How To Make Sweet Cream Cold Foam - My Everyday Table

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Jump to Recipe·5 from 4 reviews

Once you learn how to make cold foam at home, you won’t believe how easy it is. This Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam is lightly sweetened and has real flecks of vanilla bean to take it over-the-top sweet and creamy flavor.

Pouring sweet cream cold foam over iced coffee.

It’s the sweet and creamy cloud your iced coffee drinks want. ☁️

And it’s so easy, there’s no reason you can’t make cold foam yourself! This is the basic, vanilla bean version, but truly the options are endless, get creative.

Pour over cold brew or your favorite iced coffee drinks. Espresso or coffee both work, it’s totally up to you! It’s…

😋 Seriously delicious: This sweet cream foam has real vanilla bean flecks and is so creamy with just the right amount of sweetness.🛒 Made with simple ingredients: Just cream, milk, and a touch of vanilla bean simple syrup (we have 15 ideas on other flavors to try below!). 🌀 Velvety texture: Smooth, rich, and cloud-like, this pours over your coffee drinks. 💰 Saves you money: One batch costs less than a coffee shop topping!⚡ Fast to make: Less than 2 minutes start to finish, once you have the simple syrup made (or purchased!). 🧋 Perfect for iced coffee: Pour it over cold brew or espresso or your favorite iced drinks.

If you love an easy Starbucks drinks, be sure to try my pumpkin cold foam, iced pumpkin spice latte, brown sugar shaken espresso, tomato mozzarella panini, or turkey pesto panini next time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review

SB sweet cream nitro cold brew had me in a chokehold until now. I’ve started making my own cold brew and the addition of this cold foam recipe is PERFECTION! Delicious and oh so simple. –Meg

Sweet cream cold foam pouring over iced coffee GIF.

Ingredient Notes

You’ll need just a few ingredients and pantry staples to make this cold foam: heavy cream, milk, vanilla simple syrup (store-bought or homemade), and your favorite coffee.

Emily’s Tips & Tricks

Pro tip: Don’t over-whip your foam! You’re going for soft, pourable peaks, not stiff whipped cream. Stop as soon as it’s thickened up and silky.
Homemade vanilla bean syrup: Use a 1:1 ratio (1/2 cup of sugar + 1/2 cup of water + 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste), which will make about 6 oz. (12 tablespoons) of vanilla bean syrup. Combine sugar and water in small saucepan and heat over medium heat until it comes to a simmer, stir until sugar is dissolved and remove from heat. Stir in vanilla bean paste and let cool before storing in the refrigerator.
Shortcuts: You can also buy the vanilla bean syrup instead of making it if you prefer.
Variations: The possibilities are endless, see 15 delicious ideas below the recipe card.

Glass of iced coffee with sweet cream cold foam.

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Description

Make silky sweet cream cold foam at home in under 2 minutes – plus 15 flavor variations to try. Better than Starbucks and costs a fraction of the price.

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

3 Tbsp. heavy cream
1 Tbsp. milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
1 Tbsp. vanilla syrup (see recipe above or use store-bought)
iced coffee (iced espresso, cold brew, iced coffee, etc.)

Instructions

In a small glass, combine heavy cream, milk, and vanilla syrup.
Froth mixture for 15-25 seconds until light and foamy.
Serve immediately and pour cold foam over your drink.

Notes

See above for instructions on how to make vanilla bean syrup at home.
Storage: Best enjoyed immediately. Top iced coffee with vanilla cold foam and serve immediately. Do not store for later as foam will deflate.
Ingredient notes: Whole milk and heavy cream create the creamiest foam, but plant-based options like oat or almond milk also work.
Prep ahead: Make the vanilla simple syrup ahead and it will last a few weeks in the refrigerator. Brew coffee in advance and reheat if needed, but froth milk fresh for the best texture.
Special tools: Handheld milk frother, vanilla bean paste, vanilla bean syrup, iced coffee glasses.
Serve with: Iced coffees, cold brew, iced espresso, lattes.

Other Cold Foam Flavors to Try

The beauty of homemade cold foam is how easy it is to customize! The base recipe stays the same as the recipe above – just swap the vanilla bean syrup for any flavored syrup, or mix in 1/8 teaspoon (or use your best judgement!) of a spice or powder before frothing. Start with 1 tablespoon of your chosen syrup and adjust to taste, since some syrups run sweeter than others.

