Homemade Caramel Frappuccino — This drink is too good to be true! It’s cold, creamy, rich, and satisfying, plus it’s easy to customize. Way BETTER than Starbucks!
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Better-Than-Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Recipe
I can suck down iced coffees like nobody’s business and would go broke if I had to buy them out. A $5 dollar drink lasts me maybe 63 seconds.
Which is why this copycat Starbucks Frappuccino recipe is perfect. It’s icy and bulkier, so it takes me longer to inhale.
This caramel frappuccino recipe makes two large drinks. If you were at Starbucks, we’re talking two venti drinks. Feel free to halve the recipe, or quarter it, if you’re not as much of a java addict or power drinker.
If you don’t inhale it all right away and let the drink melt while you’re taking too many photos, the coffee will begin to separate and fall to the bottom of the mug. Give it a quick stir and problem solved.
Homemade caramel Frappuccinos are creamy, frothy, foamy, fluffy, and satisfying. Even better, the recipe is ready in about 1 minute, I can quench my thirst, save money, and get my caffeine on, in one fell swoop.
Caramel sauce, whipped cream, and coffee are three of my favorite food groups.
Ingredients in a Caramel Frappuccino
To make this copycat Starbucks caramel Frappuccino recipe, you’ll need:
- Ice cubes
- Brewed coffee, allowed to cool completely
- Milk of choice
- Sweetener of choice (white stevia powder, liquid vanilla stevia drops, Splenda, or granulated sugar)
- Vanilla extract (optional but recommended)
- Fat-free whipped topping (or whipped cream)
- Caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought, may use sugar-free if desired)
How to Make a Caramel Frappuccino
If you’ve never made a caramel Frappuccino at home, you’re in for a treat! The process is so simple. If you’ve made a smoothie before, you can make a Frappuccino yourself.
- To make this caramel Frappuccino, simply combine all the ingredients (minus the two garnishes) in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Give it a taste and adjust the flavors as needed, adding more milk or coffee as you see fit.
- Pour your Frappuccino into a large glass and dollop whipped topping on top, followed by a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- This caramel Frappuccino is best enjoyed right away, but it’s still delicious even after it melts a bit.
Tips for the Best Caramel Frappuccino
Instead of brewed, fully cooled coffee, you can also freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use coffee cubes instead of some of the ice cubes. Your Frappuccino would be incredibly strong, but some people may like that!
Also, you can find cold brew coffee in most stores now, so feel free to use that instead of coffee you brewed and chilled yourself.
Just double check that your store-bought coffee has no sugar in it, as that may make your drink too sweet.
Recipe FAQs
Not at all! I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but you may use any dairy or non-dairy milk you like. I just recommend using unsweetened milk, otherwise your drink will come out far too sweet.
Yep! You can use any sweetener you’d like. Just add in a little at a time until you figure out exactly how much you like.
And if you don’t like sweet drinks, you can always omit the sweetener and make a blended caramel iced coffee instead.
Totally! I recommend making the full recipe and putting the extra portion in the freezer, and the next time you want one, it’s ready. No need to dirty the blender.
All you have to do is let it defrost a bit, either 30 minutes at room temp or about 1 minute in the microwave. Or you can kind of pick at it, granita-style.
Just note that if you plan on freezing part of your homemade caramel frappuccino, you should wait to top it with whipped topping and caramel sauce until just before you eat it.
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Homemade Caramel Frappuccino
Ingredients
- 3 cups ice cubes, 3 big handfuls of cubed ice, not crushed ice
- 1 cup cold strong coffee, previously brewed and chilled
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, or your favorite milk
- sugar-free sweetener, white stevia powder, liquid vanilla stevia drops, Splenda, or your favorite, to taste
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 2 tablespoons fat free whipped topping, for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon sugarfree caramel sauce, for garnishing
Instructions
- Combine first 5 ingredients in the canister of a blender and blend until smooth, creamy, fluffy, frothy, and combined, less than 1 minute.
- Taste, and if necessary, adjust with a splash more coffee, milk, dash of sweetener, or a few ice cubes.
- Garnish with whipped topping and caramel sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I love coming up with skinny coffee drinks and this one does sound too good to be true!
oh yum. definitely trying this!!
Try adding a pinch of xanthan gum to the mix – it’s Starbuck’s secret to keeping their drinks from separating.
Good idea – I have them, but most people don’t keep them on hand, so I didn’t want to include something that many wouldn’t have or even know what they were :) But since I do have them both, I’ll try it!
I don’t own a coffee maker but if I did I would be whipping this up right now! It looks creamy and refreshing.
Omg you need to fix that! $14.99 Mr. Coffee. Works as good at $400 machines :)
I want to marry this. Seriously.
lol :)
I’m a starbucks addict and I seriously cry when I fork over the money. I could drink these all day, every day! Especially during the summer, so I can save my money for starbucks trips when I’m back at school with no kitchen or blender. :)
GIRL!!! Save your money! You’re a student! Now you can DIY!
This looks absolutely DIVINE and only 50 calories! This means we can have 2 – 3 at least a day. It does look much prettier then Starbuck’s :)
Cheers,
J+C
2-3x/day = YES :)
This stuff looks amazing!!! I can’t believe it’s only 50 calories, that’s like way too good to be true. I need to make this as soon as possible. It actually looks better than Starbucks’ Oh My-
Thanks!
Caramel frappuccinos are the best! And the fact that this one is only 50 calories, even more perfect ;) Thanks for sharing another goodie!
http://www.speakstyleandrock.com
Whaaaaaat?! This needs to happen in my kitchen rather quickly! Oh my word! It looks amazing, Averie!
Really?! 50 calories?! I’m in!! This looks drooling good to me, and I’m totally with you – I wanna chew rather than slurp my calories!
Oh my gosh, lady! Not only you know your brownies and cookies — these cold drinks are simply tempting!!
Thanks, Kiran! :)
This is one gorgeous frap, I’d happily suck one (ok two!) down as I’m reading by the pool :).
You’re by a pool and reading? Omg I need to be there :)
I looove Starbuck’s fraps! I get mine made with soy milk and have to pass on the whipped cream and toppings, but they are so delicious every single time. The mocha coconut is to die for.
now you can save yourself the time and money and make it!
Looking forward to trying this recipe 50 calories per serving cant beat that!
Alll of your ice coffee drinks look ooo sooo delicious! Love that this is low on the calories as well. Great recipe Averie! :)
thanks Eric!