Do you love the taste of a caramel frappuccino from Starbucks but don't love the price tag? Make your own delicious copycat Caramel Frappuccino right at home using simple ingredients. Skip the line and save some money on your favorite drink!
You're going to love this super easy copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino!
A caramel frappuccino is a classic Starbucks coffee drink that has been loved by people all over the world.
The caramel frappuccino is a blended coffee drink made with espresso, milk, ice, and flavoring.
The most popular flavor is caramel, but variations like mocha or vanilla can also be found along with other seasonal flavors.
While this drink is delicious and refreshing, it can also come with a hefty price tag, clocking in at nearly $5 a pop, which can add up!
Luckily, there's a way to make caramel blended coffee from scratch, requiring just a few simple ingredients!
Blend up brewed coffee, caramel sauce, ice, and vanilla for a Starbucks copycat frappuccino that tastes just like the real thing for a fraction of the price!
Serve it up with another copycat recipe, like these Lorna Doone Cookies, with Dunkaroo Dip, or Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. You'll also love making a copycat Orange Julius.
Or if you're a huge salted caramel fan, enjoy it with a slice of Salted Caramel Cheesecake Pie!
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Why Make This Recipe
This recipe for a caramel frappuccino copycat will save you time and money. You can make your own at home for less than $0.50 per drink!
This homemade caramel frappuccino tastes exactly like the real thing, if not better!
This recipe is quick and easy to make, taking less than five minutes from start to finish.
You can customize it by adding more or less caramel or by making it with decaf coffee for a nighttime dessert.
Ingredients
- Brewed Coffee - You'll need strongly brewed coffee to make this drink as the coffee flavor could diminish when blended with ice.
- Ice - Used to give the drink its frozen slushy consistency and refreshing cold temperature.
- Milk - Adds a creamy texture and richness to the drink.
- Caramel Sauce - Gives the drink a rich caramel flavor along with sweetness.
- Sugar - Additional sugar is optional but can be added to increase the sweet flavor of the drink if preferred.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds a complimentary vanilla flavor that pairs well with caramel.
- Garnish - Add whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce to the top for an extra fancy treat.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to make this Caramel Frappuccino recipe? It's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Prepare the coffee: Brew your coffee of choice using the directions to make it strong. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes or overnight.
Blend the frappuccino: Add the chilled coffee to a high-speed blender along with the ice, caramel sauce, sugar, and vanilla. Pulse to break up the ice, then blend until smooth and creamy.
Garnish and serve: Pour the drink into a glass and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of additional caramel sauce on top. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips
Double the amount or brew it slowly to make it strong when brewing the coffee. Strong coffee is necessary for this drink as the ice will water it down when blended.
If you want to make this recipe ahead of time, blend all of the ingredients except for the ice. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Add the ice and blend until smooth and creamy when ready to drink.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make a larger batch.
Variations
For a non-coffee drink, substitute the coffee with an equal amount of cold brew or espresso. You could also use decaf coffee.
To make this recipe vegan, use plant-based milk and whipped cream. Use sugar-free caramel sauce and a keto whipped cream for a low-carb or keto version.
To make this healthier recipe, use skim milk or almond milk and omit the whipped cream topping. You could also add less caramel sauce to reduce the sugar content further.
Add chocolate syrup to the drink for a mocha flavor or use white chocolate chips in place of the caramel sauce.
Add a shot of espresso or some Bailey's Irish Cream for an adult version.
This recipe can also be made into popsicles! Just blend all of the ingredients and pour into popsicle molds. Freeze until solid, about four hours.
Add a pinch of flaked sea salt for a salted caramel frappuccino.
Blend in a dash of almond or vanilla extract.
Storage & Freezing
Leftover caramel frappuccino (without the whipped cream topping) can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Add the ice and blend until smooth and creamy when ready to drink. Taste and adjust if you need to add more coffee, milk, or caramel.
To freeze, blend all of the ingredients except for the ice. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Add the ice and blend until smooth and creamy when ready to drink. You may need to add more milk if it's too thick after being frozen.
FAQs
Yes, it does! A Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks is made with coffee, milk, ice, caramel syrup, and vanilla syrup.
Yes! If you want to make a non-coffee drink, substitute the coffee with an equal amount of cold brew or espresso. You could also use decaf coffee or a coffee alternative like barleycup.
Yes, they are the same drink. "Frappe" is just another word for "frappuccino."
More copycat recipes
We hope that you love this tasty copycat Starbucks caramel frappe! Be sure to also check out these other copycat dishes too!
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📖 Recipe
Caramel Frappuccino
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee strongly brewed
- 1 ½ cups ice
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To serve (optional)
- Whipped cream
- Caramel Sauce
Instructions
- Prepare 1 cup of strongly brewed coffee, then cover and chill in the fridge until cold.
- Add the coffee, ice, milk, caramel sauce, sugar and vanilla to a blender and process until smooth.
- Pour the caramel frappuccino into glasses. If desired, top it with whipped cream and drizzles of caramel - just like at Starbucks!
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Gina Abernathy
Sharing this recipe with my daughter. She is a coffee fan! She will love this drink.
Kelley
This was the perfect afternoon pick me up! I felt so fancy drinking it! Just like Starbucks!
Andrea
Oh this was fantastic! Caramel is my favorite frapp and now I know how easy it is to make this at home. I have lots of caramel sauce left so will make these all week as an afternoon treat for myself! Yummy!
Taryn
Such a fun and delicious homemade drink! It tasted fantastic, especially with that drizzle over the top. So easy and now I don't need to spend $$$$ at Starbucks anymore!