet; 1–2 tablespoons per cup is usually enough.
Ways to use it
- Stir into hot drip or pour over coffee.
- Pour over iced coffee or cold brew. See our guide to the best iced coffee makers.
- Add to an Americano or latte for a flavored drink. See what is an Americano.
- Froth it with a little milk for a flavored foam topping.
- Use the caramel or mocha version in coffee cocktails, such as our Baileys espresso martini.
FAQ
How do you make coffee creamer at home?
Whisk a can of sweetened condensed milk with 1½ cups of milk or half-and-half, add a flavor such as vanilla extract, and refrigerate in a sealed jar.
Can I make creamer without condensed milk?
Yes. Use half-and-half or milk sweetened with maple syrup, honey or sugar, plus your flavorings.
Why does my homemade creamer separate?
Natural ingredients like cocoa and cinnamon settle, and plant milks separate. Shake well before each use.
Can I freeze homemade coffee creamer?
You can freeze it in ice cube trays for iced coffee, but texture may change once thawed. Use frozen cubes within a month or two.
Is homemade creamer healthier than store-bought?
It contains fewer additives and you control the sugar, but versions made with condensed milk are still high in sugar. Use small amounts or try the lower-sugar version.
