If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and inexpensive homemade cappuccino recipe, then you’ve come to the right place.
Cappuccino is one of the most popular coffee beverages around the world, especially in Europe. First made in Italy, it’s a great way to relax and unwind at the end of the day.
The coffee market is booming, and with it comes an endless stream of new products, ideas, and techniques for brewing the perfect cup.
In this article, I’d like to share a recipe for a French vanilla cappuccino that’s extremely easy to make at home. Let’s get started!
What is a French vanilla cappuccino?
A French vanilla cappuccino is a coffee drink that is made with espresso, steamed milk, and foam that has been flavored with vanilla syrup.

This recipe is based on the classic recipe and uses the same espresso to milk ratio.
Just like the original cappuccino, a French vanilla cappuccino is made with 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and topped with 1/3 milk foam. For this version, the coffee is flavored with vanilla syrup.
Below, I’ll talk more about the ingredients needed to make this delicious coffee at home, give you some tips for preparation, and give you a step-by-step guide to making this drink at home.
What is a French vanilla cappuccino made of?
French vanilla cappuccino is made by combining espresso with steamed milk, topping it with milk foam, and then adding vanilla syrup.
To make this drink at home, you can collect the following ingredients:
- Milk of choice – I like to use whole milk for the fullest flavor. Feel free to use any milk you have at home, including your favorite milk alternative!
- Espresso coffee – You can make espresso coffee at home using various techniques, more on this below.
- Vanilla syrup can be either homemade or store-bought, whichever you prefer. I’ve listed a complete recipe for homemade vanilla syrup further in the article.

Now that you know about the ingredients that are used in making this drink, let’s dive into some of the best ways to prepare the components before putting them together into one amazing drink!
How do you make the best espresso at home?
There are a few different ways to make espresso coffee at home – you can use an espresso machine, a stovetop espresso maker, or an AeroPress.
- An espresso machine is the best way to make espresso coffee at home, but it can be expensive.
- A stovetop espresso maker, like the Moka pot, is a cheaper alternative to an espresso machine, and it works just as well.
- The AeroPress is a relatively cheap option that also produces great espresso-like coffee.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose one of the above-listed coffee brewers to produce the basis of this French vanilla cappuccino.

If you’re interested in checking out the pros and cons of the AeroPress and Moka pot, you can click on their name, and it’ll bring you to the article I’ve written!
How do you froth milk at home?
The best way to froth milk is to use a handheld milk frother. These are battery-operated or electrically-powered devices that consist of a small, whisk-like attachment that you put into a cup of milk.
You then hold the handheld frother against the bottom of the cup and move it up and down quickly, causing the whisk to spin and create foam.

You can also use the steaming pipe attached to your espresso machine (if you have one).
I’ve made a great list of six different ways to froth milk at home. I’ll show you a step-by-step guide for all six different ways in this article.
How do you make vanilla syrup?
You can make vanilla syrup at home with just a few ingredients. All you need is some water, white granulated sugar, a vanilla bean, or some vanilla extract.
You’ll finish it in about five minutes, and you can use it directly after making it or store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Once finished and stored, it’ll look like this:

The flavor is quite intense, perfect for sweetening this French vanilla cappuccino.
You can check out this complete recipe if you want to try making this syrup yourself.
How much caffeine does a French vanilla cappuccino have?
A typical serving of French vanilla cappuccino contains about 68mg of caffeine. However, there are variations among different brands and blend of coffee beans.
For example, an espresso made with blonde roasted coffee beans is higher in caffeine than an espresso made with a dark roast.
Espresso beans are most commonly used to brew espresso coffee. Want to know the difference between espresso beans and coffee beans? You can find more information here.

This recipe uses one espresso shot to create equal parts of espresso and milk for the cappuccino. If you’d instead use a double espresso shot, your cappuccino will have 136mg of caffeine. (source)
I suggest preparing your coffee with your preferred coffee beans. I like to use a dark roast for my espressos, but you might not like the robust flavor that it gives.
Now, let’s get into the recipe so you can give this drink a try at home:
Easy French Vanilla Cappuccino

This cappuccino with homemade vanilla syrup is the perfect start to the day!
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) of whole milk
- One espresso shot
- 1 tbsp (15 grams) of vanilla syrup
Instructions
- Start by brewing your espresso shots. I'm using an espresso machine today.
- Meanwhile, steam the milk and make sure there's a nice layer of foam on top.
- In a cup of choice, add the vanilla syrup to the bottom.
- Pour in the hot espresso shot and optionally give it a good stir.
- Then, pour the steamed milk into the glass and top it with a good layer of foam.
- Serve as soon as possible, sprinkle with cinnamon if desired, and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 92Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2.2gUnsaturated Fat: 0.9gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 49mgCarbohydrates: 10.4gSugar: 11.3gProtein: 3.9g
How many calories does a French vanilla cappuccino have?
A French vanilla cappuccino typically contains around 90 calories. This might be lower depending on the milk you’re using at home.
If you’re following the recipe listed above and are using whole milk, the calories are as follows:
- The whole milk makes up for 73 calories
- The homemade vanilla syrup has 19 calories
Almond milk is an excellent substitute for whole milk. It tastes great and is quite a bit lower in calories.
I suggest making this delicious coffee with the milk you have in the fridge. Although not all kinds of milk produce the same amount of foam, you’ll still make a great-tasting French vanilla cappuccino without that much trouble!
Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and have been empowered to make your own delicious French vanilla cappuccinos at home.
It’s a delicious, creamy coffee drink that is perfect for any time of day.
If you follow the tips in this article, you’re sure to create a coffee that is just as good – if not better – than what you would get at your favorite café.
Do you like espresso-based coffees? Have a look below for some of my favorites you can try the next time around!