Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino: Sweet Summertime Bliss
A cool, refreshing sip of a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is the perfect sweet treat to kick off a hot summer’s day. And we’ve got the Starbucks copycat recipe to make a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino at home.
Blend ice, coffee, milk, and caramel sauce, and pour into a tall glass. Top with whipped cream, caramel crunch topping, and more caramel sauce to make it exactly like the one from Starbucks. Your caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino coffee awaits!
What You Need
- Frappuccino
- 2 shots of espresso or ¼ cup brewed coffee
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup whipped cream
- 3 tbsp dark caramel sauce or caramel-flavored syrup (recipe below)
- 1 ounce caramel-flavored hard candies
- Blender
- Dark Caramel Sauce
- ¾ cup of granulated sugar
- ½ cup of heavy cream
- ¼ cup of water
- 5 tbsp of unsalted butter (with a pinch of sea salt to taste)
- A splash of vanilla extract
At A Glance
Time:
15 minutes
Yield:
One drink (12 ounces)
How To Make A Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is one of the best Frappuccinos you can get at Starbucks, but we think ours is even better! This homemade Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino only requires a few simple ingredients. We’ll show you how to easily make this delicious drink at home step-by-step.
The Caramel Frappuccino and the Salted Caramel Frappuccino are loved by everyone with a serious sweet tooth. If you find both drinks a bit too sugary, you might prefer our recipe for the O.G. Mocha Frappuccino.
Step 1: Make Caramel Flavor Sauce
Add the sugar and water to a saucepan on medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves to form a clear, bubbling liquid. Prevent crystallization by swirling the saucepan around without stirring.
After about 10 minutes, add the butter to the now amber-colored, thickened liquid caramel in the saucepan and whisk until it has melted. Remove from heat and whisk in heavy cream, a splash of vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Let cool.
You don’t have to make caramel sauce at home if you’re pressed for time. Skip this step by using store-bought caramel sauce or syrup.
Pro Tip: Keep your caramel sauce warm to act like a caramel drizzle. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. It will solidify, so reheat it in the saucepan or the microwave when you need to drizzle.
Step 2: Make Caramel Crunch Topping
Put caramel candies into a bag and crush them into smaller pieces using a mallet or rolling pin. This is a great step for releasing any built-up stress in your life. But don’t pound it too hard, or you’ll end up with a powder instead of a crunch!
Pro Tip: You can use store-bought toffee bits to save time when you make this drink.
Step 3: Brew The Espresso
Pull a double shot of espresso. Chill it briefly in the refrigerator or freezer. Luckily, the small volume of liquid cools quickly.
We recommend a medium or dark roast coffee for this drink to properly balance the very sweet caramel. Choose decaffeinated coffee if you want to enjoy a nighttime coffee frappuccino.
Use an Aeropress, French press, or Moka pot to brew a strong 2-ounce shot of coffee if you don’t have an espresso machine. Or take the easiest route and purchase pre-made cold brew concentrate.
Pro Tip: While your coffee is chilling in the freezer, place a tall, 12-ounce glass in there with it.
Step 4: Blend The Ingredients
Add the ice, coffee or cold brew, milk, and two tablespoons of caramel syrup to the blender. Set it on a low speed first before slowly raising it up to medium power until the consistency is fully smooth.
Pro Tip: You could do this with coffee ice cubes for a more intense flavor and caffeine kick. Just pour regular brewed coffee into your ice cube tray the day before and freeze solid.
Step 5: Add Whipped Cream And Extras
Take your chilled glass out of the freezer and drizzle 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce around the inside. Pour in the blended mixture and generously apply fluffy whipped cream on top. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top of the whipped cream and sprinkle over the crunch topping.
Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Pro Tip: Not a fan of crunchy texture in your coffee drink? Then the classic Caramel Frappuccino is the one for you!
Final Thoughts
This copycat Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino recipe mimics the popular Starbucks icy caramel coffee frappe, but we think it’s even better! It’s a great way to enjoy your sweet summer with an even sweeter drink. To make the caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino at home, all you need is a blend of coffee, ice, milk, and buttery caramel syrup or sauce. Don’t forget the classic topping of whipped cream and crunchy caramel bits for added texture.
FAQs
A Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino has ice, milk, coffee Frappuccino syrup, whipped cream, coffee, dark caramel sauce, caramel sauce, and caramel sugar bits. It is not suitable for dairy-free or vegan diets. Even if you requested plant-based almond milk and no whipped cream, milk is still in the caramel sauces (1).
The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino at Starbucks ranges in price from $4.75 to $6.05 depending on the location of the Starbucks store. The cost may be slightly higher or lower based on your modifications.
There is 60 mg of caffeine in a Tall Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino. A Grande has 85 mg of caffeine, and a Venti has 115 mg of caffeine. For comparison, a cup of brewed coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine, and the recommended daily caffeine limit is 400 mg. For a coffee-free alternative, try the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino.
There are 330 calories in a Tall Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, which includes 42 grams of sugar and 15 grams of fat. A Grande has 470 calories, and a Venti has 570 calories. Enjoy these drinks in moderation.
References
- Starbucks. (n.d.). Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. Retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/1044/iced/nutrition
The base layer is whipped cream not whole milk