If you enjoy starting the day right with hot cocoa or French vanilla coffee in the morning, chances are you use store-bought creamer. But did you know that standard creamers contain unhealthy fats, sugars and chemicals? Creating your own homemade creamer allows you to control what ingredients and flavors go into your drink – not to mention being budget-friendly and meeting all kinds of dietary goals and needs!

If your diet or allergies require that you forgoing dairy, there are numerous delicious and healthy alternatives that provide an ideal basis for creating delicious creamers. Nut milks such as almond, cashew and coconut milks may work, although usually combined with heavy cream or half-and-half to achieve the right consistency – which also adds additional calories, fats and carbs into the final result.

An easier and healthier option is using evaporated milk as the basis for your coffee creamer. Evaporated milk is creamy, rich, low in fat, and you can customize its sweetness by mixing in other ingredients such as sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for natural sweetness; vanilla or hazelnut extracts add additional flavor and provide additional vitamins.

Make this recipe healthier by swapping out the granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia powder – just remember to measure carefully as these sweeteners tend to have different tastes than regular sugar. For lactose-free versions, use equal parts oat milk and full-fat coconut milk instead; vegans may opt for using equal parts of non-dairy milks in lieu of dairy milks in accordance with traditional recipe instructions.

This healthy flavored coffee creamer is easy to make, lasting around one week in the refrigerator and even easier to freeze! Simply pour it into ice cube trays until solid and transfer to a freezer bag or container for long-term storage.

Alternatively, add vanilla or hazelnut extract for an even richer coffee creamer experience. Or for added health benefits and to provide MCT oils (also known as medium chain triglycerides). These additions could help increase metabolism while keeping you feeling full for longer.