Vanilla Cold Foam
This Vanilla Cold Foam recipe makes a luscious and velvety topping by frothing a creamy blend of vanilla-infused milk. Add sweetness and a smooth texture to cold beverages like iced coffees and teas, creating the perfect sip every time.
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We enjoy making healthy drinks like this homemade Starbucks cold foam. Check out our Iced Green Tea or this Butterfly Pea Tea recipe. Browse all of our Healthy Drink Recipes for more inspiration.
Why we love this recipe
- Cold foam is a healthier alternative to whipped cream. It still provides a creamy and luscious topping for your favorite cold brew coffee without the high-calorie content.
- The frothy layer of cold foam on top of your iced beverages will create an attractive, Instagram-worthy visual appeal.
- Homemade Starbucks copycat recipes have become popular, allowing you to recreate your favorite café-style drinks in the comfort of your own home. This DIY approach fosters creativity and the ability to experiment with different flavors. It also saves you money. Bonus!
Ingredients
- skim milk – cold and fresh milk is highly recommended. Almond milk or oat milk can be used as a vegan/dairy-free option although plant-based milks may not foam as well as dairy.
- maple syrup – this adds a lovely subtle sweetness to the cold foam. A simple syrup would also work. If you want a sugar-free and low carb option try a pinch of stevia or keto-friendly monk fruit instead.
- vanilla extract – necessary for the vanilla flavor. You can substitute a homemade vanilla syrup also.
Equipment
- electric milk frother – a handheld frother is an inexpensive and super useful kitchen tool. You could also use an immersion blender.
- stainless steel milk pitcher – this is great for frothing the milk in and pouring over your iced drink. A mason jar or liquid measuring cup works well also.
Instructions
Step 1
Start by adding the milk, vanilla, and maple syrup to the pitcher.
Step 2
Next, place the handheld milk frother into the milk and begin whipping the mixture.
Ensure you are using a proper frothing technique. This means a gentle up-and-down motion with the frothing wand or blender, avoiding aggressive swirling.
Slowly bring the frother to the surface and hold it there for a beat before lowering it again. Repeat this for about one minute until the foam starts to form.
Step 3
Finally, once the milk has transformed into a nice, thick foam, pour or spoon it on top of your drink of choice.
We use chilled coffee that we make in a French press and pour it over ice.
Expert tip
After putting it to the test, we found that non-fat milk produced the best foam. We tried using both whole milk and heavy cream but neither produced the light and fluffy consistency that the skim milk did.
Recipe variations
- Make a pumpkin cream cold foam by adding a couple of tablespoons of pumpkin puree and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice.
- Spin it into a chocolate version by sprinkling in a tablespoon of cocoa powder with the milk before frothing it.
Serving suggestions
- Spoon this Starbucks copycat over your favorite iced coffee drinks.
- Cold foam can be a delightful addition to iced lattes by adding a creamy and frothy element to the latte, making it even more indulgent.
- Cold foam works beautifully with iced teas, adding a smooth and frothy texture. Try it with black tea, green tea, or flavored herbal teas for a creamy twist.
- Cold foam isn’t limited just to beverages. You can also use it as a delicious topping for desserts like iced cakes, parfaits, or ice cream sundaes.
FAQS
There can be a few reasons why your milk didn’t foam up as nicely as you would like. Firstly, be sure to use cold milk straight from the fridge. Cold foam is best made with very cold milk. It could also be the age of the milk. Fresh milk tends to froth better than milk that is close to its expiration date.
Cold foam will stay thick and creamy for the duration of your drink. It will start to lose its frothiness over time and is best enjoyed right away.
Storage tips
- Vanilla Cold Foam is best when consumed relatively soon after preparation. While it may maintain its frothiness in the refrigerator, it will gradually lose its texture and structure over time. It’s ideal to enjoy the cold foam right away for the best experience.
- We do not recommend freezing cold foam. Freezing can alter the texture and affect the foam’s quality, resulting in a less enjoyable drinking experience.
More healthy drink recipes
If you’ve tried our copycat Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam recipe, please rate it and let us know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!
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Vanilla Cold Foam
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup non-fat skim milk *cold
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients into a pourable container such as a stainless steel milk pitcher or large liquid measuring cup.
- Using the handheld frother, slowly move the wand up and down, leaving it close to the surface for a couple of seconds before lowering it down again. Repeat until the milk has turned thick and foamy. This should take less than a minute.
- Pour or spoon over your iced beverage of choice.
Video
Notes
Storage tips
- Cold foam is best when consumed relatively soon after preparation. While it may maintain its frothiness in the refrigerator, it will gradually lose its texture and structure over time. It’s ideal to enjoy the cold foam right away for the best experience.
- We do not recommend freezing cold foam. Freezing can alter the texture and affect the foam’s quality, resulting in a less enjoyable drinking experience.