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This homemade vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe comes together in under 5 minutes with 3 ingredients you probably already have. It tastes exactly like the Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam you know and love, and once you learn how to make vanilla cold foam at home, you’ll never pay for it again.
Since you are here you have to take a look at this Pumpkin cold brew with pumpkin cream, salted cream cold brew, as well as this Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew.
Table of Contents
- This is the best Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe
- What is vanilla cold foam?
- What is vanilla sweet cream cold foam?
- What is the difference between vanilla cold foam and vanilla sweet cream cold foam?
- Why you need to make this recipe!
- Ingredients for this copycat Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe.
- Can I make this dairy-free?
- How to make vanilla sweet cream cold foam at home
- Frequently asked questions about vanilla sweet cream cold foam
- Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam Recipe
This is the best Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe
The first time I recreated this at home I genuinely could not believe it worked. I had been paying for cold foam as a drink add-on for months before I realized I was basically frothing three ingredients I keep in my fridge anyway. Now I make a little extra and keep the unfrothed mixture in the fridge all week.
Before we get into the recipe, let me break down the terminology because there is actually a difference between these, and understanding it will make you a better home barista.
What is vanilla cold foam?
Vanilla cold foam is a chilled, lightly frothed topping made from nonfat or low-fat milk and vanilla syrup. It is lighter and airier than sweet cream cold foam because it uses less or no heavy cream. Starbucks originally made their cold foam this way, with nonfat milk only.
What is vanilla sweet cream cold foam?
Vanilla sweet cream cold foam takes it a step further. It combines heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup, which gives it that thick, velvety, cloud-like texture. Because there is cream involved, it pours more slowly over your drink and creates that beautiful layered effect. This is the recipe we are making today.
What is the difference between vanilla cold foam and vanilla sweet cream cold foam?
The short answer is fat content. Vanilla cold foam is lighter and uses mostly milk. Vanilla sweet cream cold foam uses heavy cream, which makes it richer, thicker, and slower to dissolve into your drink. Both are delicious, but if you want that luxurious Starbucks-style topping, sweet cream cold foam is the one.
Why you need to make this recipe!
- Cost savings. Starbucks charges $1 or more to add cold foam to any drink. This homemade vanilla cold foam recipe costs pennies per serving.
- It takes 5 minutes. Literally less time than waiting in the drive-through line.
- You control the sweetness. Want it less sweet? Use 1 tablespoon of syrup. Want it super sweet? Go to 2. The Starbucks version is not adjustable once you order it.
- It works on everything. Cold brew, iced lattes, iced matcha, refreshers, even iced tea. Once you have this in your fridge, you will put it on everything.
Ingredients for this copycat Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam recipe.
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this sweet cream cold brew cold foam. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Heavy cream: This is what gives the cold foam its rich, thick texture. Use heavy whipping cream straight from the fridge. Cold cream froths faster and holds its texture better.
- 2% milk: Starbucks uses 2% milk in their vanilla sweet cream cold foam. You can substitute whole milk for an even richer result, or 1% if you prefer something lighter.
- Vanilla syrup: Store-bought vanilla syrup (Torani or Monin both work great) makes this incredibly convenient. You can also use homemade vanilla simple syrup. Start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
Substitutions
Here are a few fun substitutions you can use in this recipe:
- If you don’t have vanilla syrup feel free to use vanilla bean paste with simple syrup to mimic the vanilla flavor and sweetness from the vanilla syrup.
- Feel free to use maple syrup and vanilla bean paste as well to sweeten your sweet cream cold foam.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! For a dairy-free vanilla cold foam, use barista-style oat milk in place of both the heavy cream and the 2% milk. Barista-style oat milk is specifically formulated to froth, so it gives you the best results. Regular oat milk can work but the foam will be thinner. Use 1/2 cup of barista oat milk and froth with your handheld frother until doubled in size.
How to make vanilla sweet cream cold foam at home
This is how you can make this simple sweet cream cold foam recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- Combine your ingredients. Add the heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup to a jar or tall glass. Everything should be cold straight from the fridge.
- Froth until thick and creamy. Use a handheld milk frother and froth for 30 to 60 seconds. You are looking for a thick, pourable consistency, not stiff whipped cream. Stop as soon as it coats the back of a spoon and looks silky.
- Pour and enjoy. Spoon or pour your vanilla cold foam over your iced drink of choice. Aim for about 1/3 cup per serving. Sip without a straw first so you get that cold foam in every sip.
Pro tip: Do not over-froth. This is the most common mistake. If you keep going past the silky stage you end up with whipped cream, which will sit on top of your drink instead of slowly melting into it.
If you love chocolate coffee drinks, you’ll also enjoy this homemade iced mocha recipe.
Frequently asked questions about vanilla sweet cream cold foam
Starbucks makes their vanilla sweet cream cold foam by combining heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup, then frothing the mixture until thick and velvety. They use a specialty blender designed specifically for cold foam, but a handheld milk frother gives you the same result at home.
You have a few good options. A French press works really well: add your ingredients and pump the handle up and down vigorously for about 60 to 90 seconds until foamy. A mason jar also works: seal the lid tightly and shake hard for 1 to 2 minutes. You can also use an immersion blender on low for about 20 seconds. The frother is the fastest and most consistent method, but it is not required.
You over-frothed it. Heavy cream whips up quickly, and if you keep going past the silky, pourable stage, it will turn into stiff whipped cream. Next time, stop as soon as the mixture looks thick and creamy and holds its shape briefly when you lift the frother.
Honestly, anything cold. The most popular pairings are cold brew coffee, iced lattes, iced americanos, and iced cappuccinos. But vanilla sweet cream cold foam is also incredible on iced matcha, iced chai, pink drinks, strawberry refreshers, and even iced tea. If you want to go next level, try it on my Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew.
Yes. Mix your heavy cream, milk, and vanilla syrup together and store the unwhipped mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. When you are ready to use it, just froth it fresh. Do not froth it ahead of time because the foam will collapse and separate within an hour.
Regular cold foam uses mostly nonfat or low-fat milk, which makes it lighter and more airy. Vanilla sweet cream cold foam uses heavy cream and 2% milk, which gives it a richer, thicker texture and a slower melt into your drink. Both use vanilla syrup, but the sweet cream version has a noticeably creamier, more luxurious mouthfeel.
Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp 2% milk
- 1-2 tbsp vanilla syrup depending on how sweet you like it.
Instructions
- Add the heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup to a jar or tall glass. All ingredients should be cold.1/3 cup heavy cream , 1-2 tbsp vanilla syrup, 3 tbsp 2% milk
- Using a handheld milk frother, froth for 30 to 60 seconds until the mixture is thick, silky, and pourable. Stop before it reaches whipped cream consistency.
- Pour on top of cold brew or favorite ice drink and enjoy.
Read the notes for different methods to make this if you don't have a handheld milk frother.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could I make a big batch ahead of time and will the consistency remain the same for a few days?
You can mix all of your ingredients ahead of time but you will have to froth it still to get that cold foam texture.
hands down the very best 😌
Thank you Alice!