Who doesn’t love a coffee frappuccino? This Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino may be the best way to enjoy a delicious frozen coffee without going to Starbucks. You can make similar drinks to the famous coffee house at home, and you need only simple ingredients to make this refreshing treat, this is so good, you will think it is the real thing!
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Why This Caramel Frappuccino Recipe Works
I always joke that the sugar in my coffee 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 treat yourself 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. Starbucks’ website tells us it’s “hands down” the most popular. You have to drink one, and it’s easy to understand why!
If you like a strong coffee taste, we suggest using espresso or super strong coffee for this recipe. You could even purchase coffee beans roasted for espresso for a bold flavor. You are going to love this copycat Starbucks caramel frappuccino recipe!
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, blended drink. A swirl of whipped cream on top gives it a decadent finish, then you must add a drizzle of caramel sauce. Your homemade caramel frappuccino is perfect for a sweet tooth on a hot summer day.
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 to make your favorite blended beverage:
- Cold coffee – I recommend Starbucks coffee, you can make some at home, or purchase it at the store
- Milk – Starbucks uses 2%, if you want something more decadent, consider using whole milk
- Caramel syrup
- Ice
- Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
How to Make Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
You start with a coffee base. Add some caramel for sweet, delicious flavoring, milk, and ice. You blend the ingredients 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 copycat caramel frappuccino recipe steps:
- Put milk and coffee in a blender.
- Add caramel syrup and ice. Blend until it has a smooth consistency.
- Drizzle caramel sauce around the inside of tall glasses.
- Pour the blended frappuccino into the glasses.
- 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.
- Starbucks uses 2% but you can use skim, 1%, or whole milk.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to make a salted caramel 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 beverage 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 – 1 hour in the fridge, 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 in your caramel frappe, 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 Starbucks copycat recipes!
- Caramel Macchiato
- Flat White Coffee
- Iced White Mocha
- Mocha Coffee
- Pink Drink
- Strawberry Frappuccino
- Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- 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.
Kerri
I would like to try this recipe at home. I love how Starbucks makes it so I think it would be fun to do at home.
Stephanie
These are super easy to make at home.
Corrine Leslie
Yummy! At about 400 calories, I might defer this recipe until after the holidays.
Ashley @Irishred02
I have a friend who needs this recipe. She is addicted
Michele
Hi, I have a secret to share. Freezing the coffee and milk in ice cube trays. I use soy milk and mix it with a little flavoured coffee mix Then blend with your ice wala great cold and easy. If it comes out to thick for your taste just add ice water or more cold coffee. I order the caramel sauce & syrups & coffee from Starbuckson on line. it’s not expensive at all you’ll ge a discount for ordering. Using the Starbucks products give you 100% taste! just like if you bought it there at a 1/4 of the price? And signing up for email you’ll receive special discounts like no shipping cost percentage off, it’s better than grocery type coffee products. I’m still s Starbucks gold card for being lazy and going in to by me caramel frappe. I hope this help! 😀 It takes longer to clean the blender tan make these 😀
kimberley
omg thanks for all the tidbits!
Claudia Krusch
Yummmm! I am so looking forward to trying your recipe!!!
Trisha
My husband would enjoy this Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino. I’m wondering how it would taste with a shot of espresso Either way, I’d love to try it!
JENNIFER
It would taste great! 😉 But I love coffee!
Autumn @Mamachallenge
That is one of my niece’s favorite drinks at Starbucks. I will have to share this with her!
Star Traci
I am so crazy excited for this recipe! Caramel frappuccino is one of my favorite drinks. It’s so expensive, though, so I rarely get it! YAY!
🙂
Traci
Rosey
Who knew it was so easy. This looks amazing, I’d def. try it.
Stephanie
Give it a try, and save yourself some money!
LauraFunk
This is my go to drink at Starbucks! Love it so very much. Thanks for the recipe
Janeane Davis
It is great to learn how to make a coffee house favorite at home. After all, we cannot always go to the coffee house to get our beverage of choice.
Kim @ Two Kids and a Coupon
Looks fabulous! Such a tasty treat for the holidays!
Stephanie
Thank you. This is a super easy recipe to make. My Christmas will have 80 degree temperatures.
Liz Mays
I would love to make one of these. This might actually be a good one for this weekend!
Carol Bryant
A friend of mine loves going to Starbucks and now I have to share this recipe with her – she is going to be thrilled.
Bethany
I love when I can recreate a yummy restaurant recipe at home and I love starbucks so this is perfect for me! I actually had a yummy caramel drink from Starbucks today but maybe tomorrow I’ll try this! Thanks!
Helene Cohen Bludman
I can’t wait to try this at home. Now I won’t need to run to Starbucks when the mood hits.
Corrine Leslie
I checked online. This is about 380 calories, a splurge to say the least!
Stephanie
I bet you could substitute another type of milk to help save some calories.
Heather lawrence
This is my favourite drink when I am at starbucks!
I can’t wait to give this recipe a try. Do you have a strawberries and cream frappuccino recipe too?
Seattle Travel Blogger
I love caramel in my drinks.
These pictures alone make me want to get this product.s
Amy
Excellent, another cold drink to add to my recipe box.
Tamara
Yum, you nailed this! I don’t get them often because of the cost, so this inspires me to make them at home. There’s nothing like that cool, creamy, caramel taste.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
I need to try this. I don’t get to Starbucks often, but now I don’t have to 🙂