Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino

We just finished our popular Mocha Frappuccino Recipe (check out the video), so I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you do not have to leave your house to enjoy a homemade drink that tastes better than your local coffee shop. This homemade Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is my take on the iconic Starbucks drink, complete with caramel ribbons, creamy coffee vibes, and a toffee crunch that honestly deserves an award.

It’s got everything: espresso (or strong coffee), brown sugar for that deep sweetness, and crushed toffee on top. You can say you made it for the kids only, but we both know who it’s really for. Plus, you can layer it like they do at the coffee shop — minus the $6 price tag and the awkward spelling of your name 🙂

You look like you’re ready to start this homemade drink that tastes like a caramel dessert (I know I am), so let’s do this!

Taste & Flavor

Let’s talk flavor… I’ll do my best because I’m not an official food/beverage critic. The simplest way to describe is to say this thing is next level. It’s like sipping on caramel milkshake that somehow also gives you a caffeine boost (yes, please).

The brown sugar adds this warm, rich sweetness that plays so well with the caramel, and when you blend it all together with coffee and ice, it turns into this frosty, creamy dream. Then you get to what I feel like makes this frappuccino unique, the crunchy toffee/cookie topping. It adds that perfect bit of texture and a little salty-sweet magic that makes every sip feel like a treat. I’m just saying… once you try this, you won’t need to order a frappuccino from the coffee shop again.

Caffeine Content

If you’ve ever grabbed the Starbucks version of this drink, you know it’s got a decent amount of caffeine. The Tall (12 oz) has about 65 mg of caffeine, the Grande (16 oz) clocks in around 85 mg, and the Venti (24 oz) packs about 115 mg. So yeah, it’s basically dessert with a built-in energy boost.

This homemade version of this recipe has many benefits, including simple customization. You can totally change the caffeine level. I usually go with 1 or 2 shots of espresso, depending on what time of the day it is (and how much sleep I didn’t get). But if you’re making this for kids (or adults who don’t do caffeine), just skip the espresso altogether! It still tastes amazing and has that same rich caramel-cookie vibe without the caffeine boost. If you have any questions about this, just shoot me a question via the comment section below.

If you are looking for another standard caffeine free option, check out our Caffeine Free Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.

Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino | Full Recipe

This recipe is for 1 standard 16 oz serving. If you are having a friend over, just double the recipe! If you would like to see some ideas for changing the recipe up a bit, check Customizations & Substitutions.

Ingredients:

• 1–2 shots of espresso (or 4 oz very strong coffee), cooled
• 1 cup 2% Milk (or any other dairy/non-dairy alternative)
• 1 1/2 cups Ice
• 3 tbsp Caramel Sauce
• 2 tbsp Brown Sugar
• Whipped Cream (for topping)
• 2 tbsp Heath Toffee (or crushed up cookie of your choice)

Instructions:

1. Brew a shot or two of espresso (or use about 4 oz of strong brewed coffee if that’s more your vibe). Pop it in the fridge to cool while we move on to the next step.
2. Pour 1 1/2 cups of ice into the blender, then pour the milk (or non-dairy alternative) into the blender.
3. Retrieve the espresso (now cooled) from the fridge and add to the blender. Follow it up by adding the caramel sauce and brown sugar.
4. Make sure the lid is on tight (nobody wants a Frappuccino mess), then blend it up on the frozen drink setting (or similar setting) for about a minute. Keep blending until it’s super smooth and creamy.
5. Now let’s layer the Frappuccino like Starbucks: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce to the bottom of your glass. Add in half the Frappuccino mixture from the blender. Add a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle of crushed up Heath toffee (or crushed cookie crumbs).
6. Add in the rest of the Frappuccino mixture, then top with more whipped cream, then more caramel sauce drizzle, and the rest of the Heath toffee. We did it! The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is ready and should b enjoyed immediately.

Customization & Substitutions

One of the best things about making your own Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is that you can easily customize it to your taste/preferences. Not feeling dairy today? Swap out regular milk for almond milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk for an extra creamy twist. Prefer it a bit lighter? Reduce the caramel sauce or brown sugar to dial down the sweetness without losing flavor. And if you don’t have Heath toffee bits handy, crushed Oreos, graham crackers, or even mini chocolate chips make delicious alternatives. No matter how you tweak it, you’re guaranteed a tasty treat tailored just for you!

Nutrition Info

This is the Nutrition Info based on the standard serving size of 16 oz and the ingredients mentioned in the recipe section above.

Up Next…

Now that you’ve finished your frappuccino recipe, I’ve got another great cold & refreshing beverage for you. This is our CopyCat Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso. It even has a fun recipe video, where I show you exactly how to make this iced espresso. I’ll see you there 🙂