If you're an iced coffee lover, this copycat recipe for Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam is just what you need! It’s a simple reipe to get that sweet vanilla flavor and creamy foam at home, so you can enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks without the trip to the coffee shop.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- What is Starbucks Sweet Cream Cold Foam?
- How to Use Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- Sweet Cream Ingredients
- Can I Make This Dairy-Free?
- Flavor Variations: How to Switch It Up!
- Equipment
- How To Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- How to Store Cold Foam
- Top Recipe Tips
- More Starbucks Copycat Recipes You'll Love!
- Recipe FAQs
- Recipe
- Comments and Ratings
Why You'll Love Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- This is an easy Starbucks copycat recipe that will save you money!
- Made with simple ingredients that are easy to find.
- Adds a velvety texture to a variety of cold coffee drinks.
- Another great way to make your favorite iced coffee drink right at home!
What is Starbucks Sweet Cream Cold Foam?
Starbucks' sweet cream cold foam is a lightly whipped, creamy topping made from their popular vanilla sweet cream; a blend of vanilla syrup, heavy cream, and milk.
This light and airy topping is used on cold beverages like cold brew coffee, iced lattes, and iced coffee, adding a silky, slightly sweet layer that blends smoothly without the thickness of whipped cream.
How to Use Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Add vanilla sweet cream cold foam to your iced espresso drink for a hint of sweetness and a creamy texture. Here are a few suggestions of other drinks that pair well with sweet cream foam:
- Iced Coffee or Cold Brew
- Iced Lattes
- Iced Shaken Espressos or Brown Sugar Shaken Espressos
- Iced Chai Latte or Matcha Latte
- Iced Mochas or Vanilla Frappes
- Homemade Pink Drink
Sweet Cream Ingredients
- Heavy Cream: May also be labeled as heavy whipping cream or whipping cream.
- 2% milk: May use whole milk, skim milk, or non-fat milk if you prefer.
- Vanilla simple syrup: I have a recipe for a homemade vanilla syrup, which is a mixture of sugar, water, and vanilla extract. You can use store-bought if you prefer.
*Refer to the recipe card for full ingredient information.
Can I Make This Dairy-Free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, use the suggested non-dairy substitutes listed below! Choose your options based on the flavors you prefer.
For the milk: Use oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Oat milk is the creamiest while soy milk has superior frothing capabilities.
For the cream: Use a plant based cream, such as silk heavy whipping cream alternative or country crock plant cream. Coconut cream or cashew cream are also good options.
Flavor Variations: How to Switch It Up!
To change up the flavor of your cold foam, simply swap out the vanilla syrup for your desired flavor! Here's some suggestions:
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam: Swap Starbucks pumpkin sauce. (P.S. I have a whole recipe dedicated to pumpkin cream cold foam!) Use it to make this DIY Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew recipe!
- Brown Sugar: Swap brown sugar syrup.
- Apple Cream: Swap apple brown sugar syrup.
- Salted Caramel Cream Cold Foam: Swap salted caramel syrup.
Equipment
- Handheld Milk Frother: You need some sort of milk frother for this recipe. A handheld frother works exceptionally well and you can usually pick one up for around 10 bucks!
- Electric Milk Frother: An electric frother will work wonderfully as well, be sure yours has a cold foam setting.
- Espresso Machine: If you're in the market for an espresso machine, I highly recommend the Breville Barista Express! It's a great espresso machine, especially for beginners and the casual home barista. I use mine daily!
If you don't have a frother, there are a few alternative methods to froth cold foam:
- French Press: Pour the sweet cream mixture into the French press, then pump the plunger up and down quickly. The press will create foam as it forces air into the liquid.
- Blender: Use a standard blender or an immersion blender. Blend on low speed for a few seconds until the mixture is light and frothy.
- Whisk: You can whisk the mixture by hand in a bowl. It takes a bit more effort and time, but with a brisk, consistent motion, you'll get a nice froth.
- Jar Shaking Method: Pour your sweet cream mixture into a mason jar, fill it halfway, and screw the lid on tightly. Shake the jar vigorously for 30-60 seconds until the mixture becomes frothy.
