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I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but a young friend introduced me to a McDonald’s frozen blend – their Caramel Frappe.  I loved the taste, but a little investigation into the nutrition and ingredients left me colder than my ice headache!  With summer approaching, I knew I had to come up with a reasonable substitute:  My Frozen Fake Frappe.

Frozen Fake Frappe – Dressed Up

 

My Frozen Fake Frappe still packs of calories and fat – but considerably less than McDonalds (less than half) or any of the other chains out there.  And sorry, no drive through convenience!

I did a bunch of experimenting: blenders, different sweeteners, ice cream makers, etc. and this is what I’ve customized to my taste.  I think you’ll like it, but feel free to customize this to your very own tastes – see Put your Own Spin on It, below for some ideas.

The only way I could find to get the richness and body I wanted was to use Condensed Milk – so I made my own.  Feel free to use the canned, though.  You will need to plan ahead for the frozen coffee ice cubes.

 

Fake Frappe Nude

 

Frozen Fake Frappe, makes about 24 ounces, about 3 cups, cost 44 cents.

  • 1 cup strong coffee, frozen into cubes
  • 1/2 cup of Condensed Milk
  • 3/4 cup 2% Milk

Place all ingredients into a blender and whiz away.  Serve right away – remember, there are no strange ingredients or stabilizers in this.  Serving in a frosted glass would be ideal on a hot, summer day.

Money and Time Saving Strategies:

For pricing, remember to use your coupon matching sites for your local stores. My favorite is Pocket Your Dollars in my area, but every store has a group of enthusiastic couponers who can point you to the best bargains. Don’t be discouraged if your prices are higher at first – just keep shopping the best sales and follow the strategies and you’ll get there! Check under Saving on Basic Ingredients for more detailed information and storage hints – use <control f> to search each page to bring you to the item you want to check out.

I priced out for plain – so keep in mind your toppings are going to be an additional cost – mainly if you use whipping cream – that little drizzle of chocolate or caramel or what have you is minimal.

  • Coffee:  It pays to pay attention to when you buy coffee – look for sales and coupons around Holidays.  Cheapest in December and January, you’ll find good sales prior to almost any holiday that beat the regular sales price.  As long as it’s vacuumed packed, it will keep for a good long time.  I’m not much of a coffee drinker, so I can’t really comment on the higher end brands and grinding of beans, etc.  I figure a cup is about 12 cents.
  • I throw any leftover coffee into an ice cube tray and then bag up in my freezer – it looks DISGUSTING frozen, but don’t be turned off – it works perfectly in drinks like this.  They never come out easily – I run a little hot water on the bottom and then put the whole tray into a bag and twist.  It melts easily and if they skitter around your kitchen you’ll be wiping up.  One cup should fill a standard ice cube tray.
  • Condensed Milk:  Another stock up during the winter holidays months!  Look for coupons and sales, and you can buy it for about $1.00 a can.  You can also make Home Made Condensed Milk if and when you have time on your hands or buy it at an Asian or Latino market – you’ll pay half the price of condensed milk at your regular old grocery store.  A can hold 1 1/4 cups (keep refrigerated, covered – it will thicken but still be good for several weeks.)  1/4 cup is about 20 cents on a good sale, and only about 40 cents full priced.
  • Milk:  Milk does go on sale now and then and sometimes there will be coupons for a local brand.   I look for a price of $2.50 per gallon in Minnesota – and when it hits a low, I’ll buy it early in the week and then stop in on Saturday and pick up some for the next week.  The date on the package is a “sell by” date – your milk should be good for about a week after if kept cold and refrigerated.  (After it’s open, you can only count on a few days.)  3/4 cup is about 12 cents.

Nutrition:  1/2 recipe, about 1 1/2 cups or 12 ounces (This is for the “Nude” version – yours will vary depending on toppings.

Cal 250; tot fat 8g; sat fat 5g; chol 33mg; sod 132mg; carb 46g; sug 46g; prot 9g

Put your Own Spin on It:

  • Toppings – don’t limit yourself to whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel or chocolate, although you can’t go wrong there – try some shaved chocolate, crushed candies, dulce de leche or your favorite flavor.
  • Flavors – why not make these any flavor you want?  Mocha, would be the addition of chocolate, but think about other flavors, different syrups, your favorite extracts, or make an adult version – with a liquor.  Hazelnut with Frangelico comes to mind.

Frozen Fake Frappe made May 2012