Oh, McDonald's Caramel Frappé — how I used to love you. Until I found out that a medium has nearly SIX HUNDRED calories per serving. Yikes. Apparently the Golden Arches is taking (or giving?) nutrition lessons from Starbucks. I should've known. Actually, I strongly suspected. But I was taking a boat trip down The Nile. ;-)
Off to the grocery store and home with instant coffee, low-cal non-fat spray whipped "cream," and into the fridge and/or pantry for 1% milk, Splenda, caramel syrup, and ice.
A trip through the food processor (because just after I poured everything into the blender, I found out it was broken - SOB!) and voila! Low-cal, low-fat Frappés!
Pardon the crappy/frappé (hee hee) very yellow phone cam pic. But YUM! It tastes nearly identical to me and saves a trip to the drive-thru, not to mention about 450 calories.
Approximate measures because I do this stuff by "feel."
1 cup 1% milk
2 tsp instant coffee
1 tsp caramel syrup
2-3 packets Splenda (depending on desired sweetness)
ice, lots
spray whipped topping (or real cream if desired)
2 tsp caramel syrup (separate from first listing above)
Put first 4 ingredients into blender and fill remaining space with ice. Grind away until smooth consistency, adding more ice if necessary. Pour into glass leaving about 1/2" of space to the rim. Spray in whipped topping. Drizzle caramel over top. Yields 3-4 servings.
Now I need a new blender to more finely crush the ice and I'll be set for the summer.
If you are near a mcD and thirsty, try just the iced coffee with hazelnut, it is very refreshing and cheaper.
ReplyDeleteThat looks totally delicious.
ReplyDeleteTalk about indulgent! Thanks for making me one but it's far too rich for me. Why don't you have mine as well? They're expensive given your blender broke, so you can't let it go to waste. :)
ReplyDeleteYour post has made me realize that it is time to start cold-brewing again! I first read about this technique in the New York Times("Iced Coffee? No Sweat" written by Cindy Price 06/27/2007).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/dining/27coff.html?_r=1
It is so easy to do and the result is complex and wonderful. Plus, you can skip the blender. Yeah! I keep the finished concentrate in the fridge. I mix some of it in a large glass with ice, 2% milk and Splenda. Try it.
Did you know that Starbuck's frappicinos can now be made with nonfat milk and sugar free flavors? And, of course, no whipped cream. Still quite expensive though. Though they are half price from 3-5 pm through the 16th of May. However, I don't work for Starbucks, and I don't know if this is everywhere--I'm in the Seattle area. But the homemade one sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteUgh! Personaly I don't know how you can drink that stuff! I like my coffee strong and NO sugar or syrup.
ReplyDeleteBTW, blog looks great!
I am a long time Weight Watcher and one meeting our leader had a list of points for chain food items. Outback is really horrendous on the calorie count. An appetizer portion of their wings is 46 points or approximately 2300 calories and you haven't even gotten to the meal yet! That's more than two days worth of points for me. Hungry Girl is always doing the low calorie options like yours for the very caloric but enticing.
ReplyDeleteI use my espresso machine more in the summer for iced coffee than I do for hot and you don't get watery iced coffee.
I prefer my joe super hot and black! Cold coffee is kinda grody to me. Can you believe that though? 600 calories!?! Good job on the slim-down version!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought on reading that those Frappes were 650 calories was that they wonder why Americans are overweight?
ReplyDeleteGlad you found a way to make your own1
EXCELLENT! I just made up a coffee flavored cake that you can put frosting on to taste like your favorite Starbucks blend, and claim to be on a diet! I need to try this.
ReplyDeleteIf you are brewing coffee and want that mocha flavor, try putting some powdered cocoa in with the coffee grounds. It's an almost calorie free way to get that chocolate flavor.
ReplyDeleteWell the McD could only be problematic if you indulge in your love too often. Substitute looks yum too.
ReplyDeleteNow Debbie, what can you do for me? I'm addicted to Starbucks hot chocolate (which is stupid because it's summer and there's the hot flashes...). I get it with non-fat milk and no whip, but still...Curse you chocolate! I must have chocolate endorphins!
ReplyDeleteooh, yummy. I love these too, so much! Must try your version.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the new blog layout! Your header graphic is SO cute too. :)
Yum, yum. I can see a lot of these in my home over the summer. Thanks for the recipe. I tried one today with chocolate syrup and it was great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving that recipe for a better frappe... I think I can make it for less than 100 calories- www.waldenfarms.com has great tasting stuff that is virtually calorie free and not deadly!
ReplyDeleteGetcha a Vitamix for the yummiest smoothies. Your recipe is one like I have but thanks to you I'll be adding caramel now!
ReplyDeleteStarbucks has an iced frapp version I tried yesterday, as I don't frequent Starbucks. It comes in at 150 calories I believe. Though I will admit it wasn't as flavorful as the full throttle drinks from SB or MCD, it was still a cold treat and far less guilty.
ReplyDelete