How To Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
- First things first, make the vanilla sweet cream recipe! This is simply heavy cream, milk, and vanilla syrup stirred together. You can even use this mixture as is– like coffee creamer if you should choose.
- In order to turn your sweet cream into cold foam, the process is simple! Take your desired amount and froth it slightly! Froth just until the mixture is thick, foamy, and still pourable. Don't go too long or you will end up with whipped cream.
- Now pour that creamy goodness over your desired drink, sip, and enjoy!
How to Store Cold Foam
For storage, place any unused sweet cream in an airtight container. Store the sweet cream un-frothed, as the mixture will deflate the longer it sits.
Store the vanilla sweet cream in the refrigerator for about 1 week, or as long as the milk and cream are fresh.
Check the expiration dates on your original containers of milk and cream to determine the best date to use your vanilla sweet cream by.
Top Recipe Tips
- Chill the Ingredients: For the best foam, start with cold milk and cream.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more or less vanilla syrup, depending on how sweet you like your cold foam.
- Use a Frother: A handheld frother works best for achieving that perfect, airy foam, but if you don’t have one, try some of the other methods listed above.
- Don’t Over-froth: Stop frothing once the foam is light and creamy; over-frothing can lead to whipped cream!
- Make It Ahead: Prepare the vanilla sweet cream mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. Froth it just before using.
- Experiment with Flavors: While vanilla is classic, you can try different syrups, like caramel or hazelnut, for a fun twist on the original recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Vanilla sweet cream and vanilla sweet cream cold foam are essentially the same, with one key difference: cold foam is frothed using an electric frother, creating a thicker foam consistency that floats on top of drinks rather than blending in like traditional creamer.
Vanilla sweet cream cold foam is a light, frothy topping made from vanilla syrup, heavy cream, and milk, designed to sit on top of cold drinks like iced coffee or cold brew. It's more liquid and pourable, designed to sit on top of your drink without fully mixing in, creating a creamy layer. In contrast, whipped cream is thicker, fluffier, and holds its shape, making it ideal for topping desserts and hot beverages. While both add creaminess, cold foam is lighter and meant for cold drinks, whereas whipped cream is denser and often used for a more prominent, decorative topping.
No, sweet cream cold foam is not the same as whipped cream. While both are made from heavy cream, the difference lies in the texture and how each is used in beverages and desserts. Sweet cream cold foam is blended to create a lighter, frothier texture that's more pourable and designed to sit on top of cold drinks. Whipped cream, on the other hand, is whipped until it becomes thick and fluffy, holding its shape as a more solid topping.
Starbucks' sweet cream cold foam is generally considered gluten-free. It's made from heavy cream, vanilla syrup, and milk, none of which contain gluten. However, since they use a shared blender with gluten-containing items, like chocolate malt powder found in the chocolate cream cold foam, cross-contamination can occur. If you have celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, inform the barista and confirm that the blender will be cleaned before making your drink. Check out my gluten-free Starbucks dining guide for more information!
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Recipe
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Equipment
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 mason jar
- 1 handheld milk frother
Ingredients
Vanilla Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Vanilla Sweet Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅔ cup 2% milk
- ⅓ cup vanilla simple syrup
Instructions
Vanilla Syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
Vanilla Sweet Cream
- Measure and combine the heavy cream, milk, and vanilla syrup in a 2 cup measuring glass.
- Stir to combine.
Cold Foam
- Pour about ¼ cup of the prepared vanilla sweet cream into a mason jar.
- Insert the frother into the mason jar and froth the mixture until it becomes light and airy, about 20-30 seconds.
- Immediately pour the cold foam over your iced coffee or cold brew, letting it create a creamy, frothy layer on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage
Store any unused vanilla sweet cream in the refrigerator for about 1 week, or as long as the milk and cream are fresh. Check your original containers of milk and cream to determine the date of expiration. Froth it fresh when needed.Nutrition
* Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should be used as an estimate only. See the nutrition policy for more information.
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