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This Starbucks-inspired vanilla bean frappuccino is made at home with the easiest ingredients! My recipe includes vanilla bean ice cream, with the option to make it Starbucks-style with no ice cream and a homemade Frappuccino base.
Craving the full coffee house experience at home? Pair your copycat vanilla bean frappe with a slice of soft lemon bread or a pumpkin scone.
Today, we’re making my favorite Starbucks order. Well, one of them. They change by the season: pumpkin spice latte in the fall, eggnog latte at Christmas, and cinnamon dolce latte all year round. In the summer, it’s an iced Americano or this vanilla bean frappuccino. So many delicious drinks, not nearly enough time to support my drive-thru habit. Which is why I make them to order at home!
What’s So Great About This Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino Recipe
- An easy homemade copycat. My version keeps the recipe simple and user-friendly, while still offering a more “true to Starbucks” option for anyone who wants to make it at home.
- Real vanilla beans. I make my drink with real vanilla bean ice cream and powder, and zero funny additives. The best part about making my Starbucks favorites at home is knowing exactly what goes into them.
- Creamy, not icy. The texture is rich and creamy, and not icy at all. It’s more similar to a smooth vanilla milkshake, and just as irresistible!
- Made without caffeine. Made as written, this vanilla bean frappe is delicious and caffeine-free. With the option to change that, of course. I’ll often add an espresso shot on top (affogato-style, yum!).
What’s In a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino?
The original Starbucks Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is a creamy blend of vanilla bean, milk, and ice topped with whipped cream. I like to call this the Diethood vanilla bean frappuccino. In it, we have a handful of ingredients, including vanilla bean ice cream, which makes it different from the Starbucks recipe but still thick, creamy, and refreshing. To make it, you will need:
- Milk and Ice – Whole milk is the best in terms of texture and taste when blended with the ice and other ingredients. However, this iced drink works with any type of milk or non-dairy milk.
- Vanilla Bean Powder – I buy vanilla bean powder from Amazon. Vanilla powder is a more budget-friendly option that can be used instead.
- Vanilla Ice Cream – Vanilla bean ice cream is my fave, but you could use classic vanilla if you prefer.
- Whipped Cream – For swirling on top of the frappuccino. This can be homemade or store-bought.
Make It Without Ice Cream
Starbucks doesn’t actually use ice cream in its Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. They use a syrup called Frappuccino base, which gives it that thick texture. To mimic this, you can blend 1 cup water + 1 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon xanthan gum until smooth, and use ¼ cup of that syrup in place of the ice cream in this recipe.
Tools I Used
(Amazon affiliate links) – Check out my kitchen shop here.
- Blender – You’ll need a strong blender to crush the ice and blend everything into a smooth, creamy frappuccino.
- Measuring Cups – Great for portioning out the milk, vanilla powder, and ice cream so you get the right texture every time.
- Starbucks Cups – Because this homemade frappuccino deserves a proper coffee shop-style presentation.
- Reusable Straws – Perfect for sipping your vanilla bean creation.
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Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk, or 2% milk
- 2 tablespoons vanilla bean powder, or vanilla powder
- 1 scoop (about ⅓ cup) vanilla bean ice cream
- 1 cup ice
- whipped cream, for topping
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients. Add the milk, vanilla bean powder, ice cream, and ice to a blender.
- Blend. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- To make a Starbucks version: To mimic Starbucks’ Frappuccino base syrup (used in their drink instead of ice cream), blend 1 cup water + 1 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon xanthan gum until smooth. Use ¼ cup of syrup in place of the ice cream in the recipe.
- For a more budget-friendly option, use vanilla powder instead of vanilla bean powder.
- For a caffeinated version, add 1 shot of hot espresso, either blended into the drink or poured directly over top, like an affogato.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
How to Make a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
Make sure you’re using a high-powered blender that’s strong enough to crush the ice cubes.
- Combine the ingredients. Start by adding the milk, vanilla bean powder, and ice cream to a blender with ice.
- Blend. Blend the ingredients until they’re smooth and creamy.
- Serve. Pour the frappuccino into a tall glass and garnish with whipped cream. You could also dust the top with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
Add Coffee
For a caffeinated version, try it with a shot of hot espresso poured over top, like an affogato! You could also blend the shot into the drink.
Storing Leftovers
Since it contains frozen ingredients, a frappuccino is best enjoyed when it’s freshly made. It doesn’t store well in the fridge or freezer. If you don’t think you’ll finish a Grande-sized drink, you can always halve the recipe. 🙂
