This Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino copycat recipe tastes just like the real thing! Sweet, creamy, and decadent, this coffee drink is sure to please your sweet tooth.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I really love the Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks, so you know I had to make my own copycat recipe! This sweet frozen drink is delicious and perfect when you want dessert and your coffee in one. This is my absolute favorite way to have coffee on hot summer days, and I bet you’ll love it, too!
- TASTE: Sweet and rich, this Caramel Frappuccino is made with vanilla ice cream and white chocolate powder. It may be a drink, but it tastes like a decadent dessert.
- TEXTURE: The ice cream in this drink makes it really creamy. Small pieces of ice keep it cold, but don’t take away from the smoothness.
- TIME: This 5-minute drink is worth every second.
- EASE: It is ridiculously easy to make this yummy coffee drink. Just brew the espresso and blend the ingredients.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Vanilla ice cream- Use good-quality ice cream for the best flavor and richness.
- Crushed (or cubed) ice– This is the base of the frappuccino. The smaller the ice cube, the faster it will blend into smaller pieces.
- Coffee- Double shot espresso (or espresso powder if you don’t have an espresso machine).
- Granulated sugar– We use just a little bit to add sweetness to the frappuccino.
- Ghirardelli white chocolate powder– This adds a sweet, chocolatey flavor that goes well with the vanilla ice cream.
- Caramel syrup– I used Torani caramel sauce, but any caramel will work here.
- Whipped cream– A dollop of whipped cream on top is a great way to make this drink extra special and look just like what Starbucks serves.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute the ice cream- To make it a little lighter, you can use whole milk, heavy cream, or 2% milk, or even non-dairy milk like soy or coconut, in its place. But I would increase the sugar and also add a little vanilla extract to keep the flavor consistent.
- Make it decaf- Want the caffeine-free version of this coffee drink? Use decaf espresso instead.
- Substitute with coffee- Using coffee in this drink is fine, but because you’re adding more liquid, you’ll need to adjust the amount of ice and ice cream to keep the texture thick and creamy.
- No whipped cream? Try this- You don’t want to miss the whipped cream on this gorgeous treat, so if you’ve got none on hand, try my chantilly cream recipe. It will definitely do the trick!
How to Make a Caramel Frappuccino
- Mix the sugar and white chocolate powder. In a mug, combine the granulated sugar with the white chocolate powder.
- Add the espresso. Pour a double shot (about 2 oz.) of espresso right over the sugars in the mug and mix well.
- Put the ice cream and ice in the blender. Add your crushed ice and ice cream to the blender.
- Add the sweetened espresso. Pour the espresso mixture into the blender and place the lid on firmly. Now blend at high speed for 20-30 seconds, or until the ice is finely blended.
- Serve. Drizzle a little caramel sauce onto the sides of the serving cup and then pour the frappe inside. Then top with a generous amount of whipped cream and some extra caramel sauce.
Pro Tip: Use crushed ice for a smoother drink that blends quickly. Cubed ice can be used, but it will take longer to blend.
Recipe Tips
- Make your own espresso if you have no machine– If you don’t have an espresso machine, don’t worry. You can also mix 2 teaspoons of espresso powder with 2 oz. of boiling water for the same effect.
- Use crushed ice- If possible, stick with crushed ice over cubed because the longer the blender runs to break it down, the warmer the mixture gets. Crushed ice is always faster as it’s already broken down.
- Don’t skimp on the caramel sauce- To get the Starbucks feeling, make sure you go the extra step and drizzle your serving cup with caramel sauce and more on top. Plus, your caramel frappuccino will look amazing.
- Use fresh ice– Ice that’s been in the freezer a while begins to take on smells and flavors of the things around it. Fresh ice will give your drink the best flavor.
FAQs
The basic ingredients used in the popular Starbucks drink are coffee, milk, ice, Coffee Frappuccino syrup, and caramel sauce. This copycat recipe adds sweet richness with vanilla ice cream and white chocolate powder, as well as espresso instead of coffee for a more potent kick.
When making a homemade frappuccino, use espresso or coffee with sugar to lessen the bitterness and make it sweet enough. Blend it with milk and ice. Fresh crushed ice works best. Serve with whipped cream on top.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Caramel Frappuccino is creamy and delicious. Serve it with pastries, muffins, cakes, and cookies.
- Pastries: Serve it with Cherry Danishes, Baklava with Nutella, Apricot Rugelach (VIDEO), or Easy Cheese Danish Pastry (VIDEO).
- Muffins: Pair it with Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (VIDEO), Cinnamon Apple Muffins (VIDEO), or Blueberry Muffins (VIDEO).
- Cakes: Tiramisu Cake (VIDEO), Easy Opera Cake, Sopapilla Cheesecake, and Chocolate Spartak Cake are great with this refreshing drink.
- Cookies: Enjoy this frappuccino with some Twix Cookies, Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies, or Brownie Cookies.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: A caramel frappe is best fresh, but you could freeze the mixture after blending. Thaw it in the and blend with more ice before garnishing with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Storing: Your caramel frappuccino should be made and served immediately for best results. However, if you have some leftover, you can place it in the fridge for a couple of days. Just be ready for it to separate as the ice melts, so you’ll have to mix it before drinking.
Freeze: Just place your frappuccino in an airtight container or in ice cube trays in the freezer for up to a month. To serve it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before blending it again with more crushed ice.
More Refreshing Coffees and Teas!
Full Recipe Instructions
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Copycat Recipe
This Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino copycat recipe is sweet, creamy, simple, and delicious. It’s so good, you’ll think a barista made it.
Servings: 1 16 oz frappe
Calories: 503kcal
Notes
- Make your own espresso if you have no machine– If you don’t have an espresso machine, don’t worry. You can also mix 2 teaspoons of espresso powder with 2 oz. of boiling water for the same effect.
- Use crushed ice- If possible, stick with crushed ice over cubed because the longer the blender runs to break it down, the warmer the mixture gets. Crushed ice is always faster as it’s already broken down.
- Don’t skimp on the caramel sauce- To get the Starbucks feeling, make sure you go the extra step and drizzle your serving cup with caramel sauce and more on top. Plus, your caramel frappuccino will look amazing.
- No whipped cream? Try this- You don’t want to miss the whipped cream on this gorgeous treat, so if you’ve got none on hand, try my chatilly cream recipe. It will definitely do the trick!
Nutrition
Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 834IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 254mg | Iron: 1mg
Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!
