If youโre craving a dessert in a glass, look no further than the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino. This luscious drink blends ripe strawberries, velvety vanilla, and a hint of buttery biscuit flavor into a cold, creamy treat thatโs pure delight with every sip. Each layer is reminiscent of classic strawberry shortcake, but with an irresistibly refreshing twist thatโs as pretty as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is just how simple its ingredients are. Each one is chosen deliberately for ultimate creaminess, vibrant color, and that iconic taste you know and love.
- Fresh Strawberries: These bring gorgeous color and bright, juicy flavor that absolutely makes the drink.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Gives the frappuccino a rich, smooth base and sweet, cake-like creaminess.
- Cold Milk: Ensures your drink is refreshing and blends beautifully with the ice cream.
- Shortbread Cookies: For that buttery, crumbly โshortcakeโ vibe in every sip.
- Ice: Keeps everything perfectly frosty and thick.
- Whipped Cream: Adds a cloud of finishing sweetness and a gorgeous cafรฉ-style look.
- Strawberry Syrup: Intensifies the berry flavor and creates a pretty swirl throughout.
- Vanilla Extract (optional): Adds deeper vanilla flavor and ups the shortcake essence.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Wash and hull your fresh strawberries, then halve them for easy blending. Crush a few shortbread cookies into rough crumbs. If your ice cream is rock hard, let it soften for a couple minutes at room temperature so your blender doesnโt struggle.
Step 2: Create the Strawberry Puree
In your blender, combine the strawberries and a spoonful of strawberry syrup. Pulse until you have a chunky puree with a few berry pieces left for texture. Set aside a spoonful or two if youโd like to create a swirl for topping later!
Step 3: Blend the Frappuccino Base
Now add the vanilla ice cream, milk, shortbread cookie crumbs, ice, and vanilla extract to the blender, followed by the remaining strawberry puree. Blend everything on high until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once or twice to be sure all the cookie bits are incorporated.
Step 4: Donโt Forget the Cookie Crumble
Toss in a final handful of shortbread crumbs and pulse just a few times, so you get the occasional buttery chunk in each sip. This brings authentic shortcake texture to your Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Pour your frappuccino into tall glasses, pile on the whipped cream, and drizzle with the reserved strawberry puree. Finish with extra cookie crumbs or a whole strawberry perched on top. Instant strawberry shortcake magic!
How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino
Garnishes
A cloud of whipped cream is just the beginning! Sprinkle a generous pinch of extra cookie crumbs or lay a sliced strawberry across the whipped cream for a burst of color. A drizzle of strawberry syrup instantly makes your frappuccino look cafรฉ-quality and is totally irresistible.
Side Dishes
For a true summer celebration, pair your Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino with a light spinach salad or buttery scones. If youโre in the mood for something a little cheeky, chocolate-dipped strawberries or a slice of lemon loaf make the sweetest companions for this drink.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your frappuccino in a mason jar with a colorful paper straw for picnic vibes, or line the inside of your glass with sliced strawberries before pouring in the drink for a show-stopping visual twist. For parties, mini frappuccinos in small glasses topped with tiny shortbread cookies make for adorable, Instagram-ready treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is best enjoyed fresh, you can pop any leftovers in the fridge for a few hours, though it may separate slightly. Give it a vigorous stir before serving to bring back some of its creamy consistency.
Freezing
Pour leftover frappuccino into a popsicle mold for an incredibly fun frozen treat. If you freeze it in its liquid state, let it thaw slightly and blend again with a splash of milk before drinking to restore its thick, frosty texture.
Reheating
This is one treat best served ice-cold, so reheating isnโt recommended. If your drink has melted too much, simply re-blend it with a little ice for a quick refresh!
FAQs
Can I make the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino dairy-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the milk and vanilla ice cream with your favorite plant-based alternatives and use vegan whipped topping. The flavor is just as dreamy and the drink stays creamy and decadent.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen strawberries work perfectly and actually help make the frappuccino even frostier. Just thaw them enough for easy blending, or add a little extra milk if your blender needs the help.
What if I donโt have shortbread cookies?
No worries! Vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or even a bit of plain pound cake crumbled in will create a similar โshortcakeโ experience. Just aim for a mildly sweet, buttery cookie.
How sweet is the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino?
Itโs naturally sweet from the strawberries, ice cream, and cookies, but you can easily dial it up or down. Taste before serving; a splash more strawberry syrup or a touch less ice cream lets you adjust the sweetness to your perfect level.
Can I make this without a blender?
While a blender is best for that iconic frappuccino texture, you could use a food processor in a pinch, or even mash the ingredients by hand for a more rustic, chunky treat. The flavors will still shine.
Final Thoughts
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is a whimsical blend of childhood nostalgia and grown-up indulgence, all swirled into one fabulous drink. Itโs as fun to make as it is to sip, and I canโt wait for you to try it and experience this dessert-like treat for yourself!
PrintStrawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 large drink (about 16 oz) 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the sweet, creamy bliss of a homemade Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino, inspired by your favorite coffee shop treat. This icy blended beverage combines fresh strawberries, vanilla syrup, milk, and whipped cream for a delicious and refreshing dessert drink perfect for summer or anytime you need a little pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Strawberry Base
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Frappuccino
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup vanilla syrup
- 1/3 cup prepared strawberry base
Toppings
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Crumble shortbread cookies (about 2), optional
- Additional strawberries, sliced, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberry Base: In a small bowl, mash the chopped strawberries with the granulated sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until the strawberries become syrupy and juicy.
- Blend the Frappuccino: In a blender, combine the ice cubes, milk, heavy cream, vanilla syrup, and 1/3 cup of the strawberry base. Blend on high speed until smooth, thick, and frosty.
- Assemble the Drink: Pour the blended mixture into a tall glass. If desired, add a spoonful of the remaining strawberry base to the bottom or top for extra flavor and swirls.
- Add Toppings: Top the Frappuccino generously with whipped cream. Garnish with crumbled shortbread cookies and sliced strawberries if using.
- Serve and Enjoy: Insert a straw, serve immediately, and enjoy your homemade Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino!
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk and coconut whipped cream.
- Adjust the amount of vanilla syrup to taste depending on your sweetness preference.
- Frozen strawberries can be used instead of fresh for a frostier texture.
- Shortbread cookie crumbles are optional but add an authentic shortcake vibe!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink (16 oz)
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
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