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This Vanilla Frappuccino Recipemay just be my new favorite drink!
Not only is it a low calorie treat, it’s also dairy-free!
What is a Frappuccino?
If you have never had a Frappuccino, you are missing out!
A Frappuccino is a cold coffee beverage that can be prepared in several different varieties and flavors. The Starbucks website describes a Frappuccino as, “a blended coffee beverage made with ice and any combination of syrups, cream bases, and other flavorings.”
It originates from the famous Starbucks Coffee Company, and was originally introduced in 1993. The Frappuccino is made of ice, blended with coffee, cream/milk, and other flavorings. Not only are they delicious but they are also very refreshing!
It is possible to make your own at home without any special equipment or previous barista experience. The recipe below will teach you how to make a Starbucks Copycat Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. This recipe has a rich vanilla bean taste that is a perfect treat for a hot summer day.
If you can’t get enough of Starbucks but don’t want to drop the money every time you crave one, then this recipe for a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino is just for you.
Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino {dairy free}
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 vanilla bean or 1 tbsp vanilla paste
- 1 tsp vanilla (omit if using vanilla paste)
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Scrape the vanilla bean into the cup of milk (or add vanilla paste).
- Whisk in remaining ingredients. Don't worry about the sugar dissolving 100%. It will all blend up together in the end, so it's not a big deal right now.
- Freeze 1/2 cup of the mixture in a silicon ice cube tray. Cover the remaining 1/2 cup and chill until the ice cubes are ready.
- Use a single serve blender (or a mason jar and a standard blender) and blend the ice cubes and remaining almond milk mixture until smooth. Add 1-2 tsp milk as needed to make the drink thinner.
- Serve immediately. Serves 1.
Notes about this recipe:
- Check out this recipe to see how to use a mason jar with a standard blender to create a single-serve blender.
- Optional (but yummy): whip up a batch of this chocolate syrup and pour a little inside your glass before filling with the frappuccino!
How does Starbucks make a Frappuccino?
According to Starbucks, they start by blending ice with their proprietary frappuccino mix until it’s thick and creamy. Afterward, baristas will add additional flavors like caramel or vanilla bean puree—which gives this drink its distinct taste as well as its color. Finally, the Frappuccino gets topped with whipped cream and flavored syrup.
What is the difference between frappe and Frappuccino?
The main difference between the two names is that “frappe” originated in New England whereas “Frappuccino” was first used at Starbucks.
The word frappe originally referred to a thick milkshake made with ice cream whereas the word Frappuccino is used globally by Starbucks, and mainly refers to a cold coffee beverage which is also known as an iced coffee.
Both drinks are similar, but a frappe is typically made with raw eggs and without any coffee.
What is in Starbucks Frappuccino base?
Starbucks Frappuccino base is made of coffee extract, sugar, salt, natural flavor, milk powder, and xanthan gum.
Starbucks has over 20 different varieties of frappuccino with flavors like cinnamon dolce, chai, and peppermint mocha.
Do frappes have coffee in them?
Frappes are made with coffee extract, milk, sugar, water, and ice to get their thick, smooth texture.
Some frappe flavors have coffee in them but not all of them do. For example, the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino does have coffee in it while the very popular Caramel Frappuccino doesn’t.
Food Allergy Awareness
In honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week, one of my personal friends Megan asked me to come up with a dessert sans at least one of the top 8 allergens. I decided that fish and shellfish weren’t super applicable here and went for something a little tougher — dairy.
I actually suffer from a mild case of dairy intolerance, so I like to use Almond Milk where I can! This is a perfect recipe for using Almond Milk — maybe even better than regular milk, because you can buy Vanilla flavored Almond Milk.
I also added a swirl of this dairy-free Homemade Chocolate Syrup, just because that’s how I like to get my frappuccinos at Starbucks! Enjoy!
Learn more about and connect with Food Allergy Research & Education here:
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Costco Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe: No-Knead Nut Delight
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Chocolate Coffee Creamer Recipe: Homemade Mocha Delight
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Can You Use Frozen Bananas for Banana Bread?
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Dessert Casserole Recipe: Delicious Smores Casserole Ideas
