Add some Starbucks sparkle to your favorite iced drinks by making this copycat Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam! This creamy-nutty-salty-sweet topper is the newest addition to the coffee giant’s fall menu, and I have a feeling you’re gonna love it.
At this point, making copycat versions of Starbucks’ fall lineup is basically a full-time job! Not that you’ll hear me complaining—drinking iced apple crisp macchiatos, pumpkin spice frappuccinos, and iced pumpkin cream chai lattes is something I’d happily do for free!
But year after year, the coffee chain comes out with new crave-worthy concoctions. Recently, I’ve been diving into all the yummy drinks they’ve been making with their pecan syrup. Doesn’t a salted pecan cream cold brew or an iced pecan crunch oat milk latte sound delightful???
So, if you want to give your favorite iced coffee and cold brew drinks a quick little fall-inspired glow-up, add a layer of this sweet n’ creamy pecan-flavored cold brew cold foam! Trust me—you won’t regret it.
Jump to:
- What is salted pecan cream cold foam?
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Salted Pecan Cold Foam Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make Starbucks Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- DIY Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam Nutrition
- Other Starbucks Fall Recipes
- Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam (Starbucks Copycat)
What is salted pecan cream cold foam?
Starbucks first introduced cold foam way back in 2014 at their flagship Seattle store, but didn’t fully roll it out until 2018. The concept is simple: a foamy coffee topper akin to steamed milk foam on a latte, but for iced drinks. If you’ve yet to try it, the consistency is a bit richer—I like to think of it as a cross between whipped cream and latte foam.
Most Starbucks versions are sweetened with various flavors of their coffee syrups, though it could certainly work without any flavoring. This particular cold foam recipe is sweetened with pecan syrup and flavored with a pinch of salt. Yum!
What does it taste like?
This salted pecan cream cold foam takes your sips from good to "I-can't-stop-drinking-this" incredible. Each frothy, creamy-dreamy dollop is kissed with homemade pecan syrup, bringing a sweet nuttiness that's perfectly balanced by just a hint of salt. Honestly, it tastes like melted butter pecan ice cream!
Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Salted Pecan Cold Foam Recipe
- Quick & Easy - All you need is about 2 minutes to whip up a batch, so it’s doable even on busy mornings.
- Just 4 Simple Ingredients - Milk, cream, syrup, and salt—so simple, no weirdness! And if you’re making your own flavoring, you only need to add sugar, pecans, and water to the list.
- Versatile - It’s equally yummy dolloped on a cold brew, iced latte, coffee boba, brown sugar shaken espresso, or iced chai! I can also see it being yummy on a piece of pie… 🤔
Ingredients Needed
As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make pecan-flavored sweet cream cold foam:
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk - Using a 2:1 cream-to-milk ratio ensures a deliciously fluffy consistency.
- Pecan Syrup - For imbuing the cold foam with rich, nutty flavor. While you can certainly buy a bottle of Monin or Torani, my homemade version is easy to make and will save you big bucks.
- Fine Sea Salt - A touch of salt helps balance out the sweetness and brings the full flavor of pecans to the forefront.
Substitutions
Need to make some changes? Here are my favorite substitutions:
- Heavy Cream - For a non-dairy version, use full-fat canned coconut milk or vegan whipped cream.
- Whole Milk - Full-fat oat milk will work, too! If possible, use a “barista blend” for superior froth-ability.
- Pecan Syrup - Feel free to swap in any other coffee syrup you like. I recommend roasty toasty flavors like hazelnut, macadamia nut, caramel, or even toasted marshmallow.
- Fine Sea Salt - Kosher salt also works! Just note that depending on the brand, you may want to add an extra pinch.
How To Make Starbucks Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam
Making Starbucks salted pecan cold foam is as easy as 1-2-3!
Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a small glass or jar.
Step 2: Froth with a milk frother for 15-30 seconds, or until foamy.
Step 3: Pour over a sweetened cold brew or a chai latte! Drink up!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Dairy-Free/Vegan - Simply swap in any of the vegan-friendly dairy alternatives listed in the “substitutions” section above! You may also need to ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly.
