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A week ago today I was making the 7-hour drive home by myself from music camp in Harrisonburg, VA – and fighting drowsiness. After two weeks of an intense schedule including classes, rehearsal, working, and socializing, I was not surprised at my state of mind but knew that I needed something to wake me up. The normal person would stop for a bracing shot of coffee.
I – unfortunately – hate coffee.
I really didn’t want to eat much of anything, though, and while sugar would’ve woken me up just as much as caffeine, the last thing I wanted was more junk food. (I actually managed to eat pretty clean at camp but did indulge once in awhile and was ready to get back on the straight and narrow.) What did I decide to get? A sugar-free Starbucks frappé. **cue collective audience jaw drop**
I know, I know, it defies many of my own teachings, namely that a) coffee is disgusting, and b) Starbucks is a waste of money. I still think coffee is disgusting, but the coffee flavor in a frappé is usually diluted enough that I can enjoy it. I also still think that Starbucks is a waste of money, but in this case I excused myself because that was all I was having for lunch and no other options sounded good to me at the moment. I’m a terrible THM poster child, I know. A sugar-free frappé made with off-plan ingredients and no protein! What?? I just wanted to get home, y’all. Let’s call it a metabolism wake-up in preparation for returning home to regularly-scheduled programming.
The frappé was amazing, and as I chugged down the road in my minivan, slurping away, my brain was analyzing the taste and texture of that five dollar beverage. Previous attempts to recreate a proper frappé without a ridiculous amount of cream had so far eluded me, but I resolved to give it another try when I had access to my beloved blender again. And try I did, multiple times. Finally, finally, I came up with what I feel is a pretty good version of that Starbucks frappé I had last week. Starbucks frappés have a slushy, fine consistency – not thick and icy. Using plain ol’ ice cubes didn’t give me the right feel, so I froze coffee into ice cubes and used those instead for a much-improved texture (and a stronger coffee flavor – who am I? Some kind of coffee person??).
This recipe makes about half a quart, so if most recipes are too big for you to drink all by yourself, you might enjoy this one. I plan to make some unique variations on it in the next few weeks, so stay tuned! What’s your favorite frappé flavor? Comment below (and give me details about the taste because chances are, I haven’t tried it before).
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As always, check out the Notes section of the recipe for extra info. Check out the links in and below the recipe to see the products I use and recommend. Some of the links included in the recipe and blog post are affiliate links, which means that if you make purchases through these links, I make a small commission to help defray the costs of running this blog (at no extra charge to you). Thanks for your help!
You may also enjoy:
- Starting THM
- my recipe index
- my recipes grouped by fuel type, allergy info, and theme
- all my coffee recipes
- Iced Coffee
Note: As written (without toppings), this frappé can actually be used in a Deep S setting! It doesn’t have any fats of its own but can help fill you up along with a Deep S meal. Do not add half and half or heavy cream if using this in a Deep S setting.
- 7 coffee ice cubes (coffee frozen in standard ice cube trays)
- 1 c. unsweetened almond milk
- 2 T. collagen
- 1 tsp. THM Super Sweet Blend (or more, to taste)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3/32 tsp. (3 doonks) THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder
- ½ tsp. glucomannan
- Possible toppings: a squirt of fat-free Reddi-wip and some sugar-free chocolate syrup
- Blend all the ingredients together in a high-powered blender until smooth. (I use a Vitamix.) If you want a thicker frappé, add another ice cube or two and blend some more. Enjoy!
I prefer to use collagen in this recipe because it is tasteless and dairy-free, but you could try using whey protein instead if you don't mind the taste. It will probably fluff up more.
As written (without toppings), this frappé can actually be used in a Deep S setting! It doesn't have any fats of its own but can help fill you up along with a Deep S meal. Do not add half and half or heavy cream if using this in a Deep S setting.
Suggested products:
- Vitamix Blender (5300 Certified Refurbished) – Amazon
- Great Lakes Collagen (Amazon)
- Great Lakes Collagen (iHerb)
- THM Integral Collagen
- THM Super Sweet Blend
- THM Pure Stevia Extract Powder
- Glucomannan (Amazon)
- Whey Protein Powder
- THM Pristine Whey Protein Powder
Can you sub glucomannan for xanthem gum?
That generally works.
Hi Briana, this looks very delicious! I am new at eating “your healthy” :)) way but really trying! I’m a grandma who just turned a new milestone a few months ago so change is not always easy! :)) A question for you – when I place collagen in a smoothie, it becomes “lumpy” when it contacts the cold ingredients. Is this normal?
Hi there! Hmm…no, I haven’t experienced that with collagen. I’ve only ever used the Great Lakes brand and it dissolves really well. Maybe give that a try? I assume you have a good blender and are blending the smoothie pretty well? Maybe adding the collagen at the end and drizzling it in a little bit at a time while blending (if your blender has an opening in the lid) would help!
Are you sure it was collagen and not gelatin?
Starbucks has a Chesnut Praline Frappe that is amazing!
Please please please develop a Salted Caramel Frappé!!!!
Can’t wait to try it! My favorite frappe and latte flavor is caramel vanilla so just a little caramel extract with this and I’m good to go! I’ve been looking for ways to add more collagen in every day. I add I to my coffee ( I love coffee!) each morning but need more. Thanks Brianna!
The caramel extract is a terrific idea!
McDonald’s is selling a Caramel Frappe. It’s good. I don’t know how to make it. Could you make one? I will try this vanilla Frappe soon. You have some great recipes. I admire you for what you’re doing to help people to change their eating lifestyle. I haven’t completely changed but I’m slowly working on it.
