Caramel Frappuccino Recipe - Make it Just Like Starbucks at Home! (2024)

In this post: Trade your expensive fraps for this homemade Caramel Frappuccino®! You won’t even need to hide your Starbucks® receipt. This recipe is always a hit with my friends and family!

The caramel Frappuccino® is one of the most popular coffee drinks for its sweet, rich taste! But let’s be honest, going out to get one all the time can be seriously inconvenient! Learn to make this fantastic drink at home with step-by-step instructions.

What Is a Frappuccino®?

A Frappuccino® is a coffee beverage introduced to the public by Starbucks® in 1995. In its simplest form, a Frappuccino® is a blended iced coffee with flavored syrups and whipped cream on top.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This caramel Frappuccino® recipe:

• is quick and easy to make
• doesn’t contain complicated instructions or hard-to-find ingredients
• is totally adaptable to any dietary restrictions or allergies (see below for ideas)

Caramel Frappuccino® Ingredients

• Ice: blending the ice and coffee together is one of the keys to making a Frappuccino®.
• Strongly brewed coffee: the coffee will get a little watered down by the ice, so it’s important to brew it strong!
• Milk of choice: dairy, almond, coconut, soy, oat, etc.; any milk will work for this recipe.
• Caramel syrup: this rich and creamy sauce adds the perfect flavor to coffee, cold or hot! In this recipe, you can use extra caramel sauce as a yummy garnish.
• Vanilla extract: a little of this baking staple goes a long way when it comes to flavor.
• Whipped cream (or heavy cream): this garnish on top of the Frappuccino® is so fun and delicious!
• Xanthan gum: this ingredient is a wonderful additive if you enjoy thicker, creamier Frappuccinos®.
• Sugar (optional):an optional addition for those of you who enjoy extra sweet coffee!

How to Make a Caramel Frappuccino®

1. Prepare 1 cup of strong coffee. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Put ice and chilled coffee in a blender.

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Easy Doritos Casserole RecipeFluffy Keto Coconut Flour Pancakes Recipe — Megan Seelinger CoachingCrockpot Whole Chicken RecipeEasy Southern Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

2. Add cold milk, vanilla extract, optional xanthan gum, and sugar as desired.

3. Add your favorite caramel sauce.

4. Blend on high speed until smooth. 5. Pour into glasses. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with your favorite caramel sauce!

Notes and Variations

• You could use other flavored syrups like chocolate, strawberry, or hazelnut
• Using espresso instead of coffee will give your Frappuccino® a stronger flavor
• Add some sea salt to make your a salted caramel Frappuccino®

Freezing Your Frappuccino®

You can freeze the Frappuccino® for later (just don’t freeze the whipped cream). Defrost it at room temperature for 20-30 mins, add whipped cream and caramel sauce, and enjoy this delicious treat!

Serving Suggestions

You can serve a caramel Frappuccino® with breakfasts like:

• Gluten-Free Slow Cooker French Toast
• 14 Make-Ahead Sweet Breakfasts
• Gluten-Free Waffles
• Blueberry Granola Overnight Oatmeal
• 16 Make-Ahead Savory Breakfasts
• Gluten-Free Vegan Pancakes

Caramel Frappuccinos® also go well with desserts like:

• Gluten-Free Shortbread
• Coconut Macaroons
• Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Paleo Shortbread Cookies
• Peanut Butter Cookies

The Secret Caramel Frappuccino® Ingredient

You may be surprised to hear that there is a secret ingredient that can make caramel Frappuccinos® a billion times better. Alright, I won’t keep you in suspense any longer! The secret ingredient to a thick, creamy caramel Frappuccino® is xanthan gum.Only a small amount of this magical ingredient will make your Frappuccino® smooth and creamy, even as the ice melts!

Want a Healthier Version of Starbucks® Caramel Frappuccino®?

There are some ways to make your Frappuccino® healthier, though it won’t taste quite as good as the original recipe:

• Skip the added sugar or add artificial sweetener instead
• Use low-fat or nut milk (especially if you are lactose intolerant)
• Try sugar-free caramel sauce
• Use little to no whipping cream and caramel drizzle on top

FAQ

How much caffeine is in a Starbucks® Frappuccino®?

A Starbucks® Frappuccino® has around 100mg of caffeine, which is less than the usual 182mg in a regular cup of coffee.

Can you freeze leftovers?

You can freeze the Frappuccino® leftovers – aside from the whipping cream and caramel drizzle! Just defrost them for 20-30 minutes at room temperature and enjoy.

How to make a Frappuccino® stronger

To make your caramel Frappuccino® stronger, you could try:

• using espresso instead of (or along with) coffee
• adding extra instant coffee
• freezing leftover coffee as coffee ice cubes and using that instead of regular ice cubes
• using more coffee and less milk

Dietary Considerations

To make this recipe dairy-free/vegan you should use:

• nut or soy milk
• a vegancaramel sauce substitute
• vegan whipping cream (my favorite is coconut whipping cream!)

More Coffee Inspiration

• Iced Latte + Iced Coffee Recipe
• Spiced Vanilla Latte
• Eggnog Latte