- Sugar-Free - Buy or make sugar-free toasted pecan syrup by swapping in the cup-for-cup sugar alternative of your choosing. I personally love monkfruit!
- Salt-Free - While there’s not a ton of salt in here, some of you may be on a strict no-salt diet. If so, you can either omit it, or add ⅛ teaspoon of butter extract to help mimic the flavor. Note that some butter extracts contain salt, so read your labels!
Serving Suggestions
This sumptuous salted pecan cream foam is the perfect companion for a variety of beverages and sweet treats. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
- Cold Brew or Iced Coffee: Add a generous scoop to your favorite cold brew or iced coffee for a nutty, creamy twist that enhances the rich, deep flavors of the coffee. For a fall special, mix in a dash of apple brown sugar or pumpkin spice syrup to the coffee before adding the foam.
- Iced Lattes: Whether you prefer a classic iced latte or something with a bit more seasonal flair, top it with this creamy pecan-infused foam. Iced pumpkin spice lattes and iced caramel apple lattes seem like the perfect places to start!
- Iced Chai or Tea Lattes: Transform your iced chai or other iced tea latte into a festive fall drink with a layer of salted pecan cream cold foam.
- Dessert Toppings: Dollop this creamy foam on top of fall desserts like pumpkin pie or apple crisp for a luxurious finishing touch that melds wonderfully with warm spices and fruit fillings.
- DIY Starbucks-Inspired Drinks: Recreate any of your favorite Starbucks seasonal drinks at home by starting with this foam.
- Hot Beverages on Cool Days: Although ideal for cold drinks, don't hesitate to spoon some over hot coffee or hot chocolate on a chilly day for a comforting, creamy boost. Just note that it’ll melt into hot drinks quickly, so it acts more as a coffee creamer.
Recipe Success Tips
- Invest in a milk frother. They’re inexpensive and make short work of frothing the creamy mixture into a foam! You can certainly use a whisk and some arm power if you prefer, but I personally choose the easiest path whenever I can.
- Get a head-start. If my morning is shaping up to be particularly bonkers, I like to mix all the ingredients for this cold foam the night before. That way, there’s just one step between me and coffee-topping heaven!
- Fat is your friend. It might be tempting to make a low-fat version of cold foam, but it won’t end the way you want. The cold fat is what helps to hold the bubbles in place and keep the foam nice and frothy.
FAQs
Unfortunately, I haven’t yet figured out how to make any flavor of Starbucks cold foam in advance. The best you can do is measure out the ingredients in advance and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready for frothing.
You *might* be able to find nut-free pecan extract, which you can use to flavor basic simple syrup and make a nut-free version. If not, I recommend swapping in another nut-free flavored syrup that pairs well with salt—caramel cold foam immediately comes to mind!
It’s designed to be used as a topper for cold drinks, but you’re welcome to use it like a loose version of whipped cream on your favorite sweet breakfast or fall dessert! For more ideas, hop up to the “serving suggestions” section.
DIY Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam Nutrition
Each serving clocks in at about 151 calories, which shouldn’t break the calorie bank. It also has 11 grams of fat per serving, largely because of the cream, but that’s what makes it so creamy and delicious. It’s got just one gram of protein—not much. The sodium hovers at 308 mg, which isn't insignificant, but it's manageable within the context of a balanced day.
Carb-wise, we’re looking at 12 grams per serving, all of which are sugars, most of which from the toasted pecan syrup that gives it its signature sweetness. You’re welcome to swap in a sugar-free syrup to lighten the load, though!
So while it's definitely a treat, this pecan cream cold foam is a lovely, indulgent way to jazz up your coffee without going overboard, perfect for those days when you want a little something special. Enjoy every sip!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 151 calories
- Total Fat: 11 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Sodium: 308 mg
- Carbohydrates: 12 grams
- Sugar: 12 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Starbucks Fall Recipes
Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk)
- 1 tablespoon whole milk (or full fat oat milk)
- 1 tablespoon pecan syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small glass or jar and froth with a milk frother for 15-30 seconds, or until foamy.
- Pour over a sweetened cold brew or a chai latte! Drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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