Simple Homemade Creamer with Only 3 Ingredients

Why make a creamer at home you ask? You can make this creamer for less money and know what ingredients are in your morning coffee. I love how this recipe can be customized for your flavor preferences, and you can use homemade flavoring syrup or store-bought depending on what you want.

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Honestly, I made this creamer at first because I wanted to help lower the grocery bill every month. With how often we were buying creamer from the store, it was starting to add up. Plus, I started looking at the ingredients of most store-bought creamers and was astounded at what I found. The biggest problem for me was that several said they had “No Lactose”, which told me they were not using real cream or milk to make their creamer, but something much more processed. After reading this off the label, I went on a search to find a homemade alternative.

While I did find recipe options, I ended up altering mine to suit our taste buds as well as to help stretch the dollar amount. Because I make our own flavored simple syrup, I was able to really decrease the overall cost of our homemade creamer. (Learn how to make your own flavored simple syrup.) Also, I found that using half and half or heavy cream as the base of the creamer allowed for a richer creamer over using milk, and you don’t need to use as much in your coffee to get the same flavor. However, if you are lactose intolerant or vegetarian, you will need to use a dairy-free substitute, which I explain below.

What I really, truly love about this recipe though is the fact that you can measure and make it all in a quart sized mason jar! You will need to make sure that the jar you use has the cup or ounce measurements on the side, but as long as you have one of those jars, you don’t have to dirty any measuring cups, just a spoon or spatula for stirring.

When you first use this creamer in your coffee, I recommend that you start off with about half the amount that you think you need or normally use, and then add from there. I have noticed that it is super easy to overdo the amount and end up with too sweet of a coffee because this homemade coffee creamer is richer than the store-bought versions.

We then store our homemade creamer in the mason jar with a storage lid or a previously used canning lid and band, and we put it in the refrigerator just like you would with conventional creamer. To avoid any mess that could happen, I will often wipe down the edge of the jar after we finish using the creamer before I replace the lid. This way it gets rid of any build up on the outside and can keep your fridge from getting sticky.

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How do you store homemade creamer?

For this homemade creamer recipe, you will make and store the creamer in a mason jar. You will simply need to make sure you have a plastic screw-on lid or a used canning lid with a metal band to keep it sealed. Then just keep it in the fridge like you would normal creamer that you buy from the store.

Best way to store your homemade creamer:

You need to check out these mason jars with sealing lids! I love that they have the handles attached to the lid with a pour spout! No more needing to clean the side every time you use. Plus, these work for all your wide mouth jars, so when one is dirty, just use another!

Why is creamer used in coffee?

The reason why creamer is used in coffee depends on the person, but I would say most coffee drinkers don’t appreciate coffee black. Creamer adds some balance to the acidity and flavor of coffee by introducing some creaminess, in the form of dairy or non-dairy products, and some flavored sweetness through the use of flavored syrup and condensed milk. While some people do enjoy their coffee black, most prefer to add a little something to their morning cup of joe!

How long does homemade creamer last?

Now, how long homemade creamer will last depends on the base of your creamer. We use ours regularly, so it is usually gone within 1-2 weeks. I wouldn’t want to push it past that point because dairy products are usually only good for that long. If you are unsure though, I would read the “Best By” date on the creamer base you will be using.

Can you make dairy-free creamer?

I have not made this recipe dairy-free, but I would think you could. You will need to substitute almond, oat, or coconut milk/cream for the half and half or heavy cream. Then you would need to add a non-dairy sweetened condensed milk alternative that matched the non-dairy milk you chose.

What do you need to make homemade creamer:

–Creamer Base – Half & Half OR Heavy Cream OR Non-Dairy Milk: We have noticed that the heavy cream makes the coffee less sweet and you don’t need as much per cup. However, I do know that some people prefer the flavor and consistency of half and half.

–Flavored Simple Syrup: My hubby loves the vanilla syrup I make with this recipe, but you could buy or make whatever flavor you prefer.

–Dairy or Non-dairy Sweetened Condensed Milk: This helps thicken the creamer and bring a familiar sweetness and consistency that helps those who are used to store-bought creamer make the switch to homemade.

How to make homemade creamer:

Take out your mason jar, and turn it so the measurement side is facing you.

Pour in your creamer base to the 2 cup or 16 ounce line making sure to use the measurements on the side of the quart jar.

Next, add your syrup to the 2.5 cup line or the 20 ounce line. This line may not be marked with a number, but should be half-way between the 2 and 3 cup lines.

Finally, add the can of condensed milk. Stir carefully with a wooden spoon or spatula making sure to get everything evenly combined.

Store in the mason jar with a lid in the fridge. To use, add a small amount to your morning cup of coffee (1-3 tbsp. to suit your tastes).