Cold Foam Recipe

I still remember the first time I saw cold foam at a coffee shop. It was one of those cloudy Portland mornings, and I was already running late to the farmers' market. The barista handed a woman a tall iced coffee, and this soft, creamy cloud floated on top like it had just drifted down from the sky. I leaned in close, wide-eyed, probably a little too curious, and asked, "What is that heavenly thing?"

Since then, I've been on a mission to recreate that moment—but in a way that feels a little more like home. So today, I wanna share the cold foam recipe that lives in my heart (and now in my fridge almost weekly). It’s rich, sweet, and velvety, just like the ones at Starbucks—but without the $1.25 upgrade. Which, if you're like me, is kinda nice when you're already trying to make those grocery dollars stretch.

If you're into chilly, creamy drinks, you might also enjoy my pistachio cream recipe or this nostalgic snow ice cream treat that’s just plain fun in winter.

Ok, so this sweet cream cold foam recipe comes together in less than 2 minutes. I’m serious. And it only needs four things: whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. You pop those in a mason jar or your favorite little kitchen glass, and give it a froth. That's it. The texture ends up airy and soft—not stiff like whipped cream, but almost like a whisper of dessert floating over your drink.

And yes, you can make this even if you don’t have a fancy frother. I’ve done it with a good ol’ mason jar and some elbow grease, and it still came out creamy and luscious. But if you do get one of those little handheld frothers? Oof. You're gonna use it more than you think. That thing’s a workhorse.

One of the things I love most about this vanilla cold foam recipe is how flexible it is. Want it lighter? Try using 2% milk instead of whole. Don’t have powdered sugar? A spoonful of maple syrup gives it a cozy, caramel-y twist. And if you’re looking for a cold foam recipe without heavy cream, just use more milk and a bit of your favorite milk alternative—it won’t whip up quite as thick, but it still gives your iced drinks a creamy, dreamy upgrade.

And y’all know I can’t leave without giving you my favorite iced coffee setup: take a strong brew (like, double-strength), pour it over ice, add a pinch of cinnamon and a teeny splash of maple syrup, then crown it with this cold foam. It’s like fall in a glass, even if it’s 95 degrees out.

FAQs

How do you make cold foam at home?

You just whisk or froth milk, cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. A frother makes it super easy, but a tightly sealed mason jar works in a pinch.

What is cold foam made of?

Mine uses whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. That combo gets you that velvety, soft-pour texture we all swoon for.

What milk is best for cold foam?

Whole milk is my go-to—it gives the best texture. But you can try 2%, oat, or almond if you’re skipping dairy. Just know the foam might be a little lighter.

How to make Starbucks cream cold foam?

Use their combo: heavy cream + milk + vanilla syrup. My version swaps in powdered sugar for sweetness and is just a little more pantry-friendly.

Sweet Cream Cold Foam

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