Kat's Kitchen

If you’ve ever tried the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino from Starbucks, you know just how delectable and dreamy this drink is.

Starbucks uses a drool-worthy dark caramel sauce and then they layer the blended drink with whipped cream and top it all off with a caramel crunch topping and caramel drizzle. It is divine but it is expensive.

So today I’ll show you how to make this work of art at home, so you can impress the heck out of all your family and friend, or at the very least, your taste buds! Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need for this drink!

Ingredients Needed To Make a Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino

• Milk: The standard milk in this recipe at Starbucks is whole milk, so that’s what you’ll see in this recipe, but you could absolutely use any milk you like.
• Instant Coffee: I’m a big fan of using instant coffee instead of liquid coffee in my at home Frappuccinos because Starbucks also doesn’t use liquid coffee like espresso or brewed coffee, and because I find it gives the drink a deliciously strong coffee flavor, without watering it down. You can substitue the instant coffee for brewed coffee, cold brew, or espresso. I’ll talk more about that later in the recipe.
• Xanthan Gum: Xanthan Gum is a flavorless powder that acts as a binding agent or thickener in many recipes. I like using xanthan gum in my at home Frappuccino/blended coffee recipes because it doesn’t change the flavor, but it drastically improves the texture of the drink. You only need 1/4 teaspoon, so a small amount goes a long way.
• Dark Caramel Sauce: The main sweetener of this drink is the Dark Caramel Sauce. The ingredients for this sauce are very similar to a regular Caramel Sauce, but this recipe includes a decadent homemade version that will take your Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino to the next level!
• Ice: Since this is a blended coffee beverage, you will need ice. For extra coffee flavor in your Frappuccino, try using coffee ice cubes!
• Whipped cream: Starbucks adds a layer of whipped cream to the bottom and the top of their Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino so we will be doing the same! You can use any store-bought whipped cream canister, or you can make whipped cream yourself at home with Vanilla Syrup and heavy whipping cream in a whipped cream dispenser (and N20 chargers). Feel free to use a dairy-free or sugar-free whipped topping substitute based on your preferences.
• Caramel Sauce: The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino has Dark Caramel Sauce inside the blended coffee beverage, but regular Caramel Sauce on top. You could use the Dark Caramel Sauce for both, or use a regular Caramel Sauce to stay true to the recipe.
• Caramel Crunch Topping: This recipe will show you how to make a Homemade Caramel Crunch Topping with sugar and salt, but you could also use a crushed butterscotch candy or even a crushed Heath Toffee Candy Bar!

What Is Xanthan Gum?

Xanthan gum is a binding agent that gives a Frappuccino a creamy and fluffy texture. If you don’t use xanthan gum, the ice in your Frappuccino will separate from the liquid. You’ll slurp up all the flavored milk and coffee first, and be left with a cup of flavorless ice.

I very much recommend using xanthan gum in your at home Frappuccinos and blended beverages for a smooth, creamy, fluffy texture.

Note, you only need about 1/4 TEASPOON of xanthan gum. Any more than that, and you’ll be left with a weird, gummy Frappuccino.

Which Instant Coffee is Best?

You can use any instant coffee powder you enjoy most! Personally, I prefer the flavor of a medium roast, but feel free to use your favorite. Just know, some instant coffees may be lighter or darker roast than others, so that will affect the overall flavor of the Frappuccino.

Some of my favorite instant coffees include:

• Nescafe Ice Roast
• Waka Coffee Medium Roast Instant Coffee
• Press Coffee Instant Specialty Coffee
• Nescafe Gold Instant Espresso
• Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso
• Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee Medium Roast Packets Pike Place Roast Packets

Can I Use Regular Caramel Sauce?

Absolutely! If you don’t want to make a homemade Dark Caramel Sauce, you could use a regular Caramel Sauce. You could use a Caramel Syrup instead as well, just know you won’t be able to drizzle the syrup around the inside of the cup or on top of the whipped cream.

Note, you can also use a Sugar Free Caramel Sauce or a Sugar Free Caramel Syrup if you prefer a lower sugar option! You could also opt for a dairy-free caramel sauce option!

Can I Use Liquid Coffee Instead of Instant Coffee?

Yes you can! I prefer instant coffee since it’ll give you coffee flavor without watering down the Frappuccino, but you can absolutely use regular brewed coffee like from a Keurig, coffee pot, Nespresso, or even a bottled iced coffee or cold brew option.

If you do decide to use a liquid form of coffee, I recommend using 4 ounces of chilled coffee and 4 ounces of milk OR 2 shots of espresso (2.5oz) and 6 ounces of milk.

What If My Frappuccino is Too Thick or Too Runny?

If your Frappuccino is too thick, just add a few tablespoons more of milk and blend the mixture again. If it’s too watery, add a little bit more ice and blend again.

How Can I Make This Dairy Free?

For a dairy-free Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, simply use your favorite plant based milk, plant based whipped cream, a dairy-free caramel sauce, and a dairy free toffee candy topping!

How Can I Make This Lower Sugar or Lower Calorie?

