How To Make A French Café Crème

A French Café Crème is one of the best ways to start your day. A café crème is espresso and warm foamy milk. It takes less than 5 minutes and you will have a wonderfully warm and creamy café crème.

One of my favorite leisure activities to enjoy in Paris in the morning is going to one of my favorite Parisian cafés, ordering a café crème and croissant, and watching the sea of Parisians start their day.

Some would consider a café crème or un crème similar to a latte that we would order in the States. In France, a café crème is also referred to as a café au lait.

An espresso maker works best but you can also use either a French Press or regular strong coffee. I use my Nespresso Breville machine to make espresso.

A café crème is my favorite in Paris and one of 5 coffee options offered there, which all include espresso. The others are:

• Café– a shot of espresso which is usually bitter and strong.
• Noisette– a shot of espresso with a drop or two of milk or cream. It’s called a Noisette because once the espresso and cream come together it has a Hazelnut color.
• Filtré or Café Américain– An espresso shot with hot water. The French do not drink drip coffee so this is about as American as it gets.
• Allongé– espresso with extra hot water to dilute.

The lovely staff at the hotel we stayed in, Hotel Récamier brought two french café crème up to our room every morning. I looked forward to a Café Crème each day.

What is a French Café Crème

A café crème is espresso topped off with warm foamed milk. It’s what we would call a latte here in the states. Usually, day-old baguettes or croissants are served with a café crème for dipping.

The French do not use actual creme in their coffee and they only use whole milk. Only recently has coffee begun to take on a new appearance in Paris, and you can now find various milk options at some coffee shops.

When to Order a Café Crème

It might seem intuitive to order a café crème in the morning, but the French have their traditions, and milky drinks in France are usually consumed in the morning only. Ordering one after lunch or dinner isn’t as acceptable.

Ingredients to Use in a Café Crème

• 1 Nespresso Espresso Pod– I use a nespresso espresso pod with our Nespresso Breville maker
• 3-6 Shots of Espresso-If you are using an espresso maker
• 2-3 Cups Strong Coffee-From a french press or other coffee maker
• 1/2 Cup Whole Milk– whole milk is best for foaming, feel free to foam more milk if you choose
• Coffee Mug
• Optional: Baguette or Croissant for dipping
• Milk Frother

How to Make a Café Crème

• For a Nespresso maker- Use one espresso pod and make the espresso. While the espresso is dripping into the mug, put one sugar cube to dissolve into hot espresso.
• Then froth the milk, use whole milk for best froth.
• Spoon out froth and atop the espresso in the mug. Pour a little froth into the mug and mix.
• For either a French Press or strong coffee, make the coffee as needed and use a milk frother/steamer and follow directions as above.

Café Crème

How to make a Café Crème at home just like in Paris. This is my favorite drink first thing in the morning in Paris. So, I discovered how to make one at home.

The closest version of an American coffee to the Café Crème is a Cafe Au Lait. It's basically espresso with warm milk and froth.

3 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine French

Servings 1

Equipment

• Nespresso Maker OR
• Espresso Machine OR
• French Press
• Milk Frother/Steamer

Ingredients

  

• 1 Nespresso Espresso Pod OR I use a Nespresso machine to make mine but if you don't have a Nespresso, you can use any espresso maker or french press.
• 3-6 shots espresso OR
• 2-3 cups strong coffee
• 1 lump sugar cube
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

 

• For a Nespresso maker- Use one espresso pod and make the espresso. While the espresso is dripping into the mug, put one sugar cube to dissolve into hot espresso.
• Then froth the milk, use whole milk for best froth.
• Spoon out froth and atop the espresso in the mug. Pour a little froth into the mug and mix.
• For either a French Press or strong coffee, make the coffee as needed and use a milk frother/steamer and follow directions as above.

Notes

I used this Nespresso Breville on the espresso setting with one espresso pod. 

Then used the milk steam option to froth the milk. 

You will need a milk frother/steamer to froth the milk. 

Whole milk works best for full froth. 

This will make one café crème.

I used a whole sugar cube but feel free to use what you like. 

Keyword Cafè Cremé, Coffee, Espresso, Froth