Brown sugar cinnamon – Use brown sugar syrup and 1/8 tsp cinnamon
Pumpkin spice – My pumpkin cold foam recipe walks you through the whole thing!
Pistachio – Use pistachio syrup for a nutty, slightly sweet foam that’s having a major moment
Lavender – Use lavender syrup for a floral, lightly sweet foam, or make your own with my lavender simple syrup recipe
Rose – Use rose syrup for a floral, slightly exotic twist – also easy to make at home
Maple – Swap in pure maple syrup for a warm, cozy foam that’s perfect for fall
Salted caramel – Use caramel syrup and finish with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top
Honey cinnamon – Skip the syrup and use raw honey instead for a naturally sweet foam
Toasted marshmallow – Use marshmallow syrup for a s’mores-inspired foam that’s surprisingly good
Coconut – Use coconut milk and coconut syrup for a tropical twist
Brown butter – Use brown butter syrup for a toasty, caramel-like depth
Matcha – Whisk 1/8 tsp matcha powder into the cream before frothing for an earthy, slightly bitter foam
Strawberry – Use strawberry syrup for a fruity foam that’s great over iced tea or an iced matcha latte, too
Vanilla chai – Add 1/8 tsp chai spice blend to your vanilla syrup or use chai syrup for a warmly spiced, aromatic foam
Protein foam – Whisk a scoop of unflavored collagen into the cream before frothing for a surprisingly creamy protein boost

Sweet Cream Cold Foam Video

@myeverydaytable
Monday vibes ☕️ #coldfoamathome #sweetcreamcoldfoam #coffeetiktok #coffeedrinkersoftiktok #everydaymoment
♬ Work Bitch – Britney Spears

Glass of sweet cream cold foam coffee with a straw.

FAQs

What is sweet cream cold foam at Starbucks?

The Starbucks sweet cream cold foam is a foamy mix of milk and vanilla syrup. It’s similar to whipped cream in flavor, but with a lighter, velvety texture that can be poured over the iced coffee.

Is there a difference between sweet cream foam and whipping cream?

Yes and no. While they are made with essentially the same ingredients, cold foam is not whipped as much as whipped cream as we want it to easily pour and not beat it to stiff peaks like you might with whipping cream. I’ve found that the blend of heavy cream and nonfat milk result in the best creamy foam texture.

Can you make dairy-free sweet cream cold foam?

Yes, you can make dairy-free creamy foam, but it doesn’t hold up structurally as well as heavy cream, but it definitely still works, so if that’s your preference, you can use oat, almond, or soy milk. Use the barista blends of plant-based milk if you can find them.

Can you make sweet cream cold foam without a milk frother?

Yes, you have a few options if you don’t have a handheld frother or electric milk frother. You can try blending the mixture (though you’ll need a small blender attachment), or shake in a small mason jar until it’s frothy. If you’re a big fan of cold foam, the handheld milk frother is an awesome and super affordable tool you’ll want to have!

What are the ingredients in Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold foam?

Ice, Brewed Coffee, Vanilla Sweet Cream [Cream (Cream, Mono And Diglycerides, Carageenan), Milk, Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid)], Vanilla Syrup [Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid]

Serving Suggestions

Coffee alone does not a breakfast make! Try some of these easy and delicious breakfast recipes along with your morning coffee:

Toast: Avocado toast, ricotta toast, tomato toast, hummus toast
Fruit/oats: Acai bowl, peanut butter and chocolate smoothie, Greek yogurt parfait, protein overnight oats
Eggs: Scrambled eggs, breakfast tostadas, English breakfast

About the Author

Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.

Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.

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8 Comments

My new favorite way to drink iced coffee!
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1. The besttttt!
  Reply
That vanilla bean paste!!! 🤩
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Love that I can make this at home!
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is the foam supposed to stay on top? Mines keeps sinking to the bottom. Iced or hot. Can you assist?
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1. You could foam it a bit longer so that it is thicker and it will float on top of the liquid. I like mine to pour so I don’t whip it super thick, but you could make it thicker. (It will be closer to whipped cream)
  Reply
SB sweet cream nitro cold brew had me in a chokehold until now. I’ve started making my own cold brew and the addition of this cold foam recipe is PERFECTION! Delicious and oh so simple.
Reply
1. I’m dancing at my desk over this comment, THANK YOU!
  Reply