Make this popular Starbucks favorite at home, using a Frappuccino base syrup to recreate the perfectly smooth and creamy texture. This Caramel Frappuccino recipe is so good, you’ll want to make it all year!
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Caramel Frappuccino
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino is a frozen drink made with ice, milk, caramel sauce, coffee, and Frappuccino base syrup. All ingredients are blended together then served with vanilla whipped cream and drizzle of caramel.
The secret to making this drink just like Starbucks is to use a Frappuccino base syrup. This ingredient is in every single Starbucks Frappuccino and it’s what gives the ice cold beverage that creamy texture.
RELATED: 13 Frappuccino Recipes
Recipe Highlights
- This copycat Frappuccino recreates the Starbucks recipe so it’s as close to their version as possible, using a homemade Frappuccino base syrup.
- A blender is needed to make this caffeinated frozen drink at home.
- There’s no need for any fancy espresso machines since the coffee used is an instant coffee, just like how Starbucks makes it.
- The recipe makes a grande (16 ounces) Caramel Frappuccino.
RELATED: Mocha Frappuccino
Ingredient Notes
- Homemade Frappuccino base syrup: Make a batch of this first and use it to make all kinds of Frappuccinos. If you don’t want to use the base, add just simple syrup, but your drink won’t have that smooth Frappuccino texture.
- Caramel sauce: Out of all the brands, this one is my favorite.
- Instant coffee: Starbucks uses their own Frappuccino Roast, which is an instant coffee blend. Use Starbucks VIA Instant Italian Roast, or any instant coffee you have.
- Milk: Frappuccinos are made with whole milk but you can use any milk you like.
- Heavy cream: This is to make the whipped cream topping.
- Vanilla syrup: The syrup flavors the whipped cream.
- Ice: Make ice using filtered water for a better tasting Frappuccino.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.
Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in seconds.
Step 2: Blend milk, caramel sauce, homemade Frappuccino base syrup, instant coffee, and ice until smooth.
Start the blender on low, then turn it up to high. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly.
Step 3: Pour Frappuccino into a cup.
Step 4: Top drink with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
Recipe Notes
The order of ingredients into the blender matters.
Put ingredients into the blender as it’s in the recipe. Don’t put ice in first since you won’t get an efficient blend since there will be air pockets. Always add the liquids in first (milk) and put the hardest or heaviest ingredients in last (ice).
No Frappuccino base syrup?
Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is made of sugar, water, and xanthan gum (the secret to creating the Frappuccino texture). If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can add simple syrup instead to match the sweetness but you won’t get the same texture.
Make it caffeine-free.
Caramel Frappuccino can be made caffeine-free by taking out the instant coffee in the recipe.
Expert Tips
- The vanilla syrup in the recipe is used in the whipped cream, just like Starbucks, but you can take it out and replace it with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
- The longer you whisk the heavy cream to make whipped cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take less than a minute, using a handheld milk frother, to get soft peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
- Starbucks uses both caramel syrup, which doesn’t have dairy, and caramel sauce, which does have dairy, to make their Caramel Frappuccino. This recipe uses caramel sauce, which contains dairy, for both.
Questions You May Have
Yes, caramel sauce is made with dairy and caramel syrup is usually made without dairy.
Yes, the instant coffee in the recipe makes the drink caffeinated.
Starbucks won’t sell you their Frappuccino base syrup but you can find it sold by other sellers on Amazon and Ebay.
Related
- Iced Caramel Macchiato
- Caramel Cold Foam
- Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
- Espresso Frappuccino
- Best Starbucks Frappuccinos
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Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)
INGREDIENTS
Caramel Frappuccino
- ½ cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons caramel sauce + more for drizzle on top of drink
- 3 tablespoons homemade Frappuccino base syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoon instant coffee
- 1 cup ice
Vanilla Whipped Cream
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
- Whisk heavy cream and vanilla syrup to make whipped cream. Set aside.Use a handheld milk frother to make whipped cream in seconds. The longer you whisk, the stiffer the whipped cream. It should take about 30 seconds to get peaks.
- Blend milk, caramel sauce, homemade Frappuccino base syrup, instant coffee, and ice until smooth.Put ingredients into the blender in the order listed.Start the blender on low, then turn it up to high speed. Use a tamper tool to make sure the ice gets blended evenly.
- Pour Caramel Frappuccino into a cup. Top drink with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.Serve immediately.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- The homemade Frappuccino base syrup recipe is the star of this recipe since it’s what creates that smooth texture. Make a batch of this first.
- Homemade Frappuccino base syrup is made of sugar, water, and xanthan gum (the secret to creating the Frappuccino texture). If you don’t want to use the base syrup, you can add simple syrup instead to match the sweetness but you won’t get the same texture.
- Frappuccinos are made with whole milk but you can use any milk you like.
- The vanilla syrup in the recipe is used in the whipped cream, just like Starbucks, but you can take it out and replace it with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
- The longer you whisk the heavy cream, the stiffer it’ll get. It should take less than a minute, using a handheld milk frother, to get soft peaks. Spoon the whipped cream on top of your drink.
- You can make a caffeine-free Caramel Frappuccino by taking out the instant coffee in the recipe.
Love this drink I do have a question do I have to put instant coffee in hot water or no or just instant coffee and blend it ? Thanks
Hi Marina, just add instant coffee (no water) and blend.
Unfortunately I did not even use the frappe base! I just used regular sugar and still came out really good!
Questions- Do you refrigerate the base ?
Also my frappucino is coming out too thick. Any suggestions on that ?
Hi Bryan, yes, refrigerate the base. To thin out the Frappuccino, try using less Frappuccino base syrup and less ice.