Vanilla Steamer stirs homemade vanilla bean syrup into steamy milk, imparting a whisper of comfort in every sip. A Starbucks Copycat recipe! This post is sponsored by Milk Means More and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. All thoughts are my own.
My BFF Mads recently welcomed her first baby into the world. Our daily chats and endless supply of chubby-newborn-cheek photos–keep ’em coming, Mads!–have me reflecting on parenting and my own kids–particularly each of their distinct personalities. I swear that each of the Sons sprung forth from the womb with their personalities firmly in place. As a parent, all I can to is learn to work with those traits with the hope of helping shape them into fine young men.
Parenting is like an awesome, fatiguing, joyous, delirious, ever-changing thrill ride. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something will change. I’m convinced that parenting is designed to keep us adaptable.
Those of you with children may have a child that knows their mind, and doesn’t feel the need to compromise themselves to conform to the likes of others. For us, that child is Son #1. From birth he’s been our Old Soul–a smart, inquisitive, pensive boy that knows what he likes and cares little about stereotypical things that he’s expected to gravitate toward. While other babies were drawn to toys with a musical light show, Son #1 was terrified of the sudden noise, opting instead for making his own music with quiet toys. When boys his age were into action figures and rough & tumble play, Son #1 became enthralled with horses and designed elaborate stables for them with Lincoln Logs.
At the age when kids crave chocolate milk, Son #1 preferred plain. What can I say? He’s a less-is-more-wholesome kind of kid. For the longest time, I ordered a simple glass of milk for him during our weekly trip to Starbucks for sanity story time. During winter months, the other children enjoyed hot chocolate, but Son #1 favored plain, warmed milk. Until the day the barista offered him a Vanilla Steamer.
A Vanilla Steamer combines all the comfort of steamed milk with a drizzle of vanilla bean syrup for added contentment.
Son #1 was completely smitten. Since then, I keep a ready supply of homemade vanilla bean syrup in the refrigerator to make Vanilla Steamers anytime. Over the years, I’ve simplified the syrup recipe, making it a tad thicker than the original, so the vanilla flavor shines.
Simmering the milk on the stove top imparts a flavor closest to that of it’s barista-steamed cousin. A vigorous spin with a whisk through the hot milk yields a glorious foam, rivaling any coffee shop. Real vanilla bean syrup is so simple to make! It tastes infinitely better than chemical-laden alternatives of processed flavored syrups.
A vanilla steamer is a wholesome sipper that brings an element of serenity to the day.
Indulge in a creamy Vanilla Steamer at home!
Calories
Fat
Carbs
Protein
Kirsten Kubert
Yields 2
Real vanilla bean syrup stirred into steamy milk imparts a whisper of comfort in every sip.
5 minPrep Time
10 minCook Time
15 minTotal Time
Save RecipeIngredients
- 8 oz. (1 cup) water
- 1 ½ C. granulated sugar
- 1 whole vanilla bean
- 2 C. 2% milk
- 1 ½ Tbs. vanilla bean syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the vanilla bean syrup by splitting the vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise. Scrape the tiny seeds (called caviar) from inside the vanilla bean. Combine the sugar with the water in a medium saucepan. Stir in the vanilla bean caviar. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts and syrup reduces slightly; about 5 minutes. Float the now scraped vanilla bean pod in the syrup as it cools. Once the syrup cools to warm, pour the vanilla syrup into a glass jar through a fine mesh strainer.
- Heat the milk to a simmer in a small saucepan set over medium heat. The milk should be steaming with tiny bubbles around the edges. Remove the hot milk from the heat and stir in the warm vanilla syrup. Vigorously whisk the hot vanilla milk for 20 to 30 seconds to add froth. The higher the fat content in the milk, the more frothy the milk will appear.
- Pour the steaming vanilla milk evenly between two mugs, using a large spoon to hold back the froth. Once the mugs are full, gently spoon the froth over top.
- Store the remaining vanilla bean syrup in a jar with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator for one week.
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