Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Light You Can Now Make at Home
This Starbucks creation, which cuts the fat, carbs and calories of the original Frappuccino is a top-seller with coffee house regulars. Starbucks says their light version is 54% fewer calories per serving than the original Frappuccino. Sounds pretty good so I decided to tackle a skinny recipe to enjoy at home. My favorite is their caramel one. I’ve cut the fat and calories by using 1% milk, mostly Splenda or Stevia and a little sugar. Adding just a small amount of sugar really adds to the taste. You really don’t need much. The skinny for 1 serving is 132 calories, 1.8 grams of fat and 4 Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS. This includes a little light whipped cream and caramel drizzle on top. A Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Light has 152 calories and 1.3 grams of fat not including whipped cream or caramel drizzle. Sit down, relax and enjoy this rich tasting, chilly treat. Have fun skinny sipping!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
⅔ cup double-strength regular or decaf coffee, chilled, see prep tip
⅔ cup (1%) low-fat milk, see substitution tip
2 tablespoons caramel topping
4 packages Splenda, Stevia, Equal or your favorite sugar substitute
2 teaspoons sugar
1½ teaspoons vanilla
2¾ cups ice
Topping
Light whipped cream or light vanilla flavored whipped cream, see shopping tip
1½ teaspoons caramel topping
Instructions
1. Combine chilled coffee, milk, 2 tablespoons caramel topping, Splenda, sugar, vanilla and ice in a blender. Blend on high speed until ice is crushed and drink is smooth. Pour into 2 glasses.
3. Top each glass with 2 tablespoons whipped cream and drizzle about ¾ teaspoon caramel topping over each.
4. Serve at once with a straw.
Makes 2-(12 oz) drink.
Food Fact
In 2004, Starbucks created a “Light” version which according to the company has 54% of the calories, 15% of the fat and 52% of the carbohydrates of the original. Frappuccino is a trademarked line of blended coffee drinks sold by Starbucks. It consists of coffee blended with ice and various other ingredients, usually topped with whipped cream.
Shopping Tip
New to some supermarkets is a light vanilla flavored whipped cream. The vanilla makes it a creamy color. instead of white. I found it at Safeway/Vons. If you can’t find it use any brand of light whipped cream.
Prep Tip
Make double-strength regular or decaf coffee by brewing with twice the coffee required by your coffee maker. Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per each cup of coffee. Chill before using. Make extra, if desired, to keep on hand in the refrigerator.
I like to used fresh brewed hazelnut flavored coffee for this recipe because I love hazelnut coffee but any regular or decaf coffee will work.
Substitution Tip
To cut the calories and fat further, use nonfat milk instead of 1% and all Splenda, no sugar. These Skinny Facts still include the topping- 109 calories, 1g fat, 3g protein, 22g carbs, 133mg sodium 0g fiber, 1g sugar. Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 3- made with nonfat milk, no sugar, only Splenda and includes toppings
Weight Watchers (old points) 3
Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 4
| Skinny Facts: for a (12oz) serving including 2 tablespoons light whipped cream and a little caramel drizzle 133 calories, 1.8g fat, 3g protein 26g carbs, 0g fiber, 9g sugar, 126mg sodium, 9g sugar |
| Regular Facts: for a Starbucks (12 oz) Light Caramel Frappuccino 152 calories, 1.3g fat, 6g protein, 30g carbs, 2g fiber, 2.4g fiber. 22g sugar |
June 18th, 2011 at 10:57 am
Wow wow wow…..thank you so so much for this article! I’m a ice cream freak..(since birth)lol
Well my life goes a lil lke this…… I was in a terrible accident a few back which lead into a wheelchair….and a year stay into the hospital…. (terrible injury’s) being in this wheelchair has cause my weight to go up…..up….and…..up…. I could eat icecream with every meal even if I didn’t have a meal to go with it…….I would have to give up my icecream if i Were serious about my health to recovery….it was hard this was my therpy for all my long days in therpy..I did it but couldn’t hold out any longer! So yes I discovery starbucks……this was my answer to a quick fix…..and yes…..fix is what it did…fix my pockets very low…=(
So iam so greatful for you……I can make this at home….and kill 2 birds with one stone..less calories and less money! Thank you so much…… one question? How many points with the whip cream? If I buy fat free whip will I get the same taste?
June 18th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Thanks so much for stopping by. The WW Points Plus does include 2 tablespoons of light whipped cream. I think fat-free would taste good too. Just not quite as rich.
Wow what a story you shared. I wish you all the very best!
July 6th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
What is the caramel topping in the recipe exactly? The caramel sauces that I’ve found are 160 calories or so per serving of 2Tbs. So they couldn’t be as low calorie as yours. Just wondering! I’d love to make these at home and keep them low calorie.
July 6th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Mary Ellen, I used Smucker’s Sundae Syrup, Caramel. It has 50 calories for one tablespoon and 0 fat.
Most supermarkets sell it. It comes in a squeeze bottle. Good luck!
May 6th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Yum! This would be a delicious breakfast treat! I’d love you to link up this post at Breakfast Ideas Mondays – http://www.yummyinspirations.net/2012/05/breakfast-ideas-mondays-3.html
May 6th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Girl! You suck me in good with all these amazing skinny recipes you share! Yahooo!! Keep up the good work. This sounds amazing and I can’t wait to make it. Caramel is MY favorite too! =)
May 7th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
I can do without the caramel, but I love cold coffee with milk. What a great summer drink!
May 7th, 2012 at 11:42 pm
[...] Click here for the full recipe! [...]
May 8th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
I’ve made this twice and it is sooo good! I’m so happy that you shared this at Mix it up Monday!