Wednesday, November 7, 2012

CINNAMON VANILLA COFFEE CREAMER



 *Update.  I should mention that we drink our coffee a little on the sweet side in our house.  We live in South Florida after all, home of Cuban Coffee (Cuban Coffee is really strong and sweet coffee, served in little thimbles).  I am have put a note at the bottom of the recipe to make the creamer less sweet.

Some of y’all may have noticed a slight change in the blog title, while some of y’all didn’t notice a thing (and that’s okay).  I started this blog before I had a domain name and, well Loaves and Dishes was not an available domain name, but Loaves n Dishes was.  Please bear with me as I stumble through the process of figuring out this whole blog thing.  I am not tech savvy, when I get things accomplished on the computer, it’s quite by accident.  Heck I don’t even have a Smart Phone. 

While I don’t know much about tech mumbo jumbo, I do know about food.  Real food, I try to stay away from processed foods such as canned and packaged foods, and artificial sweeteners as much as  possible.  I’m not totally against processed foods.  Sometimes I’ve just gotta have my KD, and I like to make my spinach dip with a soup mix; I just don’t want to consume it every day.

Well I drink coffee every morning, and I’ve been buying those yummy tasting coffee creamers for years.  They make my coffee so creamy, sweet and DELICIOUS!  BUT, have you read the ingredient label on those creamers?  There’s not one thing real in the bottle, except for real chemicals.  AAARRG!  I have been feeling bad for years as I added it to my cup of morning Joe, but I did it anyway…until now.  I was checking out At Home with Kim when I came across HomeMade Coffee Creamer.  I didn't use the recipes she provided because the ingredients were expensive, but I cannot take credit for the genius that is HomeMade Coffee Creamer.  Check out the recipes for HomeMade Coffee Creamer.

It took me a couple of tries to get the creamer the way I like it.  I hesitated with the amount of sugar, but found that it does need quite a bit of sugar because it’s sweetening not just the half and half, but also the coffee.  I used brown sugar, one because it's healthier than white sugar, and two because it gives a caramel flavor to the coffee.  I prefer half and half, but you can use low fat milk if you like; it’s your Joe!

Here’s what you do.

 




Combine the brown sugar and water in a medium sauce pan, over medium heat.






 




Once the sugar and water come up to a boil, cook (boil) it for 2 minutes.






 


Now remove the syrupy mixture from the heat and add the cinnamon.

It will bubble up so be careful.





 





Add the vanilla extract.







Allow the syrup to cool completely.

 


Put the half and half in a large measuring cup.  This will make life easier when it’s time to pour the creamer.







 





Pour the cooled syrup into the half and half…







 






…and give it a whisk.





 








A carafe is great to pour the creamer into.









 






Now my coffee is creamy, sweet, delicious and chemical free!











Makes 3 cups

1              cup         Brown sugar, lightly packed
2/3         cup         Water
1/8         tsp.        Cinnamon
1              tsp.        Vanilla extract
2        cups       Half and half

1.        Cook the brown sugar and water in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat.  When the mixture comes to a boil, cook for 2 minutes. 
2.       After the mixture has cooked, remove the pan from the heat and use a wooden spoon to stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract. 
3.       Allow the sugar mixture to cool completely.
4.       Pour the half and half into a large measuring cup (this makes it easier to pour); whisk the cooled sugar mixture into the half and half.
5.       Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

*Note, to make the creamer less sweet try 2/3 cup or 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of water.

8 comments:

  1. MMM, my coffee mug would love this! I saw this Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer the other day too, and its on my to-make list:

    http://www.whatmegansmaking.com/2012/09/homemade-pumpkin-spice-creamer.html

    Basically, you make your own half and half, but with skim milk.

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    Replies
    1. Pumpkin Spice sounds delish too!

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    2. Yum! What a sweet treat for the holidays. Thank you so much for sharing my link on your fb page-- I really appreciate the support. Your blog made me hungry, you have some talent! I ate a pbj sandwich for dinner :( I can bake up a few tasty desserts, but I think I am missing the culinary gene! I will have to visit your blog often for help!
      :) Samantha @ Crafty Texas Girls

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    3. Thanks Samantha! Unless we are actually Martha Stewart, I don't think any of us are talented in all areas of domesticity; that's why we need each other! I can't sew a lick, but I absolutely love what you do! Hope your Trunk Show is a HUGE success!

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  2. You know I love this! I need my sweet cream in the coffee ... everyday! Now that you're an addicted blogger, you gotta get a smart phone. Blogging and checking comments, etc. completes the addition picture :) Very nice recipe - thanks.

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    Replies
    1. I know, I know that I need a smart phone. I don't know why I am so resistant to technology.

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  3. Whaaaaaaat?!?
    I'm so making this! And I will raise my mug in your honor.

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  4. Oh stop it! You make me want to make this! I have completely weened myself off sugar in my coffee and you are ruining all my hard work :P

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