I Like Coffee with My Cream !!

The only thing I love more than coffee is creamer.  I used to be completely obsessed with Coffeemate Vanilla creamer.  We went through a large 32 ounce container in 2 weeks or less.  I mean really, I could have been their poster girl.

I really felt like creamer was way too expensive and had often thought of making my own.  Then, one day, it happened.  Like any other thing in my life. Someone who was trying to lose weight was trying to cut out creamer and I laughed to myself at what a little thing that was to cut out.  Is it really that many calories?  Then I did it.  I turned my bottle around.  I don't remember how many calories or grams of fat it had, but I saw the list of ingredients.  Eww...what?  What is sodium stearoyl lactylate and do I really want to drink it?  I'm going to guess no.  Um, my beloved creamer was pretty gross if you got down to it.  So...just like other things I have started making, once I get grossed out, there is no going back for me.  And thus I began the hunt for the perfect homemade creamer.

I found a lot of websites that had quite a few creamers.  Some pretty simple, some more complex.  I have tried quite a few flavors and have pretty much liked all of them. I have to admit, my first cup of coffee without my store-bought creamer did not make me happy.  But I very quickly got used it and now, if I used store-bought creamer, that does not make me happy.

I always start with a half and half base.  I have seen all kinds of bases out there, many of them combos (1/2 c sweetened condensed milk to 1 1/2 cups half and half).  It looks like you can use any type of milk, half and half, whipping cream, or combination thereof that you prefer.
One of the reasons I wanted to make my own creamer was that creamer was really expensive.  (At least the way I was tearing through it!)  The reason I did not like the sweetened condensed milk option was for the expense.  From what I have read, it adds a creaminess and I felt like I could live without it.

It's funny, but before, I liked vanilla and peppermint mocha flavor and that was it.  I thought the other flavors I tried tasted too fake and rarely liked any of them. Now, I have a different flavor each week!

I guess the trickiest part for me has been the spices.  I have tried straining these suckers out every way you can imagine.  I have gotten the finest strainer I can find (think tea ball infuser), I have strained multiple times.  I have tried straining thorugh a coffee filter (epic fail).  And I have tried just shaking it up and living with the spices.  If you go this route, might I recommend that you never take the last sip of coffee in your mug.  Just trust me on this.  I am currently in search of some cheese cloth and will let ya'll know if I ever solve my straining dilemnas.

Some have sweeteners added and some do not.  I generally am ok with just adding my own sweetener.  Another thing I learned through this journey..brown sugar is much better in my coffee than white sugar.

Here are my favorite flavors I have tried, with links to their websites:

Caramel Coconut Creamer

Pecan Pie (a little more labor intensive!)
Pumpkin Spice
Cinnamon Strudel
all found on:  Homemade Healthy Coffee Creamers


Chocolate Almond
Cappucino
Cinnamon Bun (one of my VERY favs!)
Pumpkin Spice
all found on:  Bacon in my Pocket

And, I even invented my own!

Butter-nut Maple Creamer
2 c base
1 t vanilla butternut extract
1 t maple extract

There are some on my radar to go to next:

Vanilla Caramel
Almond Joy
Salted Caramel
Eggnog
Peppermint Patty
Mrs. Happy Homemaker

Hoping yours is good to the last drop!
K