I’ve never had the McDonalds version so I’m not sure what it tastes like, but you could just add caramel extract to this one. 🙂 Here are a few others you could try:
https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/low-carb-homemade-caramel-frappuccino/
https://www.ohsweetmercy.com/caramel-frappe/
https://gracefilledhomemaking.com/2015/08/salted-caramel-frappuccino-thm-fp.html
My sister used to make a white chocolate cake that was great. She didn’t have the chocolate on hand so she substituted Eagle Brand Milk (the kind that’s in a can for making candy, etc.) . Her cake tasted just the same. You can find copycat recipes for the milk on the internet. You may be able to tweak it to comply. There was a lemon pie made with the milk that I was fond of. She always made it for my birthday treat. Sisters are wonderful.
That’s a neat idea…thanks!
This is perfect! I make a pot of coffee a day, but only drink about half. Now I freeze the leftover coffee into cubes and treat myself to an afternoon frappe and feel so spoiled!
That’s a great idea, Joan!
This. Is. Amazing!! So yummy, not too much coffee, and so creamy vanilla! I used whey protein ’cause I don’t have collagen, and I didn’t think of the flavor. Thanks so much Briana!
Great! So glad you liked it!
I’m like you & think Starbucks is ridiculous, so I loved & indulged in McDonald’s caramel frappe!! My daughter worked there & would bring one home tho me often. Would love to replicate that one for sure. It was a regular frappe with caramel swirled through it & whipped cream on yup with more caramel drizzled over that!! I’m salivating just typing this…
Sounds good! I’ll keep that in mind!
I actually make a frappe similar to this recipe, but Salted caramel. I use 1 tsp caramel extract in place of the vanilla and a couple pinches of pink salt. So good!
Harrisonburg and coffee in the same post! Doesn’t get much better than that! Briana, you are a lovely and fun woman of God! Thank you!
Aw, thank YOU for reading, Kathi!
Cannot wait to try this. Did you ever get a white chocolate mocha made? I love hot and/or cold white chocolate mocha!! I have never been able to recreate one on plan.
No, not yet. 🙂
Sipping (chugging) my first one now. Delicious recipe, I’ll be making more! Thanks!
Woohoo! I’m so glad you like it!
My fave used to be a Carmel white mocha, something I gave up entirely starting on THM 2 years ago. I can’t wait to try this version and would love for a white mocha version to be created. I don’t think anyone has successfully duplicated that flavor yet? Thank you for all your wonderful recipes and honesty about creating them.❤️
Thanks for the suggestion, Wendy! The white chocolate stuff can be hard to recreate, but I’ll put it on my list and see if I can give it a try one of these days!
Maybe you can try baking white chocolate? Than add on plan sweeteners! I think it’s Bakers brand!
The only white baking chocolate I can find has sugar in it (even Baker’s brand), but cocoa butter may be an option.
would white chocolate flavoring work, or be too subtle?
I haven’t tried white chocolate flavoring yet, so I’m afraid I don’t know!
You are my hero! <3
I’m not sure if I can post a picture here but if you go to *gasp* Caribou Coffee’s website, you will see a very pretty drink that says Brains Frozen MINDS BLOWN. I didn’t try whatever it was but I did order a sugar-free Frapp! (And they told me it was made with stevia!) Anyway, the reason why I write is because when I saw the picture of this beautiful drink, I thought it said Briana Thomas! I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven that I could get a THM Briana Thomas drink right off the menu!!!! Then my eyes kicked in and I read what it really said but it made me excited for the ‘what if’ moment in the future!!! Keep doing what you’re doing and maybe I’ll see Your name for real and won’t have to wait for my eyes to adjust….it WILL be you!!!
Bahaha…that’s awesome. I don’t know that there will ever be a coffee drink named after me – but maybe a peanut butter milkshake would work… 😛
I can’t wait to make this. Unlike you, I am an EXTREME coffee lover. With 4 small children, I survive off of my cold caffeinated beverages. But if you plan on trying to make some new coffee flavors (despite your aversion to the drink), please PLEASE could you come up with a THM friendly version of the Starbucks iced Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato? It is my absolute favorite, and NO ONE has a healthy copy cat version. So I have to suffer the guilt of drinking the real thing. I love all your recipes though, and look forward to seeing what else you create. 🙂
Thanks for the idea! Could you describe it for me?
It’s equal parts espresso coffee and coconut milk, flavored with a white chocolate mocha sauce and just a drizzle of caramel. The main flavors that come through are the white chocolate and the coconut milk. It’s sweet and creamy and oh-so-good.
I’ll have to add it to my ideas list! Thanks!
Sounds delicious and easy! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for posting!
This looks great! My favorite is their white chocolate raspberry….I don’t need it to be white chocolate but do you think I could modify this to that by adding cocoa powder and raspberry extract? I can’t wait to try this.. Just froze a gallon bag of coffee cubes the other day! Thanks!
It would definitely be worth a try!
You crack me up! I used to be a Frappacino lover, mostly because I love frozen drinks and my sister manages a Starbucks. I probably have a few too many of the THM versions but I figure it’s better than the alternative! Can’t wait to try this new one. 🙂 Thanks for your outright honesty. It really is a breath of fresh air when someone is real!!!
Thanks for not judging too harshly… 😛 Thankfully this recipe is Fuel Pull, so you can have as many as you want!