Icy and Refreshing Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

If you love a good vanilla bean frappuccino, be sure to save this with your copycat coffee recipes. This easy vanilla frappuccino recipe allows you to skip the drive-thru and enjoy the creamy drink whenever the urge strikes.

Since this is a frappuccino without coffee, we can also call it a vanilla bean milkshake recipe. When you’re craving a refreshing blended drink without the caffeine kick, a vanilla frappé is an excellent choice.

Easy Vanilla Bean Frappuccino Copycat Recipe

As a lover of the Starbucks Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, it was necessary to create a recipe I can easily make from home. When I’m out and about running errands, I happily support my local Starbucks. However, more often than not, I am home and don’t want to make a special trip for my indulgent drink habit.

Let’s be honest here – this is what many of us would call a milkshake. But doesn’t a vanilla cream frappuccino somehow sound better? Fancier maybe? Less like a dessert? Call it what you want, but it’s a delicious treat to enjoy any time of the day. The ice thins out the texture a bit so it’s not as thick as a traditional shake.

Vanilla Bean Frappuccino Ingredients

(Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below)

• Real vanilla beans
• Ice
• Milk
• Vanilla bean ice cream
• Whipped topping

Vanilla Frappuccino Directions

Add ice, milk, and ice cream to a blender.

Gently cut the vanilla bean along the long edge lengthwise.

Using the back side of the knife (not the sharp end), scrape the beans out of the vanilla bean pod and place them into the blender.

Blend until smooth.

Pour the blended vanilla frappuccino into a glass and top with whipped cream.

Recipes Notes and FAQ

Do I have to use vanilla beans?

Vanilla beans are expensive and completely optional in this recipe. You can leave them out or use 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.

Is this drink super sweet?

This recipe is not overly sweet. The ice helps tone down the sweetness and makes the texture more like a frappuccino and less like a milkshake.

Can I add mix-ins?

Since this is a DIY blended drink, you can play around with add-ins. The vanilla bean gives you a great base to add other flavors if you choose.

Tasty additions include chocolate chips, espresso chips, cinnamon chips, strawberries, matcha powder, a dash of coffee, or whatever you like!

Does a vanilla bean frappuccino have caffeine?

No. A vanilla bean frappuccino is ice cream-based rather than coffee-based. There is no coffee or caffeine in this drink. 

What’s the difference between a frappe and a frappuccino?

Frappes and frappuccinos are the same thing. The only difference is that Starbucks trademarked frappuccino. 

What’s the difference between a frappuccino and a milkshake?

The difference is the ice cream. Technically, milkshakes don’t have ice cream in them. What many of us call milkshakes are actually frappes or frappuccinos (which are the same thing).

Why is my frappuccino watery?

If the frappuccino isn’t blended long enough, it will have a watery consistency. Blending both combines the ingredients and introduces air to create a thicker, creamier texture.

Frappuccino recipes to make

• Green tea frappuccino
• Caramel frappuccino
• Mocha frappuccino
• Java chip frappuccino
• Birthday cake frappuccino

Please subscribe to the blog for more recipes like this one.

Tag me in your vanilla bean frappuccino pictures if you make this recipe!