Satisfy your sweet tooth with this rich, frothy Caramel Frappe at home, minus the additives and ridiculous cost.
It’s a warm afternoon, you’ve hit that 3:00 p.m. slump, and you desperately need a pick-me-up. You know that a cold, creamy, and sweet caramel frappe will certainly give you an energy boost, but an hour later you’ll feel sleepy, overly full, and have $7 less in your bank account. Sound familiar? It’s a cycle I’m certainly guilty of repeating. But finding out that I can make a copycat caramel frappe right in my own home, without the xanthan gum, chemical additives, or 54 grams of sugar has saved me money and my afternoon productivity.
Frappes were popularized in Greece in the 1950s, when a Nescafé employee found himself without any hot water for his instant coffee. He decided to add cold water and ice, and shake it. This led to a convenient way to get your caffeine fix without hot water. In the U.S., the frappe has evolved into a milkshake-like coffee drink made famous by Starbucks, which can be customized with endless flavor options.
This homemade caramel frappe happens to be my favorite. It falls somewhere between the Greek version and the 380-calorie Starbucks drink. It consists of four simple ingredients—a cup of strong brewed coffee, milk, ice, and caramel—blended to perfection. The caramel adds a distinct rich sweetness, which I prefer over pure sugar. This frappe is perfect straight from the blender, but for more of a dessert vibe, you can add whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup. So easy to make; so delicious to drink!
Is This Caramel Frappe Healthy?
Comparably speaking, this homemade caramel frappe is a healthier version of the ones available at coffee shop chains, as it has less sugar and calories. However, it is still high in sugar and does contain whole milk. You can modify it based on your dietary restrictions and preferences. Clearly, if you use full-fat milk, you will get a creamier coffee drink with more calories. Opt for 2% or skim milk for a lighter version, or use soy or oat milk and dairy-free whipped cream to make your caramel frappe dairy-free. You can also substitute the caramel with date syrup or agave syrup for sweetener.
Coffee Ice Cubes for the Win
Through years of trial and error, the best trick I have found for making caramel frappes is to use coffee ice cubes. I came about this over the summer when I would pour the leftover pot of coffee into an ice tray instead of down the drain (I’ve never understood why my husband makes a full pot daily when we never finish it). Using coffee ice cubes adds a stronger coffee flavor and doesn’t water your frappe down when the ice melts. You can also make milk ice cubes for a thicker result.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons caramel syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Whipped cream (optional for topping)
- Extra caramel syrup (optional for drizzling)
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare
Add ingredients to blender.
Blend
Blend until smooth.
Serve
Pour into glass, top with whipped cream and caramel.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
This caramel frappe takes just 5 minutes to make and is best enjoyed right away. That said, you could brew the coffee ahead of time and add it to the blender with the other ingredients when you are ready to enjoy.
Yes, you can use instant coffee instead of brewed coffee in this recipe. Just be sure the grains have fully dissolved before blending.
Absolutely! If you want a caffeine boost with no sweetness, skip the caramel syrup. You can also replace it with chocolate syrup, a tablespoon of brown sugar, date syrup, or maple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
This caramel frappe can be a delicious addition to your breakfast on a busy morning. Sip it between bites of your Whole30 Breakfast Casserole, Avocado Toast With Egg, or Vegan Pecan Pie Overnight Oats. Or, for more of a mid-day treat, enjoy it with buttery Shortbread Cookies or Oatmeal Cookies.
Caramel Frappe
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee chilled
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons caramel syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Whipped cream optional for topping
- Extra caramel syrup optional for drizzling
Instructions
-
In a blender, combine the coffee, milk, caramel syrup, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth.
-
Pour the frappe into a glass.
-
Optionally, top with whipped cream and drizzle with additional caramel syrup.
Nutrition
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