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Homemade Christmas Sugar Cookie Coffee Syrup Budget Gift

homemade christmas sugar cookie coffee syrup - featured image

This homemade Christmas sugar cookie coffee syrup is a budget-friendly gift that tastes like a holiday miracle. It’s a simple, delicious syrup made with browned butter, vanilla, and festive sprinkles, perfect for adding a touch of holiday cheer to your morning coffee.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon butter extract
  • 1/4 cup Christmas cookie sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Place the stick of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt completely, then continue to cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the milk solids turn golden brown and the butter smells nutty, about 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  2. Add the sugar and water: Immediately pour in the 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon. The mixture will bubble up and look separated at first; keep stirring.
  3. Bring to a simmer: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer (small bubbles breaking the surface). Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. The liquid will become clear and smooth.
  4. Simmer and infuse: Reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer gently for 5 minutes. Do not stir during this time to prevent crystallization.
  5. Remove from heat and add flavors: Take the pan off the burner. Stir in the 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of butter extract.
  6. Strain the syrup (optional): Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-safe bowl or directly into jars to remove any burnt bits or undissolved sprinkle pieces.
  7. Add the sprinkles (optional): If using, stir the Christmas cookie sprinkles into the strained syrup while it’s still warm.
  8. Cool and bottle: Let the syrup cool in the jars for 20-30 minutes at room temperature. It will thicken as it cools. Do not put lids on while hot. Once completely cool, seal the jars and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

The syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. The butter will solidify slightly when cold; run the jar under warm water or microwave for 10-15 seconds before using. For a dairy-free version, use a high-quality vegan butter designed for browning. To prevent crystallization, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or corn syrup when adding the sugar.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookie syrup, coffee syrup, homemade gift, Christmas syrup, browned butter syrup, holiday gift, budget gift