Craving a café-quality treat that tastes like the holidays but takes less time to make than waiting in the drive-thru? This Gingerbread Frappe is your answer! It’s the perfect blend of spicy-sweet gingerbread flavors in an ice-cold, velvety frappe—made right at home in about five minutes. Whether you’re dashing out the door on a busy morning or just need a sweet pick-me-up on a hectic day, this recipe never disappoints. Get ready to fall in love with how easy and fast it is to whip up this festive favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Simplicity: Everything comes together in a blender. Seriously—no fancy equipment, no complicated steps.
- Cozy Holiday Flavors, All Year: Molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger…each sip is like a cozy sweater for your tastebuds.
- Customizable: Perfect for playing around—make it dairy-free, add toppings, or adjust the sweetness to your preference.
- Perfect Texture: Thanks to loads of ice, this frappe comes out cool and creamy, just like your favorite coffee shop’s, but with even more personality!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s take a quick look at what gives this drink its signature charm. Measurements aren’t needed here—just the essentials and their purpose:
- Milk: For creaminess; use your favorite dairy or plant-based milk.
- Cold Brewed Coffee: Brings in the frappe’s refreshing, café-style base and just the right kick of caffeine.
- Molasses: The classic gingerbread flavor, adding depth and natural sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: Enhances the sweetness and lends a caramel-like note.
- Ground Cinnamon: Key for that unmistakable warm spice.
- Ground Ginger: Delivers the zingy, peppery edge critical for gingerbread goodness.
- Vanilla Extract: For extra aroma and bakery-style flavor.
- Ice Cubes: The must-have for that signature frozen, slushie-like texture.
- Whipped Cream (Optional): Optional, but highly recommended—for a creamy, indulgent finish.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
There’s so much room to make this your own!
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Go with oat, almond, or soy milk. Swap whipped cream for coconut or almond whip.
- Extra Indulgent: Blend in a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even richer treat.
- Espresso Kick: Double the strength using cold espresso shots instead of brewed coffee.
- Chocolate Twist: Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup or cocoa powder for a mocha-gingerbread fusion.
- Lighter Version: Use less brown sugar or a sugar substitute for a lighter drink that keeps all the flavor.
How to Make Gingerbread Frappe
The magic here is just how effortlessly this homemade treat comes together. You’re only a few minutes from pure gingerbread bliss!
Step 1: Brew and Chill the Coffee
Prepare your coffee ahead and let it come to room temperature or chill it in the fridge if you’re in a hurry.
Step 2: Blend Wet Ingredients and Spices
Add milk, cooled coffee, molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla extract to your blender. Blend for just a few seconds on low, until everything is silky smooth and combined.
Step 3: Blend with Ice
Add a generous heap of ice cubes to the blender. (Don’t skimp—ice is what gives a frappe its creamy, frosty texture!) Blend again until the mixture is smooth, thick, and slightly slushy.
Step 4: Pour and Top
Pour your gorgeous, frothy Gingerbread Frappe into glasses. If you want to go full cafe-style, pile on whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, or even a little extra drizzle of molasses.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Chill Everything: Cold coffee and chilled milk make for the best texture and prevent the ice from melting too quickly.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Start with less sugar, taste, and add more if you like a sweeter drink.
- Powerful Blender = Smoother Frappe: If your blender isn’t high-powered, crush the ice a bit beforehand for better results.
- Don’t Over-blend: Just blend enough to get a creamy consistency—over-blending can melt the ice too much.
How to Serve
This frappe is a treat in itself, and it’s incredibly versatile for serving:
- Garnish: Top with whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, or a sprinkle of nutmeg.
- Pairings: Perfect with a cinnamon roll, a slice of banana bread, or even holiday cookies. It honestly makes weekday breakfast feel extra special.
- Take On-the-Go: Pour into a travel tumbler with a straw for a festive sip on your commute.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow don’t finish your frappe (which is rare!), pour the leftovers into a jar and keep in the fridge for up to a day. The texture may become less icy, but it’ll still be deliciously cold and flavorful.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze in an ice cube tray, then re-blend the gingerbread coffee ice cubes with a splash of milk whenever you want a quick frappe.
Reheating
This drink is meant to be enjoyed ice-cold, so skip reheating. If it melts, just add a few more ice cubes and blend again for that frosty magic.
FAQs
-
Can I make this caffeine-free?
Absolutely! Simply use decaf coffee or even a robust decaf espresso. All the cozy flavor, none of the buzz.
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How can I make it thicker or thinner?
For a thicker, more spoonable texture, add extra ice or even a scoop of ice cream. If it gets too thick, just pour in a bit more milk and blend again.
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Can I use instant coffee?
Yes—dissolve instant coffee in hot water, let it chill, and use as you would regular cold coffee. Super handy for those spontaneous cravings!
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What if I don’t have molasses?
While molasses gives classic depth, dark honey, maple syrup, or even extra brown sugar can fill in. The flavor will change a bit, but you’ll still get a delightful gingerbread effect.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite as comforting and festive as a homemade Gingerbread Frappe. With its blend of sweet, spiced, and creamy flavors—all ready in a flash—it’s a treat that makes any day feel special. It’s impressively simple, totally customizable, and honestly, once you try it, you might never go back to coffee shop versions again. Brew some coffee, grab a blender, and treat yourself to this frosty delight today!
PrintGingerbread Frappe Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 large frappes 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Gingerbread Frappe is a delightfully spiced and refreshingly cool coffee drink that combines the warmth of gingerbread flavors with the chill of blended ice. Featuring rich cold coffee, creamy milk, molasses, and classic gingerbread spices, this festive frappe is a delicious treat for any time you crave a holiday-inspired beverage.
Ingredients
Dairy & Liquids
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup cold coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sweeteners
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 3 to 4 tablespoons brown sugar
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Other
- 4 cups ice
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Brew & Cool the Coffee
Brew a cup of your favorite coffee and allow it to cool to room temperature. This prevents the ice from melting too quickly and ensures a smooth, icy texture in the frappe. - Blend Base Ingredients
In a high-powered blender, combine the milk, cooled coffee, molasses, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and vanilla extract. Blend on low speed for just a few seconds until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. - Add Ice & Blend Smooth
Add the ice cubes to the blender. Blend on high until the mixture is thick, frothy, and all the ice is fully crushed, resulting in a smooth frappe consistency. - Serve
Pour the gingerbread frappe into glasses and serve immediately. If desired, top with whipped cream for added decadence and a festive touch.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar to your taste.
- Use non-dairy milk for a vegan option.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or gingerbread cookie crumbs for extra flavor.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, use espresso or double the coffee amount.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large frappe
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 69 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg