If you’ve ever dreamed of sipping on pure summer bliss, the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe will absolutely make your wish come true. Imagine the iconic flavors of fluffy shortcake layered with velvety whipped cream and sweet, fresh strawberries—all swirled into a frosty, creamy drink that rivals your favorite coffee shop treat. With a few essential ingredients and a trusty blender, you can easily create this luscious, strawberry-studded drink at home. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to master the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe right in your own kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating this Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe only takes a handful of straightforward, but carefully chosen, ingredients. Each one plays a pivotal role—bringing vibrant color, creamy texture, and the signature sweet-tart shortcake flavor to your cup.
- Ice: Big or small cubes, ice is the chilling backbone of the drink, giving it that irresistible, frozen frappuccino consistency.
- Milk or Half & Half: The creamy base that ties everything together; use your favorite dairy or non-dairy option for richness.
- Strawberry Syrup or Sauce: This supplies the iconic berry flavor and gorgeous pink hue—homemade or store-bought both work.
- Hazelnut Syrup: Adds a subtle, nutty undertone for that authentic shortcake flavor.
- Vanilla Syrup: Rounds out the drink with smooth, bakery-like sweetness.
- Simple Syrup: Just a touch brings everything together and balances the tart berries.
- Xanthan Gum (optional): A pinch helps create that silky, coffee-shop texture (skip it if you don’t have it).
- Fresh Strawberries (optional): For extra bursts of freshness and color—delicious blended in or layered on top.
- Whipped Topping: A generous swirl amplifies the shortcake feel and makes each sip extra decadent.
- Strawberry Sauce or Macerated Strawberries: Dramatically drizzle over the top for flavor and a gorgeous finish.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Gather all your essentials on the counter. Chop a few fresh strawberries if you want those sweet-tart bites folded in or on top. If you’re going caffeine-style, brew some strong coffee now and let it cool—this is your secret-weapon twist for those who love a little buzz.
Step 2: Build Your Base
In your blender, start with about two cups of ice. Pour in 3/4 cup of your milk or cream of choice. Add three tablespoons of strawberry syrup or sauce, one to two tablespoons of hazelnut syrup (depending on how nutty you like it), and a tablespoon of vanilla syrup. Top off with one tablespoon of simple syrup and a pinch of xanthan gum, if using. Toss in a handful of strawberries if you want extra fruitiness.
Step 3: Blend Until Dreamy
Seal up that blender and blend everything on high for about 30 seconds, or until everything becomes a smooth, slushy, creamy treat. If it’s too thick, splash in a bit more milk. Too thin? Pop in some extra ice cubes and blend again.
Step 4: Add Caffeinated Kick (Optional)
If you’re after the coffee-shop experience, swap out 1/4 cup of the milk for chilled, strong coffee and blend it in with the rest of your ingredients. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up without overwhelming the beautiful berry flavors.
Step 5: Decorate and Serve
Pour your homemade Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe into a tall glass. Get creative! Spoon over some macerated strawberries, dollop on plenty of whipped cream, and finish with a dramatic drizzle of strawberry sauce. Add a few fresh strawberry slices for a final flourish—sip and enjoy the summery goodness!
How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe

Garnishes
Pile on the whipped cream and drizzle extra strawberry sauce liberally across the top—don’t be shy! For an Instagram-worthy finish, sprinkle fresh diced strawberries or even crunchy shortbread cookie crumbs. These little touches make each sip taste like dessert in a glass.
Side Dishes
Pair your Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe with simple breakfast pastries like a buttery croissant or a slice of pound cake. For a truly decadent treat, serve alongside a mini bowl of whipped cream with extra berries for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve frappe-style drinks in mason jars for that cozy home-café vibe, or use tall glass mugs so every beautiful pink swirl is visible. Add colorful striped straws, cute cocktail umbrellas, or a sparkler for a festive party twist. For small gatherings, consider assembling a “frappuccino bar” with toppings so everyone can customize their creation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers (it’s rare!), pour your Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe into an airtight jar and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a good shake before serving, as separation is natural.
