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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

    Published: Feb 15, 2023 by Michelle · 9 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This easy recipe for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam is a frothy and creamy way to luxuriously top off any drink.

    Hand pouring sweet cream cold foam into a glass of iced coffee.

    What is sweet cream cold foam?

    Popularized by Starbucks, Sweet Cream Cold Foam is a mixture of heavy cream (whipping cream) and milk, sweetened with vanilla syrup.

    It has an airy, fluffy, frothy texture that is in between whipped cream and foamed milk.

    The sweet cream cold foam has a vanilla-based flavor from the vanilla simple syrup, but can be easily adapted for a different flavour.

    What is cold foam?

    Starbucks cold foam is a mixture of only skim milk (1%) and vanilla syrup.

    Unlike foamed milk (eg. for matcha lattes or hojicha lattes), which is heated before frothing, cold foam does not require any warming process.

    It has a lighter, thinner texture compared to Starbucks sweet cream.

    Jar of Vanilla sweet cream cold foam on wooden board.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This Starbucks copycat recipe for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam is easy and simple to make.

    It's a a versatile and luxurious way to top off any iced coffee, cold brew, or tea latte.

    Making it at home allows you to control the amount of sweetness.

    Ingredients you'll need

    • heavy whipping cream: at least 36% milkfat (MF); cold
    • whole milk: or non-dairy alternative, if you desire
    • homemade vanilla syrup: or any sweetener you like; if you don't have simple syrup, you can make your own by combining equal amounts of sugar and water and boiling it in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves -- let it cool before using
    • vanilla extract: or vanilla bean paste

    Ingredients for Sweet Cream Cold Foam, with text overlay.

    How to make Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam

    Pour heavy cream into a tall jar (a mason jar works best here).

    Add in the whole milk, vanilla syrup and vanilla extract.

    Use a hand-held milk frother to whip the mixture until lightly aerated and foamy. Be careful not to overwhip.

    Add a dollop or two to your favorite cold brew coffee or espresso-based drink.

    Step by step photos on how to make vanilla sweet cream cold foam, with number overlay.Glass of iced coffee topped with Vanilla sweet cream cold foam.

    How to serve

    Besides cold brew, serve the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam on:

    • hot chocolate
    • matcha
    • iced coffee
    • lattes
    • cappuccinos
    • mochas
    • earl grey tea lattes

    Substitutions

    If you don't have whole milk, you can use half-and-half, which is 10% cream (half cream and half milk).

    You can also use non-dairy/dairy-free alternatives such as oat milk, coconut milk, or almond milk. (Note: if you're vegan, you can use a coconut cream instead heavy cream).

    For a different flavor, try a different syrup, such as: rose or lavender.

    Other ways to froth

    If you don't have a handheld milk frother or electric frother, you can whisk the mixture by hand using a balloon whisk.

    Or use an immersion blender if you're making a larger batch.

    Alternatively, you can secure a lid to your mason jar and give it a good shake.

    FAQs & troubleshooting

    The cream separated.

    This can happen if the cream has been sitting for a while.

    Just use a spoon or spatula and give it a few stirs to emulsify the mixture.

    Can I use 2% milk or skim milk?

    Starbucks uses 2% milk, but you can experiment with either.

    Skim milk will yield a thinner texture, similar to cold foam.

    Other drink recipes you may like

    Be sure to check out these recipes:

    Iced Doppio Espresso with Oat Milk (Starbucks Copycat)

    Brown Sugar Oat Espresso (Starbucks Copycat)

    Cold Brew Coffee (With Espresso Option)

    Easy Espresso con Panna

    Iced Matcha Latte

    Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

    Glass of iced coffee topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam on wooden board.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

    This easy recipe for Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam is a frothy and creamy way to luxuriously top off any drink.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 143kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    • 30 ml heavy whipping cream 36% milkfat, cold
    • 15 ml whole milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla simple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    For key visual process steps, refer to the body of the blog post.

    • Pour heavy cream into a tall jar (a mason jar works best here).
    • Add in the whole milk, vanilla syrup and vanilla extract.
    • Use a hand-held milk frother to whip the mixture until lightly aerated and foamy. Be careful not to overwhip.
    • Add to your favorite cold brew coffee or espresso-based drink.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 62mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 469IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dawn

      February 17, 2023 at 4:53 am

      5 stars
      Homemade is always the best, especially since I can control the sweetness. Not to mention, I can stay home in my cozy pants without going out to get it. 🙂 This would be such a fun and delicious way to top off my afternoon drink. Perfect to kick off the weekend with.

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 17, 2023 at 7:52 am

        Yes, absolutely agreed Dawn! 🙂

    2. Neil

      February 17, 2023 at 11:31 pm

      5 stars
      I think I'd just sit with a spoon and eat this without using it as a topping for anything. He he!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 18, 2023 at 8:22 am

        Haha, you could definitely do that! It's just so light and fluffy!

    3. Tasia

      February 19, 2023 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      This sweet vanilla cold foam will be perfect for topping my cold brew coffee!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 20, 2023 at 6:41 am

        It sure is a fun little way to perk up your cold brew coffee! Thanks Tasia!

    4. David @ Spiced

      February 20, 2023 at 5:06 am

      5 stars
      What a cool idea! This cold foam sounds easy to make, and it would be the perfect addition to pretty much any and every coffee drink...and maybe on top of a dessert, too!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 20, 2023 at 6:42 am

        Yes, you and Neil are thinking along the same lines -- I think it would great on a panna cotta or flan 🙂

    5. Raymund | angsarap.net

      February 26, 2023 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      I love trying new ways to make my coffee and this sounds like the perfect addition to any iced drink.

      Reply

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