Copy Cat Caramel Frappe

There’s something irresistible about the first sip of a perfectly blended caramel frappe: a cool, silky rush across the tongue, a flutter of sweet, buttery caramel, and the faint, comforting warmth of coffee beneath it. The aroma is creamy and sugary with that classic café-note that makes you pause and smile. Texture-wise, it’s lush and frosty — thick enough to feel indulgent but smooth enough to glide through a straw.

This copycat caramel frappe is the kind of easy luxury that brightens slow weekend mornings, stirs up nostalgia for summer café runs, and becomes the quick crowd-pleaser at casual gatherings. Make a pitcher for brunch, serve it as a dessert with a slice of something cozy (I love it beside an apple pecan cake with caramel glaze for a caramel-forward pairing) or savor one as a mid-afternoon treat that feels like a tiny, delicious vacation.

Dish Snapshot

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 (multiply as needed)
Difficulty Level: Easy — blender required

Nutrition Highlights
Nutrition per serving (approximate; values rounded)

Calories: ~430 kcal
Protein: ~8 g
Carbohydrates: ~72 g
Fat: ~12 g
Sugars: ~55–65 g (depending on caramel and sugar options)
Sodium: low (varies by caramel sauce brand)

These estimates are based on standard serving sizes for whole milk, granulated sugar, commercial caramel sauce, and whipped cream using USDA FoodData Central entries for those ingredients. Nutrition will change if you swap milk types, omit added sugar, or adjust toppings — see the variations for lower-calorie options.

Why You’ll Love It

The irresistible taste: rich, buttery caramel layered over coffee and milk delivers a classic sweet-coffee hit that many crave from coffee chains.
Comfort and playfulness: it feels like a mini celebration in a glass — great for treating yourself, impressing guests, or making a hot day more fun.
Speed and simplicity: ready in five minutes with common pantry ingredients and a blender.
Versatile: it can be lightened or boosted — dairy or plant milk, extra espresso for a bolder kick, or flavored syrups for a seasonal twist.

How to Make Copy Cat Caramel Frappe

Ingredients

1 cup brewed coffee, cooled
1 cup milk (whole milk recommended for creaminess; see substitutions)
1/2 cup ice
3 tablespoons caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional — adjust to taste)
Whipped cream for topping

Optional ingredients and substitutions

For a lighter drink: use 2% milk or unsweetened almond milk.
Vegan option: use oat or soy milk and a vegan caramel sauce.
Stronger coffee flavor: substitute 1/2 cup brewed coffee + 1/2 cup cold espresso or add a shot of espresso.
Sugar alternatives: replace granulated sugar with 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup, honey (not vegan), or a sugar substitute measured to taste.

Directions

In a blender, combine the brewed coffee (cooled), milk, ice, caramel sauce, and sugar (if using).
Blend on high until smooth and the ice is crushed to your preferred texture — about 20–30 seconds.
Taste and adjust sweetness or strength (add more caramel or espresso as desired).
Pour into a tall glass and top generously with whipped cream.
Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the whipped cream and serve immediately.

Practical tips

Use cold or room-temperature coffee — hot coffee will melt the ice and dilute texture.
Don’t overblend: stop when the ice is crushed but still frosty; overmixing warms the drink and thins it.
If your blender struggles, pulse in short bursts or start with less ice and add more to reach desired thickness.
For a silkier mouthfeel, freeze some of the coffee into cubes and use those instead of plain ice.

Serving Suggestions

Serve plain in a tall glass with a wide straw and extra caramel drizzle for a classic café feel.
Pair as dessert: this frappe complements sweet baked goods like cookies, brownies, or a slice of apple pecan cake with caramel glaze.
Brunch pairing: offer alongside savory bites — the sweet frappe contrasts nicely with salty items like bacon or even crispy tenders for an unexpected crowd-pleaser; try serving it with savory favorites like Copycat Popeyes blackened chicken tenders for a fun snack board.
Presentation tips: rim the glass with a little caramel or crushed toffee for added crunch; garnish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to make the caramel pop.

How to Store

Room temperature: not safe for milk-based drinks — do not leave a made frappe at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures exceed 90°F/32°C).
Refrigeration: store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours; note that texture will separate and become watery — blend briefly before serving if refrigerated.
Freezer: not recommended to freeze the assembled frappe (texture spoils). Instead, freeze leftover coffee or caramel ice cubes for up to 1–2 months to preserve flavor for future frappes.

Chef’s Advice

Coffee strength: for a café-level flavor, brew slightly stronger coffee than usual (use a bit less water per scoop) or add a shot of espresso.
Milk choice matters: whole milk gives the creamiest mouthfeel; oat milk is the best plant-based option for similar creaminess.
Caramel selection: pick a high-quality caramel sauce (look for ingredients you recognize) — it’s the dominant flavor, so better sauce means better drink.
Temperature cue: the frappe should be cold and frosty, not watery. If it melts quickly, use more ice or a slightly thicker milk (or add a tablespoon of vanilla ice cream for stability and richness).
Flavor balance: if it tastes too flat, a pinch of salt can enhance the caramel; if too sweet, add a splash more coffee or unsweetened milk.

Creative Twists

Salted Caramel Mocha: Add 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder or 1 oz chocolate syrup to the blender for a chocolate-caramel twist; top with a pinch of sea salt.
Vegan Caramel Frappe: Swap to oat milk, use a vegan caramel sauce (coconut-based), and top with coconut whipped cream.
Protein Boost: Blend in 1 scoop of vanilla or caramel protein powder for a post-workout treat (reduce added sugar if using flavored protein).
Spiced Caramel: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a fall-inspired version.
Icy Coffee Cubes: Freeze coffee in ice cube trays and use these cubes instead of plain ice to prevent dilution while increasing coffee flavor.

Recipe Q&A
Q: Can I make this without a blender?
A: You can stir strongly and shake in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice, but a blender gives the best frothy, even texture.

Q: How do I make it less sweet?
A: Omit the optional sugar, use a low-sugar caramel, or reduce caramel to 1 tablespoon; increase coffee strength to balance flavors.

Q: Will this separate if I refrigerate leftovers?
A: Yes — the milk and caramel may separate and ice will melt. Re-blend briefly to recombine; best consumed fresh.

Q: Can I use instant coffee?
A: Yes — dissolve instant coffee in a small amount of hot water, let cool, then proceed. Adjust strength to taste.

Q: Is there a lower-calorie option?
A: Use unsweetened almond milk, skip the added sugar, use a reduced-sugar caramel or caramel-flavored sugar substitute, and skip whipped cream.

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Conclusion

This Copy Cat Caramel Frappe is a quick way to recreate a beloved coffeehouse treat at home: creamy, caramel-forward, and endlessly adaptable. Give the basic recipe a whirl, then experiment with milk types, extra espresso, or one of the creative twists above. If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like this classic Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Copycat Recipe – Allrecipes for another copycat take, or try this Easy Homemade Caramel Frappe Recipe – Thrifty Frugal Mom for a slightly different method and tips. Share your photos and variations — I love seeing how readers make this their own!