Homemade Caramel Frappuccino

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You regular readers know that I have been on a frappuccino kick lately; summer is quickly approaching! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had a serious caramel frappuccino craving hit, and the drive to Starbucks just wasn’t happening. That is exactly why I started making this copycat version at home, and let me tell you, it has become one of my family faves.

In this post, I’m walking you through how to make a creamy, sweet, and perfectly blended caramel frappuccino that tastes just like the real deal… I actually think that it is even better. I’ve also included a step-by-step video so you can see exactly how I do it. Once you try this, I have a feeling you’ll want to make it on repeat.

Taste & Flavor

I’m not a professional at describing tastes so keep that in mind, but I will do my best. The taste of this Caramel Frappuccino is everything you’d hope for. It is sweet, creamy, and full of that buttery caramel flavor that keeps you (and me) going back for more. I love how the sugar and caramel sauce work together to give it that rich, almost toffee-like sweetness and depth. And when you blend it all with milk and ice, it turns into this smooth, frosty treat that tastes like it came straight from the Starbucks drive-thru. If you’re a fan of that classic caramel vibe with a little extra flavor, you’re going to love this.

I also include tips for making an Ultra Caramel Frappuccino below, and it is even more full of that delicious caramel flavor! And if you want to add a little crunch, check out our homemade version of the Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino.

Here is the Full Recipe Video

If you’re a visual learner like me, the video above will really help bring this recipe to life. It walks you through each step of the caramel frappuccino so you can see exactly how the texture should look, how I add in all of the ingredients, and how the caramel drizzle comes together. These details are sometimes hard to fully explain in writing.

You can follow along with the video as you make your drink, or use it side-by-side with the written recipe below for the best of both worlds!

Caramel Frappuccino | Full Written Recipe

This recipe makes a standard 1 serving of frappuccino, which is the 16 oz grande sized. The sizing is approximate and may vary slightly based on how exact your ingredient measurements are.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups Ice
¾ cup of Milk (any dairy or non dairy will work, I used 2%)
3 tbsp Caramel Sauce
2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
¼ tsp Vanilla Bean Extract (check out our traditional small batch vanilla extract)
⅛ tsp Xanthan Gum (optional but recommended)
Whipped Cream for Topping
Caramel Sauce for Topping

Instructions

pouring caramel frappuccino into finished glass

Brew 1-2 shots of espresso (or ~4 oz of strong brewed coffee). Place it in the fridge to cool while we move on to the next step.
Pour 1 ½ cups of ice into the blender, then take the espresso (now cooled) out of the fridge and add to the blender.
Add the milk of your choice into the blender, then follow it up by adding the caramel sauce and granulated sugar.
Add in the vanilla bean extract. Next, add in the xanthan gum (optional) to thicken texture and make it extra creamy.
Make sure the lid is secure (avoid a BIG Frappuccino mess), then blend it up on the frozen drink setting, or similar setting, for about 1 minute. Keep blending until it is smooth and creamy.
Remove the lid from the blender and add the frappuccino mixture to your serving glass. Add whipped cream and then add caramel sauce to the top. I try to do it in a criss cross or swirl pattern. Enjoy your frappuccino!!!

Nutrition Facts for Caramel Frappuccino

This is an approximate nutrition facts table for the standard 16 oz serving size mentioned in the recipe above. It assumes the use of 2% milk, and also includes the use of the optional xanthan gum. Feel free to leave a comment with any questions.

Turn this into an Ultra Caramel Frappuccino

Are you in the mood to turn this recipe up a notch??? When I was first creating this post, I couldn’t understand why so many people were asking about the ultra version. Now that I have had time to research it, I understand why. It’s very easy and only takes a couple of tweaks!

The official Starbucks’ (secret) ultra version layers sweet cold foam over the top and includes an extra drizzle of caramel sauce at the bottom and top of the cup for that ultra-rich, ultra-creamy vibe. The simplest way to accomplish this is by focusing on the caramel. Begin by adding a generous swirl of caramel sauce to the bottom of your serving glass before you pour in the blended drink.

You can also make your own quick cold foam. Then make a quick cold foam by frothing 1/4 cup of milk (I like using 2% or nonfat) with a splash of vanilla syrup until it’s thick and foamy. Spoon that over the top, drizzle on more caramel, and boom… you’ve got yourself a homemade Ultra Caramel Frappuccino that looks and tastes like a total summer treat.