How to make a vegan Starbucks cold cream copycat

With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, I truly think this is one of the best ways to jazz up your own coffee for less money at home.  It’s actually a cool way to up-cycle chickpea liquid AKA aquafaba which typically is something that would be poured down the drain!  

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Why would you want to make a vegan cold foam?  

Well, it’s vegan, dairy-free, and packed with a light and creamy texture. Not to mention it’s super easy to make – all you’ll need is some sugar, aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas), cornstarch, and a mixer with whisk attachment. 

• If you are trying to follow an animal free lifestyle.  
• If you are trying to live a vegan lifestyle and missing your sweet cold cream topping!  
• If you’re looking for a creamy topping that foams better than your average plant milk!
• You want to make morning coffee time extra special.  
• You realize that non-dairy milk just doesn’t foam the same way as regular.  
• ​Make a double batch to use on top of any dessert as a whipped cream alternative.  

I’ve noticed that oat milk, almond milk and soy milk just don’t foam the same way as whole milk or heavy cream.  (It’s because they have a much lower fat content, so they don’t get as airy.)  Coconut milk whips really well, but if you are trying to avoid saturated fat or have a heart condition, coconut milk should be avoided.  

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Canned chickpeas – Any brand will do.  Personally I like to use Goya canned chickpeas for this recipe.  
• Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar helps keep the creamy smooth consistency of the final whip.  You could use granulated sugar in a pinch, but it may be more grainy.  Brown sugar will be too dense and result in a flatter result.  
• Cornstarch – This helps with texture.  You could also use cream of tartar.  
• Vanilla extract – You can experiment with different flavors, but vanilla is classic.  A tiny drop of almond extract, even peppermint could be interesting too!  
• I recommend making this in a traditional stand mixer, but a hand mixer or a high speed blender such as a Vitamix will work well. If you’re making a triple batch an immersion blender could be an option.  For it to work, you need to have enough liquid to blend so it can blend under the liquids surface.  A mini handheld frother doesn’t have enough umph for this recipe.  

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How to make vegan cold creme

First drain your chickpeas and reserve the chickpea liquid.  You will get about 1/2 cup.  

Next reduce this liquid by half over medium heat in a frying pan.  

Then whip the reduced aquafaba in your mixer for about 1 minute.  Then add your remaining ingredients- cornstarch, powdered sugar and vanilla and let it mix for 8-10 minutes until stiff peaks form.

You’re going to be amazed by how quickly this creamy foam comes together!!

What is aquafaba

How to use dairy free cold cream

• On top of any cold brew coffee recipe, french press, iced coffee or any iced drink for that matter
• Serve on top of hot tea drinks like English breakfast.
• Create your own Starbucks drinks at home by combining espresso with simple syrup topped with your homemade cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice!
• Serve it instead of foamed milk or whipped cream.
• Consider this topping a vegan meringue.  It will even brown if you place it under the broiler!
• Add a dollop to chocolate milk for kids.  
• Top puddings or pie for a vegan dessert.  

There are literally tons of different ways you can use this sweet cream foam.  Let me know how you use it!!

This recipe will replace any dairy cold foam recipe and last for five days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. A mason jar or a small pint container works perfectly for this!      

Share this easy Starbucks copycat recipe with your best girlfriends who love vanilla sweet cream cold foam just as much as you do!

Calorie and nutrition info

Aquafaba typically has about 3-5 calories per tablespoon, mostly from carbohydrates. For the purposes of this recipe, I used 4 calories per tablespoon.

Aquafaba is vegan and gluten free.

This vegan cold cream recipe has about 63g carbs and zero protein, fat or fiber.

 

References

Aquafaba Nutrition.(November 13, 2023) https://aquafaba.com/nutrition.html