Homemade Caramel Frappuccino with rich coffee, decadent caramel sauce, and whipped cream. Customize flavors and enjoy a coffee shop treat at home.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:1 serving 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled (dark roast preferred)
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 cup ice cubes (more or less, to desired thickness)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup heavy cream, warmed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup heavy cream, cold
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
Make the Caramel Sauce:
Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan.
Cook over medium heat without stirring until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color (5-8 minutes).
Remove from heat and carefully pour in warmed heavy cream (it will bubble).
Stir in softened butter and sea salt until smooth.
Cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm gently if needed.
Prepare the Whipped Cream:
Chill your mixing bowl and whisk/beaters in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
Pour cold heavy cream into the chilled bowl. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Whip on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Blend the Frappuccino:
Brew and cool strong coffee.
In a high-powered blender, combine cooled coffee, milk, sugar, and xanthan gum.
Add ice cubes (start with 1 cup, add more as needed).
Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
Assemble the Frappuccino:
Drizzle the inside of a tall glass with caramel sauce.
Pour in the blended Frappuccino.
Top with whipped cream.
Drizzle with more caramel sauce.
Enjoy!
Notes
Coffee Strength: Adjust the amount of coffee to your liking.
Sweetness: Adjust the amount of sugar to your preference.
Dairy-Free: Use your favorite non-dairy milk and whipped cream alternative.
Caramel Swirl: Add a tablespoon of caramel sauce directly into the blender.
Mocha Frappuccino: Add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the blender.
Peanut Butter Frappuccino: Add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the blender.
Salted Caramel: Add a pinch of sea salt to the Frappuccino before blending.
Make it Ahead: You can prepare the coffee base ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
Xanthan Gum Substitute: You can try using a small amount of cornstarch (about 1/2 teaspoon) as a substitute.
Espresso Shot: For a stronger coffee kick, add a shot of espresso to the blender.
Caramel Bits: Sprinkle some caramel bits on top of the whipped cream for added texture and flavor.
Frappuccino Too Thin: If your Frappuccino is too thin, add more ice and blend again until it reaches your desired consistency.
Frappuccino Too Thick: If your Frappuccino is too thick, add a little bit of milk and blend again until it thins out.
Caramel Sauce Too Thick: If your caramel sauce is too thick, gently warm it in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up.
Whipped Cream Not Whipping: Make sure your heavy cream and equipment are very cold. If the cream still isn’t whipping, try adding a few drops of lemon juice or cream of tartar.