Maple Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Imagine that it’s a sweltering hot [boiling] August afternoon; it feels like your next door neighbor is Mr. Sun himself, and you just can’t wait for your afternoon cup of dark black, bitter, burn-your-tongue-hot coffee. *cue game show buzzer: EH!* (that was my best attempt at spelling a sound…) No! You need sweet, cold, iced coffee, and you need it now. Personally, if I’m drinking cold coffee, I need it just a touch sweeter than the way I drink my hot coffee. But not too sweet because I’m not looking for cavities and anxiety attacks, ‘kay?! This Maple Vanilla Creamer is the perfect mix of sweet but not too sweet! It mixes in great to your cup of iced coffee or cold brew, but it’s also good for hot coffee, and, I discovered, a delicious nut milk sub in my Dairy Free Chocolate Milkshakes.

Also, I will share an iced coffee tip I learned from my husband, who learned from my brother-in-law, who used to work at Starbucks. (How’s that for a game of telephone?) When we want to make iced coffee, we simply brew coffee as usual, but with half the amount of water. Then we add ice cubes to the carafe; that way, as the hot coffee brews over the ice, some of it melts, cooling the coffee without watering it down. Then we add extra ice to our individual glass. Another way to have iced coffee is just to be a mom… you’ll never finish a mug of hot coffee. But, alas, I digress. However you make your iced coffee, pour this creamer in to your heart’s content, and enjoy!

• Servings: 1 cup of creamer
• Print

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/3 cup light coconut milk
• 1-2 tsp of pure maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Use immediately, or store covered for up to 2 weeks. Give the jar a shake before pouring.

That’s it! A simple, dairy free, refined sugar free way to spruce up your iced (or hot) coffee. For more coffee creamers, check out my Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer (pumpkin season is almost upon us!) and my Mexican Mocha Creamer. If you love coffee as much as I do, I know you will love all these sweet, but not too sweet, creamers! Sip some sweet, cold coffee, soak up the last rays of summer…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links, it is of no extra cost to you; just a small commission for me. Thank you for supporting A Pinch of Crazy!

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Mexican Mocha Creamer

A Little Homesick

As you may know, my husband and I just recently moved back to Texas after four years in Southern California. I’ve always called Texas home, but lately, I’ve been feeling homesick for California. I miss the warm sun, the beach, our friends, and even base housing (never thought that would happen!), but especially our church and our slow Sundays. On our way home from church in Cali, we would oftentimes stop for coffee at a little drive-through kiosk. It was little but insanely popular, with the line usually wrapping around into the neighboring parking lots. We would usually just get plain brewed coffee with almond milk, but sometimes for a treat, I would get a Mexican Mocha. Chocolate-y with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, it was delicious; however, with all the sugar in the mocha, I would soon be left with fuzzy teeth and a sugar crash, so I decided to make my own! As an homage to sunny Southern California, which will always have a special spot in my heart, here is my dairy free and refined sugar free Mexican Mocha Creamer!

Mexican Mocha Creamer

Makes about 3 cups. 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of 100% cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 3 tsp of pure vanilla extract (it’s really so much better than imitation)
• 1.5 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup of full fat coconut milk

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a small pot
• Over medium-low heat, whisk until thoroughly combined and warmed through
• Pour directly into coffee, or blend for a frothy cuppa
• Cover and refrigerate leftovers (I use a mason jar) and pour (or blend) into coffee again and again!

If mocha isn’t your thing, I have my Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer for you! And for other dairy free, refined sugar free drinks, check out my Dairy Free Eggnog, Death by Hot Chocolate, and Slow Cooker Apple Cider. If you need a sweet treat to go with your Joe, I’ve got you! Check out my Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Microwave Molten Lava Cake, Dark Chocolate Paleo Brownies, or Wholesome Chocolate Chunk Cookies for some of my favorites!

I hope you can have a peaceful cup of afternoon coffee, complete with Mexican Mocha Creamer and a satisfying treat. Get caffeinated and rejuvenated…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links, it is of no extra cost to you; just a small pantry fund for me. Thank you for supporting A Pinch of Crazy!

Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

The nights here in Southern California have been dipping down into the 50s; it’s so nice, crisp, and cool in the mornings. I just want to cuddle up under a big, fluffy blanket with a warm mug full of delicious, flavored coffee. Mmm. And since it’s fall, the flavor of the coffee should obviously be…PUMPKIN PIE! 

Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is kindaaa unofficially the official first sign of fall, and one thing’s for sure: the sugar content is spooky. In a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with 2% milk and no whipped cream there is… 48 grams of sugar! *cue dramatic thunder clap and flickering lights* That’s scarier than anything you’ll see this Halloween.

I’m not a huge fan of really sweet coffee, and have never actually tried a PSL; however, at this time of year, I love all things pumpkin-y, cinnamon-y, and spice-y. If you want to make your own homemade and healthier version, I have just the thing for you! This creamer is dairy free and refined sugar free…not to mention pure pumpkin coziness in a cup! It includes real pumpkin puree in the mix, which is great for gut health, and of course, delicious. You can mix the creamer right into your brewed coffee, or blend it up to make it foamy like a latte; I gulp it down either way. I hope you make a batch, or two, or 10 to enjoy this fall!

Pumpkin Pie Coffee Creamer

Makes two cups.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan
• Warm over medium-low heat, whisking until well combined
• Remove from heat
• Pour directly into coffee to stir in or make a “faux latte”
  • To make a “faux latte”
    • combine desired amounts each of coffee and creamer in blender
    • blend on low speed for 30 seconds until foamy
• Once cooled, store leftover creamer covered in fridge for a week (it still stirs in just fine when it’s cold)

If you like all things pumpkin this time of year, you should bake my Pumpkin Spice Cake and enjoy a slice along with your spiced coffee! If you make either pumpkin recipes, I’d love to see it; you can tag me on Instagram (mrsmollymills). Have some delicious coffee, cuddle up with your family, stay cozy…and enjoy your pinch of crazy!