This homemade Vanilla Frappe recipe is a blended beverage that requires no ice cream. All you need are just a handful of simple ingredients that you probably already have. Made in just minutes and great for adults and kids!
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Check out my Pineapple Avocado Smoothie and my Instant Pot Hot Chocolate for more drink recipes!
This easy vanilla frappe recipe allows you to skip the drive-thru and enjoy the creamy drink whenever the urge strikes. When you’re craving a refreshing blended drink without the caffeine kick, a vanilla frappe is an excellent choice. All you need are milk, vanilla extract and some sugar.
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It doesn’t get any easier than this 3 ingredient vanilla frappe recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- So easy that the kids can make a batch themselves.
- Deliciously creamy with the perfect amount of vanilla and sweetness.
- Super easy to double or triple!
- A delicious, cool treat for hot summer days.
- The perfect creamy alternative to milkshakes or sugar filled frappes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Milk: I use whole milk for a richer flavor, but feel free to use your favorite milk.
- Vanilla Extract: To intensify the vanilla flavor.
- Sugar: I use granulated sugar, but alternatives such as stevia, honey, etc. work too.
- Whipped Cream: This is optional, but adds great flavor!
- Maraschino Cherries: An optional garnish!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: 2 hours (or the night) before you want to enjoy your frappe, fill a ice cube tray with milk and freeze.*
Step 2: Place the milk cubes, ½ cup of milk, vanilla extract and sugar in a high-powered smoothie blender.
Step 3: Pureé until all cubes are broken down into a smooth milkshake-like consistency.
Step 4: Pour into your serving glass and garnish as desired. Enjoy immediately.
*If you don't have time to prepare milk cubes, use regular ice cubes for a slightly less creamy result.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Try freezing the glasses beforehand for an extra frosty treat!
- Use chilled milk instead of room temperature or warm milk. This will help to make the frappe cold and frothy.
- Use a good quality vanilla extract to get the best flavor.
- Add sugar according to your taste preference. You can add more or less sugar depending on how sweet you like your frappe.
- Top your vanilla frappe with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to give it a finishing touch.
Variations
- Chocolate: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to the vanilla frappe recipe and blend until smooth. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
- Caramel: Add 1-2 tablespoons of caramel sauce to the vanilla frappe recipe and blend until smooth. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with extra caramel sauce.
- Vanilla Bean: Instead of using vanilla extract, add the seeds of a vanilla bean to the blender along with the other ingredients. Blend until smooth and serve with whipped cream.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: These frappes are best when served immediately, but you can keep them in a mason jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator for a few days. It just won't have the same texture once everything melts.
Freezing: If you have leftovers, I recommend freezing them in mason jars in your freezer. Then place the jar in the refrigerator to thaw out a bit.
Recipe FAQ's
I think they taste like a vanilla milkshake but not quite as sweet as a traditional milkshake.
Nothing! They are the same thing!
Yes! If you want to amp up the vanilla flavor, add ½ of a real vanilla bean (gently cut lengthwise along the long edge of the vanilla bean and using the back side of a knife scrape the beans out of the pod) before blending.
It's not overly sweet. The texture is more like a frappuccino and less like a milkshake.
Absolutely! Try chocolate chips, strawberries, a dash of coffee, or whatever you like!
Nope! It's ice cream-based rather than coffee-based.
More Drink Recipes You'll Love
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Vanilla Frappe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups milk approximately
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons sugar to taste
- Whipped cream optional
- 2 maraschino cherries to garnish optional
Instructions
- 2 hours (or the night) before you want to enjoy your frappe, fill a ice cube tray with milk and freeze.
- Place the milk cubes, ½ cup of milk, vanilla extract and sugar in a high-powered smoothie blender.
- Puree until all cubes are broken down into a smooth milkshake-like consistency.
- Pour into your serving glass and garnish as desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Try freezing the glasses beforehand for an extra frosty treat!
- Use frozen milk instead of room temperature or warm milk. This will help to make the frappe cold and frothy.
- Use a good quality vanilla extract to get the best flavor.
- Add sugar according to your taste preference. You can add more or less sugar depending on how sweet you like your frappe.
- Top your vanilla frappe with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to give it a finishing touch.
- Storing: These frappes are best when served immediately, but you can keep them in a mason jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator for a few days. It just won’t have the same texture once everything melts.
- Freezing: If you have leftovers, I recommend freezing them in mason jars in your freezer. Then place the jar in the refrigerator to thaw out a bit.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
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