✔ Updated · fixed card amounts, thicker no-melt blending method + a caffeine-free caramel cream version
My copycat Starbucks caramel Frappuccino blends chilled espresso, milk, caramel sauce and ice into a thick, frosty drink topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Chill the coffee before it goes in the blender. Warm espresso melts the ice and turns the drink thin and watery.
It takes 10 minutes and about two tablespoons of caramel, with no trip to the coffee shop.
Why You'll Love This Copycat Caramel Frappuccino
- Coffee-shop texture, thick and smooth with no icy chunks.
- Just a few ingredients: coffee, milk, caramel sauce and ice.
- Easy to customize with dairy-free milk, less sugar or decaf.
- Caffeine-free option: a caramel cream version for kids or evenings.
What Is a Caramel Frappuccino?
A caramel Frappuccino is my favorite afternoon treat, a blended iced coffee drink: coffee, milk, caramel and ice whizzed together until thick and frosty, then finished with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. It tastes like sweet, creamy caramel with a mellow coffee finish.
I use caramel sauce you can buy or make, plus everyday ingredients. For more coffee-shop drinks at home, browse our Starbucks copycat recipes.
What You Need
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Espresso or strong coffee: two shots of espresso, or 1/3 cup of strong brewed coffee, chilled. Instant espresso powder dissolved in a little hot water and cooled also works.
- Milk: whole milk gives the creamiest result; oat, almond or soy milk work but are a little thinner.
- Caramel sauce: store-bought or homemade, for flavor in the drink and for the drizzle.
- Ice: plenty of it, for the thick, frosty texture.
- Whipped cream: from a can or homemade, such as our copycat Starbucks whipped cream.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Chill the coffee first. Brew it ahead and keep it in the fridge, or freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use the cubes in place of some of the ice for a stronger flavor.
- Use enough ice. About 1 1/2 cups of ice to 1/2 cup of milk and 2 ounces of coffee gives a thick, spoonable texture.
- Listen to the blender. When the rattling stops and the mixture swirls smoothly, the ice is fully crushed. Stop there so the drink doesn't warm up.
- Xanthan gum is optional. A tiny pinch keeps the drink from separating as it sits, but it tastes great without it if you drink it right away.
- Thick caramel sauce works best. Thin sauces sink and blend in; a thicker sauce clings to the glass. See how to thicken caramel sauce.
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino (Copycat)
1
drink (about 16 oz)10
minutes0
minutes300
kcal10
minutesA copycat-style Starbucks caramel Frappuccino: chilled espresso or strong coffee blended with milk, caramel sauce, a little sugar and plenty of ice until thick and smooth, then topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle.
Ingredients
- For the Frappuccino
2 oz espresso (2 shots) or 1/3 cup very strong coffee, chilled
1/2 cup whole milk (or oat or almond milk), cold
2 tablespoons caramel sauce
1 to 2 teaspoons granulated sugar or simple syrup, to taste
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum, optional, for a thicker texture
- To Top
1/4 cup whipped cream
1 tablespoon caramel sauce, for drizzling
Directions
- Brew the espresso or strong coffee and chill it in the fridge for 10 minutes, or pour it over a few ice cubes and let it cool. Hot coffee melts the ice and makes the drink thin.
- Pour the chilled coffee, cold milk, 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce and the sugar into a blender, then add the ice. Sprinkle in the xanthan gum if using.
- Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds, until the ice is fully crushed, there are no chunks and the blender stops rattling. Add a few more ice cubes if it looks thin, or a splash of milk if it is too thick to move.
- Drizzle a little caramel sauce down the inside of a tall glass, pour in the Frappuccino and top with whipped cream and the remaining caramel drizzle. Serve right away with a wide straw.
Notes
- The whipped cream is also optional. If you haven’t got a straw or simply don’t have time, feel free to leave it out.
- If your drink is a little too thick, add an extra splash of milk and continue to blend. Don’t add water, as this will change the flavor of your drink.
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Variations
- Caramel cream (no coffee): skip the coffee and use 3/4 cup of milk for a caffeine-free blended caramel drink.
- Salted caramel: add a pinch of flaky salt to the blender and on top of the whipped cream.
- Lighter: use 2% or unsweetened almond milk, skip the added sugar and go easy on the whipped cream.
- Mocha caramel: add 1 tablespoon of chocolate sauce, or try our copycat mocha Frappuccino.
- Vanilla: try a vanilla bean Frappuccino, or a hot caramel macchiato on a cold day.
Make-Ahead Tips
A Frappuccino is best blended and served right away, because it separates as it melts. To save time, brew a batch of strong coffee and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it into ice cubes. Then blending a drink takes less than a minute.
Try our copycat Starbucks recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Starbucks caramel Frappuccino?
A caramel Frappuccino is a blended iced coffee drink made with coffee, milk, caramel-flavored syrup and ice, topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle. This copycat recipe uses chilled espresso, whole milk, caramel sauce, a little sugar and ice.
What is the difference between a caramel frappe and a caramel Frappuccino?
Frappuccino is Starbucks' name for its blended drinks, while frappe is the general term used by other coffee shops and at home. Both are blended iced coffee drinks with caramel. Try our copycat McDonald's caramel frappe for a slightly sweeter version.
Can I make a caramel Frappuccino without a blender?
You can, but the texture will be different. Shake the chilled coffee, milk and caramel with crushed ice in a large jar or shaker for 30 seconds, then pour over more crushed ice. It will be more like an iced caramel coffee than a thick blended drink.
How do I make my Frappuccino thicker?
Use well-chilled coffee, add a few more ice cubes, use less milk or add a tiny pinch of xanthan gum. Freezing coffee into ice cubes also helps, because it adds body without watering the drink down.
Can I make it caffeine-free?
Yes. Use decaf espresso for the same coffee flavor, or skip the coffee completely and use 3/4 cup of milk for a caramel cream version. The caramel cream version is a good option for kids.
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