International Delight Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer Recipe

I made International Delight Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer because I didn’t want to spend money buying a new bottle every week.

Before, I used to buy the store-bought one all the time, but sometimes it tastes a little artificial, or too sweet, or it separates in iced coffee, and I was like… why am I still buying this? So I started making my own.

And this recipe is a copycat International Delight version — same creamy caramel flavor, same smooth vanilla notes, same sweet coffeehouse vibe — but better, fresher, and you can even make it sugar-free, vegan, keto, or use real ingredients.

 

How to Make International Delight Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer

Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer is a sweet, creamy, vanilla-caramel flavored coffee creamer that you can make at home using milk, cream, caramel sauce, vanilla, and a sweetener. It mixes beautifully in iced coffee, hot coffee, cold brews, and even lattes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk (you can also use 2% but whole milk gives the closest match to the real thing)
• 1 cup heavy cream (for richness; you can substitute below)
• 3–4 tbsp caramel sauce (homemade caramel or store-bought, like Ghirardelli — YES, it affects flavor quality)
• 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk (adds thickness + that classic creamer sweetness)
• 2–3 tbsp sugar or maple syrup (adjust to taste; International Delight is very sweet)
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract (pure vanilla, not imitation, for that “macchiato” depth)
• A pinch of salt (tiny pinch to balance caramel; don’t skip it)

Optional but recommended:

• 1 tbsp brown sugar (gives a deeper caramel undertone)
• 1–2 drops caramel extract (totally optional but enhances flavor)

Instructions:

1. Warm the Base: Take a small saucepan and add whole milk + heavy cream. Heat it on low (don’t boil, same rule as mocha drinks — overheating breaks the fat). Slowly warm it until slightly steamy.
2. Mix in Caramel + Sweetener: Add caramel sauce, condensed milk, and sugar (or maple syrup). Whisk it and dissolve properly. When it becomes smooth and glossy, you’re doing it right.
3. Add Vanilla + Salt: Turn off the heat and whisk in vanilla extract and a tiny pinch of salt. This little salt step makes the caramel taste stronger, sweeter, and deeper.
4. Cool & Bottle: Let the creamer cool for 10–15 minutes. Pour it into a glass bottle or mason jar. Seal it tightly.
5. Chill Before Using: Store it in the refrigerator for at least 2–3 hours before using. It thickens slightly and tastes exactly like International Delight Caramel Macchiato Creamer, but homemade.

Tips: Shake well before each use. Natural homemade creamers separate a little — totally normal.

 

Ingredient Substitutions

• Milk Options: Use oat milk, soy, almond milk, or even coconut milk if you want dairy-free. Coconut milk will give extra creaminess.
• Cream Alternatives: Swap heavy cream with half-and-half, or use full-fat coconut milk for vegan.
• Sweetener Swaps: Maple syrup (rich flavor), Honey, Monk fruit or erythritol for low-calorie, Sugar-free caramel syrup
• Caramel Options: Use homemade caramel, Store-bought caramel (Ghirardelli or Torani), Sugar-free caramel sauce if you’re making a keto version

For inspiration with caramel-style sauces, you can check this: Torani white chocolate sauce recipe.

 

Tips to Make the Perfect Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer

• Don’t boil the milk. If you overheat it, it curdles or becomes grainy, the same as mocha drinks. Keep the heat low only.
• Use high-quality caramel. Low-quality caramel tends to be overly sweet or artificial. Real caramel always tastes better.
• Add vanilla at the end. If you heat vanilla too much, its flavor weakens.
• Salt is your friend. Even a pinch enhances caramel flavor dramatically.
• Shake before use. Homemade creamers naturally settle — nothing wrong with it.
• Want it thicker? Add 1 extra tablespoon of condensed milk.
• Want it thinner? Add 2–3 tablespoons of cold milk before shaking.

If you love experimenting with chocolate drinks too, you can also make the Crockpot Hot Chocolate with Instant Mix.

 

What to Serve With Homemade Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer

Pastries & Baked Goods

• Croissants — The buttery, flaky texture works perfectly with sweet caramel coffee.
• Cinnamon Rolls — Their warm sweetness matches caramel just like a Starbucks pairing.
• Chocolate croissants — If you want a deeper, richer bite.
• Banana bread — Especially almond flour banana bread if you want it healthier.
• If you like fruity pairings, you can also check this treat: luxury chocolate covered strawberries.
• Biscotti — Either almond or chocolate mocha biscotti (similar to what I suggested in peppermint mocha posts).