Some ways to you can lower the sugar content of this Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino:

• Use unsweetened almond milk instead of whole milk
• Use a sugar free whipped cream or whipped topping
• Opt for a Sugar Free Caramel Sauce or a Sugar Free Salted Caramel Syrup
• Omit the Caramel Crunch Topping or crush up a sugar free butterscotch candy to add to the top

Make as many modifications as you would like above to lower the sugar or to make a completely sugar free Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino!

How Can I Make This High Protein?

Bump up the protein of this drink by using a high protein milk like this Fairlife Milk or by using a Caramel Protein Shake instead of the the milk in the recipe!

Can I Make This Without Coffee?

Yes! Simply omit the instant coffee in the recipe and you have a delicious Caramel Ribbon Crunch Cream Frappuccino without the coffee!

How Would I Make This As A Hot Coffee/Latte?

You can easily modify this Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino into a hot brewed coffee or a hot latte!

For a hot coffee:

• 1-2 tablespoons Dark Caramel Sauce
• 8-10 ounces hot coffee
• 1-2 tablespoons whole milk/half & half/heavy cream
• Whipped Cream
• Caramel Drizzle
• Caramel Crunch Topping

For a hot latte:

• 1-2 tablespoons Dark Caramel Sauce
• 2 shots of espresso (about 2-2.5 ounces)
• 8-10 ounces steamed whole milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
• Whipped Cream
• Caramel Drizzle
• Caramel Crunch Topping

How Would I Make This As an Iced Coffee/Latte/Cold Brew?

For an iced coffee or cold brew:

• 1-2 tablespoons Dark Caramel Sauce
• 12-16 ounces iced coffee/cold brew
• 2-3 tablespoons whole milk/half & half/heavy cream
• Ice
• Whipped Cream
• Caramel Drizzle
• Caramel Crunch Topping

For an iced latte:

• 1-2 tablespoons Dark Caramel Sauce
• 2 shots of espresso (about 2-2.5 ounces)
• 8-10 ounces whole milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
• Ice
• Whipped Cream
• Caramel Drizzle
• Caramel Crunch Topping

Dark Caramel Sauce Recipe

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (substitute with coconut cream for a dairy free version)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

1. To a pot, add sugar and water and gently mix until the sugar is fully submerged in the water.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 7-10 minutes.
3. Once the mixture turns an amber brown color, cook for one more minute, then remove from the heat. The mixture should be dark brown with light brown bubbles.
4. Add in the heavy cream, let the bubbles die down and whisk until smooth and glossy. Stir in the salt until combined.
5. Transfer the caramel sauce to a heat-proof jar or container, and let cool for at least 1 hour before placing in the fridge! The sauce will be good for 3-4 weeks.
6. Note the sauce will thicken in the fridge. To soften the caramel, add you desired amount to a microwave safe container or bowl and microwave in 10 second intervals until it reaches the desired consistency.

Caramel Crunch Topping Recipe

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Combine sugar and salt on a silicone lined baking sheet and stir to combine. Spread the mixture evenly over the baking sheet in a thin layer.
3. Bake at 425 for 4 minutes, then remove the baking sheet from the oven, and stir the sugar and salt mixture with a nonstick spatula.
4. Place the baking sheet back in the oven for another 4 minutes, and then remove and stir again.
5. Bake for 1-2 more minutes or until the sugar is 90% melted and the edges turn an amber brown color.
6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and stir one last time until all the sugar has fully melted.
7. Let the mixture cool completely and then break into small pieces and store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe:

Homemade whipped cream is so simple to make! All you need is Vanilla Syrup, Heavy Whipping Cream, a Whipped Cream Dispenser, and an N20 Charger!

Add 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 2-3 tablespoons Vanilla Syrup to the whipped cream dispenser. Add the N20 charger to the inside of the cap and twist until you hear a hissing noise. Shake to chill the cream and squeeze out your homemade whipped cream!

How To Make A Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino At Home:

1. To a blender, add whole milk, instant coffee, Dark Caramel Sauce, xanthan gum, and ice.
2. Blend the mixture until smooth.
3. Add whipped cream to your cup and add a drizzle of Dark Caramel Sauce.
4. Pour in the blended Frappuccino mixture.
5. Top with more whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and Caramel Crunch Topping, and enjoy!

What Are The Starbucks Ratios For This Drink?

Follow the ratios below for each size Starbucks drink!

	TALL	GRANDE	VENTI
WHOLE MILK	4 OUNCES	6 OUNCES	8 OUNCES
DARK CARAMEL SAUCE	1 TBSP	1.5 TBSP	2 TBSP
INSTANT COFFEE	1 TEASPOON	2 TEASPOONS	3 TEASPOONS
XANTHAN GUM	1/4 TEASPOON	1/4 TEASPOON	1/4 TEASPOON
ICE	1/2 CUP	2/3 CUP	1 1/4 CUP

More At Home Starbucks Frappuccino Recipes To Try:

• Starbucks Pistachio Frappuccino
• Starbucks Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino
• Starbucks Matcha Creme Frappuccino