Freezing
Pop any extra frappuccino into ice cube trays and freeze. Whenever you need a quick fix, just blend the cubes with a splash of milk for an instant, fresh-tasting frappe. This trick works wonders for busy mornings or unexpected guests!
Reheating
This recipe is all about icy refreshment, so reheating isn’t necessary. If your blended drink has melted a bit, simply add an extra handful of ice and buzz it all together again in the blender for that frosty texture.
FAQs
Can I make the Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use your favorite plant-based milk (like almond, oat, or coconut) and a non-dairy whipped topping. The result is just as delicious and creamy.
Is there a way to reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can use sugar-free versions of the syrups, or swap in a natural sweetener for the simple syrup. Adjust the amount to taste and enjoy a lighter, but still scrumptious, treat.
What if I don’t have hazelnut syrup?
No problem! The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe is flexible—use almond syrup for a different nutty twist, or just add extra vanilla for pure shortcake goodness.
How can I make macerated strawberries?
Simply slice fresh strawberries, sprinkle them with a teaspoon of sugar, and let them sit for about 15 minutes. They’ll become juicy and sweet, making the perfect topping for your frappuccino.
Can I double or triple the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! Just multiply all ingredients by the number of servings you need, blend in batches if necessary, and let everyone garnish their own Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe with a variety of toppings.
Final Thoughts
Bring the tastes of summer home and treat yourself (and your friends) by whipping up your own Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe. Each sip delivers that classic flavor combo of strawberries and cream blended into a chilly, crave-worthy treat. Don’t be surprised if this homemade version becomes your new favorite pick-me-up—happy blending!
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Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving (16 oz, Grande size)
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino is a delicious Starbucks-inspired blended beverage featuring the flavors of strawberries, vanilla, and hazelnut. Creamy and refreshing, this copycat recipe uses both syrups and optional fresh strawberries, topped with whipped cream and strawberry sauce for a real summer treat. Perfectly sweet and customizable, you can even add coffee for a caffeinated twist!
Ingredients
Base
- 2 cups ice
- 3/4 cup milk, half & half, or whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons (or pumps) strawberry syrup or strawberry sauce
- 1–2 tablespoons (or pumps) hazelnut syrup (use 1 for mild flavor, up to 2 for stronger flavor)
- 1 tablespoon (or pump) vanilla syrup
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- Pinch xanthan gum (optional, for smoother texture)
- Fresh strawberries, optional (for extra strawberry flavor)
Caffeinated Version
- Replace 1/4 cup of the milk with strong coffee
Toppings
- Whipped topping or whipped cream
- Strawberry sauce
- Macerated strawberries
- Chopped fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients – Measure out all of your ingredients, including milk (or cream), syrups, and ice. If using fresh or macerated strawberries, wash and chop them as needed. Set aside toppings such as whipped cream and strawberry sauce for finishing touches.
- Combine in Blender – Add ice, milk (or cream), strawberry syrup, hazelnut syrup, vanilla syrup, simple syrup, and pinch of xanthan gum (if using) into a blender. For a more intense strawberry taste, add a few fresh strawberries as well.
- Blend – Blend the mixture on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Make sure all the ice has broken down for the best texture. Scrape down the sides if necessary and blend again briefly.
- Assemble and Top – Pour the blended frappuccino into a large (16 oz) glass. Top generously with whipped cream or nondairy whipped topping, and then drizzle strawberry sauce over the top. Add chopped or macerated strawberries for extra texture and flavor.
- Serve – Add a straw and serve immediately while frosty and cold. Enjoy your homemade Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino!
Notes
- The frappuccino can be made dairy-free by using your favorite dairy-free milk and non-dairy whipped cream.
- Customize sweetness and flavor intensity by adjusting syrup quantities to your taste.
- Macerated strawberries are strawberries mixed with a bit of sugar until juicy; they give a fresher, fruitier taste to your frappuccino.
- Adding xanthan gum helps create a smoother texture typical of Starbucks’ frappuccinos, but is optional.
- For a thicker drink, reduce the amount of milk or add more ice; for thinner, increase milk or blend longer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 (16 oz) frappuccino
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 41g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg