This sugar free frappuccino is a healthier version of a classic favorite. Sweetened only with homemade date caramel, you’d never know you were eating something good for you! Cool down with a healthy cold blended coffee drink without sacrificing the summer bod you worked so hard on.
I adore frappuccinos. So much so, I even got my husband addicted to them.
The problem is that they’re pretty much the worst for you.
Especially if you’re like me and love the ones with the gooey caramel sauce and whipped cream on top.
If you try to limit your sugar intake, it’s pretty much impossible to justify slurping one down on any given day. With that in mind, I went to work trying to figure out how on Earth to have my frapp and drink it too.
Enter the sugar free frappuccino.
You guys. This thing is amazing.
While it obviously doesn’t taste exactly like a Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino (come on, everyone, it’s made with dates.) it definitely is so, so good.
My version has no added or refined sugars, plus the dates add in some vitamins and fiber making it much more filling and satisfying.
Tips for making homemade date caramel
The trick really does lie in the homemade date caramel.It’s buttery and sweet without any refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. It adds that sticky caramel taste you love.
- If your dates seem a little dry, you might need to simmer a bit longer.
- Any milk will work here – I used whole milk since it’s what we always have on hand. But if you’re looking for a dairy free version, you could use a milk alternative. Cashew and coconut milk would be a smart addition for the creaminess.
- If you want to add even more sweetness, add a few drops of stevia. If you use vanilla stevia omit the vanilla.
Sugar Free Frappuccino with Date Caramel
Top this healthy frappuccino with homemade whipped cream or whipped coconut cream for extra decadence! You can feel good eating this with your breakfast.
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Sugar Free Frappuccino with Date Caramel
Ingredients
Date Caramel
- 1 cup water
- .5 cup dates about 5
- .25 cup milk of choice I used whole milk, but I think cashew milk would be perfect
- .5 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Sugar Free Frappuccino
- 1 cup ice
- .5 cup milk of choice
- .5 cup very strong coffee
- 2-3 TBS date caramel
- heavy cream, stevia optional
Instructions
For the date caramel
-
Boil the water and add in the dates. Allow to simmer 5 minutes.
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Pour into a blender and blend until smooth.
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Add in milk, vanilla, and salt, and blend to combine. Cool completely before using.
For the sugar free frappuccino
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Add ice, milk, coffee, and date caramel (start with 2 tablespoons and increase to taste) to your blender and blend until smooth.
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Serve immediately with date caramel drizzle and whipped heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy free.
Recipe Notes
If you’d like it sweeter, either add in more date caramel or add in vanilla stevia.
I enjoyed my whipped cream plain with just the drizzle on top, but if you’d like a sweeter whipped cream, feel free to add stevia of sweetener of your choice.
This can totally be made dairy free – like I stated above, I think cashew milk would work best because it’s the creamiest and the most neutral, but I think full fat coconut would be crazy good as well!
So tell me – what’s your favorite frappuccino? Are you as obsessed with them as I am? Sugar free friends – what do you miss the most? Let me know in the comments!
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Gretchen | Gretchruns says
This is brilliant! And looks delicious. Great recipe girl!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This looks wonderful, thanks!
Jeanette says
I must try to make my own frappuccino some day. Yum 🙂
Shannan Panganiban says
This looks so good! Um yes please!!!
Angela Queen says
That date caramel is such a great idea!!! I am totally sharing this!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Wow–the date caramel is so creative! I would definitely make this with cashew milk and coconut whipped cream. I cant wait to make this….definitely buying dates this weekend 😀
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I love making my own protein frapps, but never thought to go so far as to add date caramel! This could be live-changing!
ANNIE says
Yum!!! Looks like a must try, same with those two ingredient Pina Colada popsicles!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
Yum! I’ve always shied away from doing something like this because I was too scared to try using my blender when all the recipes called for a food processor (which I don’t have). Really glad to see it worked for you. I bet the date caramel would be delicious over banana “ice cream” too!
I bought myself a fancy Starbucks last weekend. Drank half, got to my friends house, she bumped into me & the whole rest got spilled on the floor. And I’m still upset about it.
Lauren @My Plot of Sunshine says
Whoa! That looks amazing! You got skillz, mama! I think you could have a future as a barista! 😉 Pinning for later!
http://www.myplotofsunshine.com
Lauren says
I have been trying to cut back on sugar so I have to try this! Pinned for later so I wont forget!
Amanda says
This looks so amazing!
Mikki says
Yum! This looks absolutely delicious! I will have to try it this summer.
Morgan says
Please do!! Let me know how you like it!
Emily says
Oh wow, I didn’t see your other post about having to go off of sugar, but I’m really thankful that there are so many other ways to eat sugar like DATES! I would have never thought to put dates in a frappucino. This looks absolutely perfect, better than a Starbucks Frappe.
Morgan says
Yes! I don’t think my body dig even natural sugars that much, but it responds (and recovers from quicker) so much better to natural sugars especially when paired with a protien like milk that I’ll do it! I need my frappuccino fix!!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
PSHHH! Who needs a coffee shop? I’m coming to your place!
This looks SO good!
Morgan says
Hahha come on over!!
sherry says
I am trying to be sugar free and it really is hard for me. I will have to try this. It sounds wonderful!
Morgan says
It’s no joke!! Oh man, that first week was the worst – I had the full on withdrawal symptoms with headaches and everything. It’s easier now, but I sure miss my favorite sugar-y treats sometimes.
Sharon says
I could have that every day! It looks so delicious!
Emily says
This looks so tasty and refreshing! Pinning for later. 🙂
Donna @ Soul Survival says
What a great, healthy alternative!
Leslie says
This looks so good! I’ve attempted to make my own versions with sugar free syrups and stevia, but I love the idea of using dates to get extra fiber and vitamins!
Morgan says
When I made it with stevia, I enjoyed it but I’m not a huge fan of sweeteners like that. The dates also helped thicken it, which is great!
heather @Fitncookies says
I don’t like coffee but this just looks like the perfect substitute for the overpriced sugary nonsense! Now if I could just replicate my favorite Cinnamon Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks…
Morgan says
Hahha I’m not help there! I’m alllll about the coffee 😉
Jennifer Dodrill @ All-In-One-Mom says
Sounds great! Pinned!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
What a great idea! Sounds so yummy. Wish i wasn’t too lazy to make the caramel 🙁
Morgan says
It wasn’t that bad! I actually it, poured it into a container and tossed it into the freezer to cool then made the whole thing in the dirty blender. AKA the lazy way 😉
Michelle says
I wish I liked these drinks, but sadly, I don’t. They always look delicious and tempting, but then when I’ve ordered them, I wish I hadn’t. This is a great recipe for those that can’t do or won’t do sugar.
Morgan says
You’re lucky, trust me! It’s not a cheap addiction, ha!
Grace says
Yum, yum, yum! I’ve been making a lot of homemade frappuccinos lately. They’re so much cheaper and healthier! I haven’t tried it with date caramel though. That sounds delicious!
Morgan says
I also really lke knowing exactly what’s going into it, rather than a super vague “coffee base” ha!
Janet Vinyard says
Using dates as a sweetener sounds like a good idea! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Blessings, Janet
rachel @ athletic avocado says
mmmm love that you used date caramel! delish!
Mimi says
Sounds awesomely delish!
Deanna says
I’ve been sugar free for over a year now. What a unique twist to add the dates for sweetener! I can’t wait to try it. thanks!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
OMG! I love dates and I love frappuccino! This has my name written all over it! Pinned, Stumbled, Tweeted, that way I cannot misplace this recipe!!! You are the bomb! Perfect drink for a hot day, and we’re having those right now!
Danita says
Great recipe and perfect for summer! Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictories!
Charlene Maugeri says
Whoa! Sweetened by dates? I’ve never even heard of that! I’ll have to try it!
Christine at Must Love Home says
Loved your frosty sugar-free treat!! It looks so refreshing!! You have been Pinned, Tweeted and Posted to facebook! Congratulations -Your post will be featured this week at the Friday Favorites Link Party. The party goes LIVE on Thursdays at 7PM at mustlovehome.com I hope to see your there! Hugs – Christine at Must Love Home
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Congratulations your great post has been featured in this weeks Friday Favorites linky party!!
Check it out at: http://homemadeandyummy.com/friday-favorties-week-322-frozen-delights/
Please share with you social media…and thanks for linking up.
Ericka Thompson-Smith says
I love healthy versions of not so healthy but FAVORITE things!! Thank you!!
Jody Cowan says
This frappuccino sounds so good! I can’t wait to make it! I’m glad I found you on Share the Wealth Linky!