If you’re a fan of both coffee and peanut butter, this Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew is your new go-to drink! Creamy, nutty, slightly sweet, and packed with bold coffee flavor, this easy-to-make beverage is both indulgent and wholesome. Naturally protein-packed, it’s the perfect treat for a busy morning, afternoon pick-me-up, or whenever you’re craving a delicious twist on iced coffee. Plus, it’s way cheaper than your favorite coffee shop version!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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1 cup cold brew coffee (store-bought or homemade)
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2 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy, unsweetened)
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¼ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy, like oat milk)
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1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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Ice cubes
Optional for Garnish:
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Extra peanut butter drizzle
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A sprinkle of cinnamon
Directions
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Blend the Peanut Butter and Milk: In a blender, combine the peanut butter and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
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Add the Cold Brew and Sweeteners: Pour in the cold brew coffee, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Blend again until smooth and frothy.
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Serve Over Ice: Fill a tall glass with ice cubes, then pour the blended mixture over the ice.
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Optional Garnish: Drizzle a little extra peanut butter or sprinkle cinnamon on top for extra flavor and decoration. Stir well and enjoy!
Nutrients (per serving, approximate)
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Calories: 250
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Carbohydrates: 30g
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Protein: 6g
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Fat: 14g
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Saturated Fat: 4g
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Cholesterol: 10mg
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Sodium: 100mg
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Potassium: 300mg
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 16g
Why Cold Brew Coffee?
The base of this delicious beverage is cold brew coffee, which offers a smooth, mellow flavor that pairs wonderfully with the richness of peanut butter. Cold brew is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period (usually 12-24 hours). This process creates a coffee that is less acidic and smoother than regular hot-brewed coffee, making it an ideal base for creamy drinks like the Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew. Its less bitter, more robust flavor allows the peanut butter and sweeteners to shine through without being overpowered by the natural acidity found in traditional hot coffee.
Using cold brew also means you get the full benefit of coffee’s energizing effects without the harshness that can come from hot-brewed coffee. The result is a refreshing, invigorating drink that gives you the caffeine boost you need without the bitterness, making it a perfect choice for those sensitive to the acidity of regular coffee.
Peanut Butter: A Creamy, Nutty Addition
Peanut butter is the star ingredient in this drink, adding a creamy texture and a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the coffee. Beyond its delicious taste, peanut butter also contributes a good amount of protein and healthy fats, making the Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew a more filling and sustaining option than a traditional iced coffee. The combination of protein and healthy fats provides sustained energy, making it an excellent choice for breakfast or as an afternoon snack when you need a little extra fuel.
The peanut butter adds a richness to the drink that would be hard to replicate with any other ingredient. The natural oils in the peanut butter combine with the milk (dairy or non-dairy) to create a smooth, velvety consistency that coats the mouth with every sip. Whether you opt for creamy or crunchy peanut butter, the resulting flavor is undeniably delicious and adds an element of comfort to the coffee.
Customizable Milk Options
Another key ingredient in this beverage is the milk, which helps to create the creamy texture and helps balance out the boldness of the cold brew. While dairy milk is a traditional choice, the drink is fully customizable to suit a variety of dietary preferences. Non-dairy alternatives like oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk can all be used to suit your needs. Oat milk, in particular, is a popular option due to its naturally creamy texture, which makes it a great pairing with peanut butter.
If you’re looking for a lighter version of the Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew, you could opt for low-fat milk or a reduced-fat non-dairy alternative. On the other hand, for a richer, more indulgent drink, you could go for full-fat dairy milk or a creamier non-dairy alternative like coconut milk. The flexibility of the milk option ensures that everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, can enjoy a delicious cup of this unique coffee beverage.
Sweetening the Drink
Sweetening the Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew is essential to balancing out the strong flavors of coffee and peanut butter. Maple syrup is a fantastic natural sweetener, adding a rich, earthy sweetness that complements the nutty flavor of the peanut butter. If maple syrup is not your preference, honey or agave nectar can be used instead. These alternatives offer a smoother sweetness without the sharpness of refined sugars, giving the drink a more natural and less processed taste. Adjusting the amount of sweetener allows you to control the level of sweetness in the drink to suit your personal taste.
For those who want to reduce sugar intake, using a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener is also an option. These sweeteners allow you to enjoy the sweetness without adding extra calories, making this beverage even more customizable to your health and dietary goals.
The Vanilla Extract: Enhancing the Flavor
A dash of vanilla extract adds an extra layer of flavor that elevates the entire drink. Vanilla has a warm, comforting taste that blends well with both the coffee and peanut butter, enhancing the overall richness of the beverage. Vanilla also adds a slight sweetness without being overpowering, and it complements the nutty notes of the peanut butter and the depth of the cold brew. It’s a small addition, but it makes a significant difference in the drink’s overall flavor profile.
You can also experiment with vanilla bean paste or a flavored vanilla syrup if you prefer a stronger vanilla flavor. The versatility of vanilla allows you to fine-tune the drink to your personal taste, giving it just the right amount of flavor enhancement.
Serving and Customization
One of the most appealing aspects of the Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew is how easily it can be customized. For those who enjoy their coffee with an extra kick, adding a shot of espresso is a great way to intensify the flavor and boost the caffeine content. Espresso’s strong, bold flavor blends seamlessly with the cold brew and peanut butter, giving the drink an extra punch.
If you’re a fan of cold coffee but prefer to keep it light and refreshing, you can skip the espresso and simply enjoy the smooth, mellow taste of cold brew with the creamy peanut butter mixture. Additionally, for a fancier touch, you can make coffee ice cubes by freezing leftover cold brew and using them in place of regular ice cubes. This ensures your drink stays cold without diluting the flavor as the ice melts.
To top it all off, a drizzle of extra peanut butter or a sprinkle of cinnamon can be added for both decoration and additional flavor. These optional garnishes enhance the presentation of the drink and can make it feel even more indulgent, especially if you’re serving it as a treat for guests or as a special afternoon snack.
A Perfect Morning or Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
The Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew is the perfect solution for those busy mornings when you need both a caffeine boost and a satisfying snack. The combination of coffee, peanut butter, and milk provides a balanced source of energy and nutrition, giving you sustained focus and fullness to power through your day. It’s also an ideal choice for a mid-day treat when you’re looking for something more filling than a regular coffee but still need that pick-me-up to keep you going.
Whether you’re enjoying it on your own or sharing it with friends, this drink is perfect for any time of day. Its creamy, nutty flavor makes it an indulgent treat, but its balance of caffeine, protein, and healthy fats also makes it a practical and functional beverage to keep you energized and satisfied.
Conclusion
The Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew is a delicious, indulgent, and highly customizable coffee beverage that’s perfect for anyone who loves both coffee and peanut butter. With its smooth, creamy texture and balanced sweetness, it offers the perfect balance of flavors that is both satisfying and energizing. The beauty of this drink lies in its versatility—you can adjust the coffee strength, sweetness, and creaminess to your liking, making it suitable for a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you enjoy it as a quick morning beverage, a post-workout snack, or a mid-afternoon treat, the Peanut Butter Cream Cold Brew is sure to become your go-to coffee drink. By making it at home, you save money while still enjoying a coffeehouse-quality beverage, and you can customize it exactly to your tastes. This drink is more than just a coffee—it’s an experience that combines indulgence, nourishment, and refreshment all in one.