This easy homemade caramel frappuccino recipe is just as delicious as the famous Starbucks drink, but it’s a whole lot easier on your wallet.
This is my copycat version of the smooth and creamy Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino.
As much as I love treating myself to a Starbucks, those weekly visits can start to add up. This recipe fills all my caramel cravings at a fraction of the cost. Top it off with some whipped cream and drizzle some extra caramel sauce on top. This homemade Starbucks frappuccino is perfect on a hot, summer day. Or if you’re like me, pretty much any day. Grab a straw and enjoy! Best of all, you can mix up the flavors with different sauces and syrups. Chocolate, strawberry, white chocolate, pumpkin pie, or even half-caramel, half-chocolate. Mix and match to your heart’s desire!
Variations
If you’re looking for a thicker consistency, you can add more ice. Or you can use coffee ice cubes. Simply prepare your coffee. Pour it into ice cube trays and freeze for 3 to 4 hours. Or you can simply freeze overnight. For those who prefer a creamier drink, use half and half instead of milk. You can also add a scoop of ice cream for extra creaminess. Want a stronger coffee? Add a teaspoon of instant espresso for an extra kick of caffeine. If you prefer a light roast coffee, that works, too! You can even add a sprinkle of sea salt and create your own salted caramel frappuccino. That’s what I love about this recipe. You can customize it for your personal taste and preferences.
Starbucks Secret Ingredient for Caramel Frappuccino
Starbucks uses an additional ingredient to make this frappuccino super creamy and smooth. It’s called xanthan gum. It creates a smooth consistency and keeps your drink from separating after being blended. And although the name sounds a little strange, it’s a harmless food additive that helps turn this recipe into the real deal! In fact, studies have shown that it may have a number of health benefits. Without this ingredient, your drink can end up a little bit chunky. So while this ingredient is definitely optional, I do recommend it. I personally use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free xantham gum. Although it may seem a bit pricey, you’ll only need a tiny bit to work its magic. Add 1/4 tsp of xanthan gum to the blender when you mix all the ingredients for a smooth, creamy, thick frappuccino.
Want a Healthier Version of Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino?
There are a number of tweaks you can make to this recipe to save some calories. Personally, I find that this drink is plenty sweet enough without adding sugar. You can also use a packet of Truvia or Splenda. If you want to avoid milk, you can use any sort of nut milk. Almond milk is my personal favorite. It might not be as creamy, but still delish! You can also use low-fat milk. Again, this will be a bit less creamy and thick but still delicious. This recipe uses 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) caramel sauce. But you could easily cut that down to 2-3 tablespoons. Sugar-free caramel sauce is another option. You could also use Hershey’s Simply 5 chocolate syrup, which has lower calories, less sugar, and no high fructose corn syrup. It also contains just five ingredients. There are so many ways to customize this luxurious treat! I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments 🙂
How to Make Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
This copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is so simple to make, you won’t believe it! All you’ll need to do is brew your favorite coffee and blend in milk, sugar, vanilla extract, ice, and xantham gum, and you’ll have your favorite Starbucks treat at home.
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