Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

Cool and creamy, this vanilla bean frappuccino blends into a thick, icy drink with a rich vanilla flavor. The texture sits between a milkshake and a classic frozen café drink. A swirl of whipped cream on top makes it feel like a coffee shop treat.

When I want something cold and creamy but don't feel like heading out to a coffee shop, I make this vanilla crème frappuccino at home. After testing it a few times, I found that blending it just long enough to break down the ice makes a big difference in getting that thick, icy texture that feels like a café drink. It's quick to throw together and works well when you want a sweet frozen treat without pulling out a long list of ingredients.

I also like making this when I want a break from my usual coffee shop drinks but still want something refreshing in the afternoon. When I'm in the mood for something more coffee-focused, I often switch things up with this iced Americano, which is simple and bold. And when I'm craving something creamy but different, my coconut shake is another easy-blended drink that comes together just as quickly. These kinds of drinks are nice to have in your back pocket when you want a cool homemade treat without much effort.

Ingredients

• ice
• milk
• vanilla bean ice cream
• vanilla extract
• sugar
• whipped cream, optional

Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.

Instructions

This Starbucks copycat recipe for a vanilla frappuccino is so easy to make at home. Just follow these easy step-by-step directions.

Hint: When only making a single serving of the copycat Starbucks vanilla bean frappuccino recipe, a small smoothie blender works better than a full-size blender. You can also use a small food processor.

Variations

Want to change up this creamy vanilla milkshake recipe? Here are a few modifications you can try:

• Caramel: Adding caramel sauce to your vanilla bean frappe will give it a delightful buttery and slightly sweet flavor. You can either swirl the caramel sauce into the drink or simply drizzle it on top as a garnish. If you want an even stronger caramel taste, consider using caramel-flavored syrup instead.
• Use milk alternatives. Swap out regular milk for almond or coconut milk to reduce the carb content.
• Cut down the sugar. Opt for sugar-free ice cream and natural sweeteners like stevia instead of sugar. You can also use no-sugar whipped cream or sugar-free chocolate shavings as guilt-free garnishes.
• Add a shot of espresso to this homemade vanilla bean frappuccino for an energizing boost of flavor.

Tips

• Stop blending once the ice is broken down. Over-blending can melt the ice and make the drink watery. Once the mixture looks evenly blended and the ice is fully crushed, stop the blender so the drink keeps its thick texture.
• Serve right away for the best consistency. This drink is at its best immediately after blending. If it sits for even a few minutes, the ice starts to melt and the texture becomes thinner.
• Use a chilled glass if you want it to stay thick longer. If you like to sip slowly, place your serving glass in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring the drink. The cold glass helps keep the frappuccino thick and icy a little longer.

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Storage

If you have made a large batch of vanilla frappuccinos and want to save some for later use, consider freezing it. Pour the frappuccino into ice cube trays and freeze until solid.

Once frozen, transfer the frappuccino cubes into a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, you can easily take out individual cubes whenever you crave a refreshing vanilla bean treat. Just let them thaw slightly before blending or enjoying as they are!

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