I drink a lot of coffee – I know, I know – its not very good but it tastes great. I’m trying to sneak extra calories into my diet and hot drinks are a convenient way to do so. I like plain coffee brewed strong, but then the fun of adding carbs and fats begins. If its available, I’ll use heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup. Now, I love a 250 calorie cup of joe, but I can’t afford $5-$6 for these small bottles of vanilla syrup that are gone in a few days.

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar in a stovetop pot. After the first cup dissolves, turn the heat up high and add the second cup of water and the second cup of sugar. Continue stirring, and add 1 table-spoon of vanilla extract as the mixture comes to a boil. When the sugar completely dissolves and the extract is evenly distributed, reduce the heat to a slow simmer and continue heating, covered. Occasionally stir and remove the lid to allow excess steam to escape.

Let the syrup cool and/or transfer it to a heat-safe, covered container. That’s it! Boil some water, add 50 cents worth of sugar, and you’ve got a $6 bottle of gourmet vanilla syrup. Warning: This stuff is addictive. I’m pretty sure it had something to do with the rise of Starbucks.