Homemade Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew: Your Perfect Fall Coffee Indulgence
It’s that time of year again when the aroma of spiced lattes fills the air, and coffee shops roll out their much-anticipated seasonal menus. While a certain popular retailer might be tempting you with their pumpkin-spiced creations, there’s a different, equally delightful autumn flavor that truly shines: maple. Forget the usual pumpkin and apple overload; this season, we’re diving into the rich, warm embrace of maple with our exquisite Homemade Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew. This isn’t just another coffee drink; it’s an experience, perfectly crafted to awaken your senses on crisp fall mornings. The beauty of making your own cold brew concentrate at home means you have complete control over the quality and flavor of your coffee. You can select your favorite organic beans, ensuring a smooth, less acidic base that pairs flawlessly with our luxuriously easy-to-make maple sweet cream. Get ready to elevate your fall coffee game!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. As always, all opinions are my own.
For many, the arrival of fall signifies the return of beloved pumpkin and apple flavors in almost everything, especially beverages. While I appreciate a good pumpkin treat as much as the next person, the sheer abundance of these seasonal staples can sometimes lead to flavor fatigue. This year, I found myself craving something different, a flavor that offers the same comforting warmth of autumn but with a unique twist. That’s where maple steps in—an often-understated hero of fall ingredients.
The Undeniable Allure of Maple
Maple is more than just a pancake topping; it’s a wonderfully complex and versatile flavor that often plays a supporting role, subtly enhancing pumpkin pies, apple crisps, and various baked goods. But in this recipe, we’re giving maple the spotlight it deserves. Its rich, earthy sweetness, with hints of caramel and vanilla, provides a depth that stands beautifully on its own. This delightful Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew is my latest obsession, striking the perfect balance between a robust, smooth coffee base and a cloud of sweet, maple-infused cream. It’s a harmonious blend that delivers a significant punch of authentic maple flavor in every sip.
As National Coffee Day (October 1st) approaches, there’s no better time to celebrate the joys of coffee with a homemade twist. For all my ingredients, especially the star of the show – the coffee – I headed straight to Sprouts Farmers Market. Sprouts is renowned for its commitment to organic, high-quality products, and their coffee selection is no exception. Walking through the aisles, you’ll discover an impressive array of organic coffee options, catering to every palate. Whether you prefer a bold dark roast or a delicate light blend, Sprouts has something to fit your flavor preferences.
For this particular Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew, I opted for a straightforward yet incredibly flavorful organic Brazilian blend. Its naturally smooth profile makes it an excellent canvas for the maple sweet cream. However, don’t hesitate to explore! Sprouts offers numerous other varieties that could work wonderfully. My key recommendation for this recipe is to choose a light or medium roast coffee. These roasts tend to have a brighter, less intense flavor that complements the sweet and aromatic maple notes in the cream topping beautifully, allowing both the coffee and the maple to shine without overpowering each other.
Next time you visit Sprouts, take a moment to browse their full selection of organic coffees. I recently spotted a salted caramel blend that immediately sparked ideas for my next cold brew experiment – the possibilities are endless! Stocking up on your favorite organic beans from Sprouts ensures you always have the perfect base for your homemade coffee creations.
Pro Tip for Busy Mornings: For effortless enjoyment throughout your week, prepare a large batch of cold brew concentrate in advance. Simply brew, strain, and store it in your refrigerator. Then, each morning, all you need to do is whip up a fresh batch of the luscious maple sweet cream topping, and your luxurious coffee indulgence is ready in minutes!
More Delicious Ways to Enjoy Sprouts Organic Coffee
Beyond this delightful Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew, Sprouts organic coffee can be the foundation for many other incredible beverages. If you’re looking to explore more creative coffee concoctions, especially for entertaining or a special treat, consider these fantastic coffee cocktail recipes:
- Irish Coffee: A classic, comforting blend of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a generous dollop of whipped cream.
- Eggnog Cold Brew Coffee Cocktail: A festive and creamy twist, perfect for holiday gatherings, combining smooth cold brew with rich eggnog and a hint of spice.
These recipes highlight the versatility of quality coffee and offer wonderful alternatives for different moods and occasions.
Essential Tools for Your Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Having the right tools can make all the difference in preparing your homemade cold brew and sweet cream with ease. Here are some of my must-have items to ensure your coffee-making process is as smooth as the final drink:
- Mason Jars: These are indispensable for making and storing your cold brew concentrate. Their airtight seal keeps your coffee fresh, and their clear glass makes it easy to monitor the steeping process. I typically use large mason jars for brewing and then smaller ones for daily portions.
- Clear Coffee Mugs: To truly appreciate the beautiful layers of dark cold brew and luscious maple sweet cream, clear coffee mugs are a fantastic choice. They elevate the visual appeal of your drink, making it feel like a special cafe treat right at home.
- Fine Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth: Crucial for filtering your cold brew concentrate, ensuring a smooth, grit-free result. A fine mesh strainer works well, but for ultimate clarity, a cheesecloth-lined strainer is even better.
- Electric Milk Frother: While not strictly necessary (a blender works too!), an electric milk frother makes creating that perfectly aerated, fluffy maple sweet cream incredibly simple and quick. Many models even have a cold froth setting, ideal for this chilled beverage.
- Whisk and Mixing Bowls: For combining the sweet cream ingredients, a good whisk and a set of mixing bowls are always handy.
Crafting Your Delicious Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Now that we’ve gathered our premium ingredients and essential equipment, it’s time to bring this autumn delight to life. The process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding, broken down into three simple stages: making the cold brew concentrate, preparing the maple sweet cream, and finally, assembling your masterpiece.
