Homemade Vanilla Frappuccino
7 min
|
easy
|
vegetarian
Recipe by Eunice
Introduction
This homemade Vanilla Frappuccino gives you the coffeehouse treat without the line, the coffee-free cousin of the classic that drinks like a thick vanilla bean milkshake thanks to ice cream and a hit of condensed milk.
Perfect for steamy afternoons, brunch, or movie night, it blends up in minutes and lands creamy, cold, and unapologetically indulgent, crowned with whipped cream if you like a little drama.
Ingredients (2 servings)
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Ingredients
- 2 scoops vanilla bean ice cream vanilla bean ice cream 4 fl oz
- 1½ cups whole milk whole milk 12 fl oz
- 3 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk sweetened condensed milk 1.5 oz
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract pure vanilla extract 0.5 tsp
- whipped cream (optional but fun!) heavy cream 4 fl oz (for whipped cream)
- 1 cup ice ice
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Frappuccino
-
Chill the glasses
Pop two serving glasses in the freezer for 5 minutes because temperature control keeps this beauty thick and frosty.
-
Build the liquid base
Add the milk, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract to the blender, and toss in a tiny pinch of salt to make the vanilla pop.
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Add ice cream and ice
Drop in the vanilla bean ice cream and the ice, then blend starting low and moving to high until smooth and thick, about 20 to 30 seconds.
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Dial in texture and sweetness
Taste and adjust by adding a splash more milk if too thick or another spoon of condensed milk if you want it sweeter.
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Serve it right
Pour into the chilled glasses, crown with whipped cream, and sip immediately while it is frosty and luscious.
Substitutions
- Milk -> Cold brew coffee
- Swap the 1 1/2 cups milk for the same amount of cold brew to turn it into a true vanilla coffee frappuccino, keeping the creamy body while adding a bold, bittersweet backbone and a caffeine kick.
- Sweetened condensed milk -> Maple syrup + splash of cream or coconut cream
- Use 2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup and add 1 tablespoon heavy cream or coconut cream for body, giving you a cleaner sweetness with a hint of maple while maintaining that silky mouthfeel.
- Vanilla extract -> Vanilla bean paste
- Use 3/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste instead for deeper, floral vanilla flavor and those gorgeous specks that read like a café drink.
Tips
- Blend smart for texture
- Liquids go in first, solids second, ice last, so the blades grab efficiently and you get a thick, smooth blend without overworking the ice.
- Keep it cold and quick
- Overblending warms the drink and thins it out, so stop as soon as you see a steady, glossy vortex and thick ribbons forming.
- Salt makes vanilla sing
- A tiny pinch of fine salt boosts vanilla and rounds the sweetness, giving you a grown-up flavor that does not taste flat.
- Control dilution
- If you like a super creamy finish, freeze some milk in an ice cube tray and use that instead of regular ice for zero watery flavor.
- No waste, ever
- Freeze leftovers in ice cube trays and blend them later with a splash of milk for round two, or stick popsicle sticks in and freeze for instant vanilla pops.
- Dress it like a pro
- Dust the whipped cream with vanilla sugar or shave a little white chocolate on top for café vibes without the café markup.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 301 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 11 | g |
| Total Fat | 12 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- How do I make it thicker without turning it icy?
- Add another half scoop of ice cream or a few milk ice cubes instead of regular ice so you build body without extra water.
- It got too thin after blending, how do I fix it?
- Blend in a handful of ice or a small scoop of ice cream in quick pulses until it returns to a spoon-coating consistency.
- Can I make it dairy free?
- Yes, use vanilla coconut ice cream, a creamy non-dairy milk like oat or coconut, and coconut whipped cream to keep the texture lush and the vanilla front and center.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Blend, pour into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 1 hour, then reblend with a splash of milk to bring back that fresh, frosty texture.
- How do I add coffee without making it bitter?
- Use smooth cold brew and keep the condensed milk, since its round sweetness balances coffee's bite without needing extra sugar.
- Why does mine taste flat even with vanilla?
- You likely need that tiny pinch of salt and a touch more vanilla, since cold dulls flavors and needs a nudge to shine.
Serving Suggestions
Caramel drizzle on the glass and a dusting of crushed vanilla wafers turn this into a true dessert sip with layered sweetness and texture.
For a coffeehouse vibe, blend with cold brew and finish with a quick cocoa sprinkle, then pair it with something salty like pretzels to keep each sip tasting brighter.
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