Who doesn’t love a coffee frappuccino? This Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino may be the best way to enjoy a delicious frozen coffee drink without actually going to Starbucks. You can make similar drinks to the famous coffee house at home, and best of all you need only simple ingredients to make this refreshing treat.
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Table of Contents
Why This Frappuccino Recipe Works
I always joke that it’s the sugar in my coffee that gets me going way before the caffeine. I like my coffee sweet with just a hint of coffee flavor. To be fair though, I don’t drink coffee often, it’s usually a treat. You can also give yourself a treat by recreating this famous Starbucks taste at home with this homemade frappuccino recipe.
Starbucks caramel drinks are the best, and the caramel frappuccino has been one of the most popular since its introduction. In fact, Starbucks’ website tells us that it’s “hands down” the most popular. You just have to drink one and it’s easy to understand why!
Now, if you like a strong coffee taste, we suggest that you use espresso or super strong coffee for this recipe. You could even purchase coffee beans that are roasted for espresso for a bold flavor.
What Is a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino?
A Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is made by blending espresso with caramel syrup, milk, and ice until it becomes a chunky, icy drink. A swirl of whipped cream on top gives it a decadent finish, along with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
How Does a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Taste?
In a word, heavenly! If you like sweet drinks, you will love the buttery caramel-syrupy taste of this frappuccino. And, the taste of the caramel drizzled cream on top will stay with you long after your drink is finished. One thing you won’t get is a strong taste of coffee.
How Much Caffeine Is in a Starbucks Frappuccino?
Starbucks frappuccinos do not contain as much caffeine as drinking regular coffee. A caramel frappuccino has about 100mg of caffeine compared to 182mg in a regular-sized cup of coffee.
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Ingredients
Here’s a list of what you need:
- Cold coffee
- Milk
- Caramel syrup
- Ice
- Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
How to Make Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
You start with a coffee base, add in some caramel for sweet, delicious flavoring, a little milk, some ice. You blend the ingredients together well, and top with whipped cream. And more caramel on top, of course. It’s easy to make at home and a perfect way to treat yourself without going through the drive-thru line.
Here are the recipe steps:
- Put milk and coffee in a blender.
- Add caramel syrup and ice. Blend until smooth.
- Drizzle caramel sauce around the inside of a glass.
- Pour the blended frappuccino into the glass.
- Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Grab a straw! And enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Variations
- Keep some caramel syrup and caramel sauce on hand. Caramel is not only great in the caramel frappuccino but also in any coffee drink and quite a few caramel recipes. Some people think it’s sweetened condensed milk that makes this drink thick, but this drink does not contain any sweetened condensed milk at all.
- This recipe does not contain any chocolate syrup. Feel free to add some if you want to make a mocha frappuccino.
- You can add a shot of espresso, instant espresso, instant coffee, cold brew coffee, or use your day-old coffee. Of course, if you want a stronger coffee flavor I recommend adding espresso, or super strong coffee. Or freeze leftover coffee into ice cubes, and add those coffee ice cubes when you make this drink.
Freezing Your Frappuccino
Why not make extra caramel frappuccino and put the excess in the freezer (minus the topping)? The next time you want a frappuccino, it’s ready! – no need to dirty your blender.
All you have to do is allow it to defrost a bit – 30 minutes at room temperature or about 1 minute in the microwave. Top it with whipped topping and caramel sauce just before you’re ready to enjoy it.
Making a Stronger Frappuccino
If you want more of a coffee taste, you can freeze any leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use coffee cubes instead of some or all the ice cubes in your frappuccino.
How to Make a Healthier Version of Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
If you want a lighter version, you can use skim milk. You can also go with almond milk or cashew milk (my new favorite).
Would you like a skinny caramel frappuccino? Sounds too good to be true? Well, think again! You can create a cold, rich, creamy, and satisfying frappe with only around 50 calories per single serving.
Keep in mind that a 16 oz size (Grande) of Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino adds up to approximately 380 calories. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 cups ice cubes = 0 calories
- 1 cup of strong cold coffee = 0 calories
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk = negligible calories
- Sugar-free sweetener (Stevia powder, liquid vanilla Stevia drops, Splenda, or your favorite) = 0 calories
- Optional vanilla extract = o calories
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons Fat-Free Reddi-wip = 5 calories and
1 tablespoon sugar-free caramel sauce = 45 calories.
Feel free to add extra whipped topping and caramel. Even if you double the recipe amounts, we’re still only talking 100 calories.
How to Make Espresso at Home
If you don’t have an espresso maker, you can use instant espresso such as Medaglia D’Oro. Espresso is slightly different than regular drip coffee as the water is steamed through the coffee, making it a little stronger.
You may also consider using a Bialetti Moka Pot which Italians use to make espresso at home and costs under 30 dollars.
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe, it is one of my favorite Starbucks recipes. When you make this in your own home you can add extra caramel sauce, and go to town with the caramel drizzle. Best of all you can make this luxurious treat for a fraction of the cost.
Love Starbucks food and drinks? Try these copycat recipes!
- Caramel Macchiato
- Flat White Coffee
- Iced White Mocha
- Mocha Coffee
- Pink Drink
- Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwich
- Banana Nut Bread
- Spinach Feta Wrap
More Coffee Recipes
Be sure to check out more of my easy drinks and delicious Starbucks drinks to make at home.
Did you make and love this recipe? Give your review below and make sure to share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee cold or room temperature
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons caramel syrup
- 1-2 cups ice more ice if you want it less thick
- 2 tablespoons whipped cream
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce plus more for drizzling in the glass if desired
Instructions
- Place coffee and milk in a blender.
- Add caramel syrup and ice. Blend until smooth.
- Drizzle caramel sauce around the inside of a glass if desired.
- Pour the blended frappuccino into the glass.
- Top with whipped cream and caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I suggest getting some caramel syrup to have on hand. It’s great in the caramel frappuccino, but also any coffee drink. Some people think it is sweetened condensed milk that makes this drink thick, but I think it is caramel syrup.
- This recipe does not contain any chocolate syrup. If you want to add some, feel free to do so.
- You can also use a shot of espresso, instant espresso, instant coffee, cold brew coffee, or use day old coffee like I did!
- If you want a lighter version, you can use skim milk. You can also use almond milk or cashew milk.
dognuts
mmmm….. doughnuts
creammmmy croughnuts
Riley Olson
I loved this recipe! Tasted even better than Starbucks!!! Highly recommend!
Kristy
This recipe is absolutely delicious!
Darelynn Clay
WHY DO YOU PUT ICE CREAM IN YOUR VANILLA FRAPPACINO, BUT NOT YOUR CARAMEL FRAPPACINO?
Stephanie Manley
I do it on that recipe because I think it better duplicates the flavor, the caramel frappucino has the benefit of the thick caramel sauce to help the flavor.
Georgia
Decent. Didn’t really taste like Starbucks but it was okay. Very liquidy when it came out so I added more ice which helped but they separated. Great idea, just not exactly right. Thanks though!
Megan
How many ounces of coffee for this recipe?
Stephanie Manley
8 ounces
Jan
Do you have a recipe for the Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino? That’s my all time favorite!