Step-by-Step: Making Your Cold Brew Concentrate
The foundation of any great cold brew is, well, the cold brew concentrate itself. This slow steeping method extracts the coffee’s flavor without the bitterness often associated with hot brewing. For optimal results, aim for a ratio of 1 ounce of coarse ground coffee to 1 cup of filtered water. Using coarse grounds is essential as it prevents over-extraction and makes straining easier.
- Combine: In a large container or two mason jars (as I did, using 2 oz coffee and 2 cups water per jar), add your chosen ground coffee.
- Add Water: Pour in the filtered water, ensuring all coffee grounds are fully saturated. Give it a gentle stir to ensure even saturation.
- Steep: Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator. Allow it to steep for a minimum of 12 hours, or preferably overnight (up to 24 hours) for a richer flavor. The longer it steeps, the stronger and smoother your concentrate will be.
- Strain: Once steeped, strain the concentrate through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a clean coffee filter into another clean jar or container. This step is crucial for removing all the coffee grounds and achieving a clear, smooth concentrate.
- Store: Your homemade cold brew concentrate is now ready! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. This makes weekly prep a breeze, giving you a quick coffee base whenever you need it.
Crafting the Velvety Maple Sweet Cream
The maple sweet cream is the crowning glory of this cold brew, transforming a simple coffee into a luxurious treat. Its rich, airy texture and warm spice notes perfectly complement the cold brew.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 cup heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk, 4 teaspoons of pure maple syrup, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg. The condensed milk adds a lovely sweetness and creaminess, while the maple syrup brings that essential fall flavor. Vanilla enhances the overall aroma, and the cinnamon and nutmeg introduce a subtle warmth.
- Whisk Until Smooth: Whisk all ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture starts to slightly thicken. You’re aiming for a consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Froth (Preferred Method): If you have an electric milk frother, this is the easiest way to achieve that perfect airy texture. Add the maple cream mixture to your frother in batches, depending on its capacity. Select the “cold froth” setting and let it work its magic until the cream is light, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume.
- Blend (Alternative Method): No frother? No problem! You can achieve a similar result using a blender. Add about ½ cup of the maple cream mixture at a time to your blender. Pulse for approximately 10-15 seconds, or until the cream becomes noticeably fluffy and thick. Be careful not to over-blend, as this can turn it into butter.
- Chill: Once frothed or blended, cover the maple sweet cream and refrigerate it until you are ready to assemble your drink. Chilling it will help maintain its luscious texture.
Assembling Your Perfect Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Now for the satisfying grand finale – bringing all the components together to create your personal fall coffee masterpiece.
- Prepare Your Glass: Grab your favorite clear coffee mug or glass and fill it generously with ice. The colder the better for a truly refreshing cold brew.
- Pour the Coffee Base: Add 1 cup of your homemade cold brew concentrate to the glass.
- Dilute (to taste): Add ¼ cup of cold water. This dilution ratio is a starting point, as cold brew concentrate is quite strong. Feel free to adjust the amount of water to your preferred strength. Stir gently to combine the coffee and water.
- Layer with Maple Sweet Cream: Carefully spoon or pour a generous amount of your freshly frothed or blended maple sweet cream over the top of the cold brew. Watch as the creamy, spiced topping slowly cascades into the dark coffee, creating a beautiful visual effect.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately and savor the harmonious blend of rich coffee and sweet, aromatic maple cream. For an extra touch, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.
This Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew isn’t just a drink; it’s a breakfast or brunch enhancer. Its rich and sweet profile makes it a delightful companion to various morning meals. Consider pairing it with a hearty and flavorful breakfast for a truly indulgent start to your day:
- Chocolate Cinnamon Overnight Oats: The earthy notes of chocolate and warm spice of cinnamon will beautifully complement the maple and coffee, creating a cohesive and satisfying flavor experience.
- Peach Pancakes with Whipped Mint Butter: The fruity sweetness of peach pancakes offers a vibrant contrast to the creamy cold brew, while the hint of mint provides a refreshing balance.
- Classic Scones or Muffins: A simple, buttery scone or a spiced apple muffin would also be an excellent pairing, soaking up the sweet cream flavors.
- Savory Breakfast Sandwich: For a delightful sweet and savory combination, enjoy your cold brew alongside a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and a hint of bacon.
Need some more inspiration for breakfast? Check out my breakfast recipes page!
Maple Sweet Cream Cold Brew
equipment
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Fine Mesh Strainers
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Mason Jars
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Electric Milk Frother
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French Wire Whisk
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
ingredients
- 4 oz ground coffee of your choice I used Brazilian blend
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 4 tsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 cups cold brew coffee concentrate
- 1 cup water
instructions
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Combine ground coffee and water in a container and stir thoroughly. For instance, use two mason jars with 2 oz coffee and 2 cups water in each. Let it steep in the refrigerator overnight, or for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours, for best flavor extraction. Afterward, strain the concentrate using a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove all grounds, and store the finished brew in the fridge until ready to use.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until smooth and well combined. This mixture can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
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Fill your serving glass generously with ice. Pour 1 cup of the prepared cold brew concentrate into the glass, then add ¼ cup of cold water. Stir gently to ensure the concentrate is well diluted to your preferred strength.
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Add the maple cream mixture to an electric milk frother and select the cold froth setting. Run until the cream is light, fluffy, and visibly increased in volume. If you don’t have a frother, you can add the mixture to a blender, pulsing ½ cup at a time for about 10-15 seconds until it becomes thick and airy.
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Finally, spoon a generous amount of the frothed maple sweet cream over the top of your iced cold brew. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful layers of flavor and texture.
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