Cookies, Treats & Sweet Snacks

• Chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies — Buttery, crispy, and perfect with caramel.
• Girl Scout Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies — Their soft, chewy texture tastes awesome with caramel-flavored coffee.
• Chocolate fudge with marshmallow fluff — Rich and indulgent.
• Chocolate-covered pretzel rods — Sweet + salty is always a win.
• Milano-style cookies — Light caramel flavors pair great with chocolate cookies.

Light Bites & Savory Options

Caramel + savory = balance. So these work beautifully:

• Simple cheese platter — Brie, Havarti, and cheddar with crackers.
• Buttered crostini with cheese — The saltiness matches the sweetness of caramel.
• Spinach and feta pastries — A little creamy and tangy.
• Salted nuts — Almonds, pecans, pistachios (my personal favorite).

These are great if you want a balanced snack with your caramel coffee.

 

Caramel Macchiato Variations

You can make a lot of variations with this base creamer. And honestly, experimenting is half the fun.

Iced Caramel Macchiato Creamer

Use the same recipe, but chill it very well. Then pour over iced coffee. To keep it from watering down, add caramel drizzle on the sides of your glass and then add coffee.

Sugar-Free Caramel Macchiato Creamer

Just swap:

• Sugar → monk fruit or erythritol
• Caramel → sugar-free caramel syrup
• Condensed milk → sugar-free condensed milk or leave it out

Vegan Caramel Macchiato Creamer

Replace:

• Milk → oat or soy milk
• Cream → full-fat coconut milk
• Sweetener → agave syrup

Extra Rich “Dulce” Caramel Creamer

Add:

• 1–2 extra tablespoons of caramel
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• A drop of caramel extract

 

Nutrition & Cost Breakdown

Approximate values — depends on ingredients

• Calories (per 2 tbsp): ~60–80
• Sugar: ~6–10g
• Fat: ~3–5g
• Carbs: 6–8g

If you use oat milk + sugar-free sweetener, calories drop a lot.

Cost:

• Store-bought International Delight bottle = $4–$5
• Homemade (same quantity) = around $1.50

Same cost difference you see with homemade Starbucks drinks, like the Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha.

 

Caramel Macchiato Coffee Drinks You Can Make With This Creamer

• Classic Hot Caramel Coffee — 1–2 tbsp creamer + hot brewed coffee.
• Iced Caramel Macchiato — Espresso, ice, creamer, caramel drizzle.
• Caramel Cold Brew — Mix 1–2 tbsp creamer into cold brew.
• Caramel Latte Shortcut — Steam ½ cup creamer + ½ cup milk and pour over espresso.
• Caramel Protein Shake (Coffee Version) — Add creamer into a protein shake for a caramel-coffee flavor.

And if you enjoy chocolate-coffee hybrids, you can try the Iced Mocha Latte too:

 

Storage Instructions

• Store in the refrigerator for up to 7–10 days.
• Shake every use before.
• If it thickens, add 1–2 tablespoons of cold milk and shake again.
• Do not freeze — dairy separates badly.

 

Conclusion

This was the International Delight Caramel Macchiato Coffee Creamer Recipe, and honestly, making it at home is so much better than buying the store-bought one. 

You’ll save money, you’ll get a fresher taste, and you can even customize it for your own preference — like low-sugar, vegan, or extra caramel.

Plus, when you’re making it at home, you know exactly what you’re adding… no weird aftertaste, no additives, nothing artificial. 

And you can keep it in the fridge and use it anytime in your hot or iced coffee.

Btw, if you try to mix this creamer with any other coffee drinks than what I mentioned, or you experiment with the sweetness, caramel amount, or even other flavors, let me know how it goes. I love seeing how people customize their drinks.

 

FAQs

How long does homemade caramel macchiato coffee creamer last in the fridge?

You can store it for 7–10 days in an airtight glass jar. But I always recommend you shake it well before using because homemade creamers naturally separate. 

And don’t freeze it — it splits and becomes grainy.

Why did my caramel clump or sink to the bottom?

That usually happens if you add caramel on high heat or don’t whisk it enough. Therefore, you need to melt caramel smoothly only on low heat.

Also, you should use low-quality caramel sometimes to separate it faster. Try using a good brand like Ghirardelli or even homemade caramel, and whisk it properly.

Can I make this creamer dairy-free or sugar-free?

Yes, of course, you can. For dairy-free, use oat milk or soy milk, and replace cream with full-fat coconut milk.

For sugar-free, use monk fruit, erythritol, or a sugar-free caramel syrup. You can also skip condensed milk and still get a creamy texture.

If you adjust these things slowly, you will get the perfect taste according to your preference.