How to Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam (Better Than Starbucks)

Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by brewthatcoffee

Let’s face it; many of us are addicted and want to learn how to make Starbucks’ Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam. Fortunately, it can be made easily and quickly!

Sipping a venti iced brew on a hot day is fantastic. It’s cold, refreshing, and delicious, made more so by the fluffy cloud of creamy magic on top.

Starbucks’ vanilla sweet cream cold foam is fabulous. What if I told you that it’s easy to make? Let’s explore how you can make vanilla sweet cream cold foam at home, even better than Starbucks.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam is a topping for iced beverages developed by Starbucks. You make it with heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup mixed into an airy froth. Sweet cream cold foam is lighter than cream and richer than cold foam, forming a layered, creamy beverage.

Making your own vanilla sweet cream cold foam in your kitchen is quick and simple once you have the equipment and ingredients. You can then start experimenting with different flavors, like caramel or butterscotch. How do you make vanilla sweet cream cold foam?

How to Make Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

There are many recipes for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, including those from Starbucks baristas and wannabees who think they can improve on the original recipe.

The recipe below will create a perfect single serving of vanilla sweet cream cold foam. It is creamy, cloudy, and so utterly delicious that you’ll make jars of it and spoon it onto hot and cold beverages alike.

Equipment

• A tall glass jug, carafe, or mason jar
• A milk frother
• Measuring cups and spoons

You might have fancy mixing devices in your kitchen that you’ll want to bring out: a hand mixer, an immersion blender, or a food processor. None of these will create the foam you’re looking for.

If you have a nitrous oxide dispenser for whipped cream, you’re welcome to use that.

Rest assured that you don’t need any of these – in fact, you can go really old-school and use a French press or hand whisk. You can even use a mason jar, shaking it as if making cream from butter. These are possible but labor-intensive approaches.

An electric milk frother is recommended because it is the most effective frothing device. Just take care not to overwhip the mixture and cause it to split.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup heavy cream, chilled
• ½ cup 2% milk, chilled
• 1-2 tablespoon vanilla syrup or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional:  1 tablespoon powdered sugar​ or sugar-free sweetener
• To serve: Coffee of your choice

Let’s take a closer look at these ingredients and if there are any alternatives you can use.

Heavy Cream

Without heavy cream, the topping will be cold foam, so you need these luscious, rich ingredients. If you’re worried about fat, try evaporated milk. Note that your cream must be well chilled, or it won’t whip successfully.

Milk

The lower the fat content, the better the milk froths, so non-fat milk is the ideal foam maker. However, this creamy mixture needs all the creaminess it can get, so 2% milk is perfect.

Use whole milk if you prefer. You can also use the non-dairy milk of your choice. Ensure that your milk is chilled, or your foam will fall flat.

Vanilla Syrup

Vanilla syrup is a delicious flavoring to have on hand if you’re a home barista. Many brands are available, but it is easy to whip some up yourself. If you don’t have vanilla syrup, you can use vanilla extract, but you won’t get the same depth of flavor. You can also replace the vanilla flavoring with your favorite coffee syrup: chocolate and caramel work well.

Instructions

1. Make your coffee and set it aside to cool, with ice, if desired.

2. Pour the chilled heavy cream, milk, and vanilla syrup into your jug. Add sugar.

3. Stir gently to combine.

4. Froth the cream mixture using your preferred device or method. Frothing will take 30-60 seconds while shaking the liquid in a jar will take a couple of minutes. The liquid should double in volume and become foamy and velvety.

5. Top your coffee with the creamy mixture.

Ways to Use Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

The best use of vanilla sweet cream cold foam is a topping for an iced beverage, such as an espresso or latte. The foam will gently descend into the coffee and create beautiful layers, leaving a creamy topping.

You can also top hot beverages with vanilla sweet cream cold foam, but it will start to melt. Stir the cream into your hot coffee, tea, or chocolate.

Think of vanilla sweet cream cold foam as whipped cream and serve it with desserts.

A third way to use this delicious sweet foam is on tea-based drinks like a chai tea latte. Yum!

Making Your Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam Better Than Starbucks

Starbucks’ vanilla sweet cream cold foam is so delicious because they use high-quality vanilla syrup for flavoring. Although it’s convenient to buy vanilla syrup, making your own is simple and tastes better than any commercially produced brand.

Make Your Own Vanilla Syrup (Recipe)

The first step to making vanilla syrup is making a simple homemade syrup. You can then flavor it in different ways.

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Sharp vegetable knife
• Measuring cups
• Wooden spoon

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 vanilla pod (or 1 ½ tablespoons of vanilla extract)

Instructions

1. Slice the vanilla pod open along its length.

2. Put the sugar, water, and open vanilla bean in the saucepan over medium heat. (Do not add the vanilla extract if using.)

3. Bring the mixture to a boil.

4. Reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes.

5. Set the syrup aside to cool.

6. Once the syrup is cool enough to handle, strain it through a fine mesh to remove the vanilla pod.

7. If you’re using vanilla extract, add it to the cooled syrup.

Change the Flavor From Vanilla to Something Else

Making plain sugar syrup gives you to chance to get creative. Replace the vanilla pod with another flavoring or extract.

Here are some ideas to change the flavor of your syrup from vanilla.

• Almond syrup: Add 1 teaspoon almond extract to the cooled syrup.
• Brown sugar syrup: Use brown sugar to make the syrup, which gives it a delicious caramel flavor.
• Cinnamon syrup: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to brown sugar syrup before heating. You could also use a stick of cinnamon and strain it out after cooling the syrup.
• Chocolate syrup: Add 1 cup cocoa powder to the water and sugar before boiling. Keep the vanilla flavor as well as an undertone.
• Pumpkin spice syrup: Make the simple sugar syrup. Once it has boiled, add ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, ⅔ cup pumpkin puree, and 1½ cups sweetened condensed milk. Stir over low heat for a couple of minutes.

Difference Between Vanilla Sweet Cream Vs. Cold Foam

It can get very confusing when baristas are throwing around terms for toppings. What are the differences between these foamy creations?

Vanilla Sweet Cream

Vanilla sweet cream is a thick, pourable liquid creamer that gives hot beverages a velvety richness. It comprises heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup, with the option of condensed milk as well. The mixture is stirred together, and no frothing or foam is involved.

Cold Foam

Cold foam is frothed milk, sometimes flavored and sweetened. It is different from steamed milk that you get on cappuccinos or lattes because it is frothed cold, not hot.

Starbucks developed cold foam specifically for cold beverages, as steamed milk would melt into a cold drink. Cold foam will slowly settle into your drink but leaves a sweet crema.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

Vanilla sweet cream cold foam combines sweet cream with cold foam to create a rich, bubbly addition to hot and cold beverages. You can use it as a topping instead of whipped cream, cold foam, or creamer.

Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam FAQs

Conclusion

If you love vanilla sweet cream cold foam on your morning coffee or afternoon chocolate, you can save money by making it in your kitchen.

Froth heavy cream, milk, and vanilla together and dollop it onto your beverage. You can even make your own flavored syrups using sugar, water, and spices from your pantry.

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References

https://athome.starbucks.com/recipe/ao-july-aug21/vanilla-sweet-cream-cold-foam
https://www.bhg.com/recipes/drinks/coffee/how-to-make-cold-foam/
https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2018/introducing-cold-foam-at-starbucks/