I made you guys a freaking frappé!

And not just any frappé, but a salted caramel mocha frappé!

I think it’s been a year since a friend of mine requested I make a salted caramel flavored coffee drink.  And I totally didn’t ignore her, but I had some major issues.  First off, I couldn’t seem to get a salted caramel simple syrup down.  It either tasted super burnt, or it didn’t taste like anything at all.  And I wanted a rich, delicious, caramel-y flavor.  I eventually got it after about 5-6 tries.  And using up all the sugar I had in the house.

And then ants happened.

Yup.  I went to go make my daily iced coffee and grabbed the syrup and there I stood witness to about 50 ants that had committed suicide.  In my freaking syrup.

Needless to say, that put me off the whole salted caramel coffee thang.

And then I moved.  And then life happened and I moved again.  And now.  Now I’m finally giving you what you all deserve.  And let me tell you, this stuff is so good! THIS is my new daily drink.  Especially because it has loads less sugar than anything you’d find at a coffee shop.  And I’ve added extra protein, because, why not? And it takes less time to make than it does to cook my eggs.

It’s like a win-win-win situation.

Salted Caramel Mocha Frappé

serves 1

• 1/2 small banana
• 2-4 tbsp. scoops of protein powder*
• 1 tbsp. instant coffee granules
• 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c unsweetened cashew milk
• 1/2 tsp. caramel extract
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 1 c ice
• optional toppings: whipped cream, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup (you can find my favorite chocolate syrup to have on hand here)

In a blender, combine all of your ingredients and blend until combined.  I typically use 2 tbsp. of protein powder if I haven’t worked out that morning, or if I’m making this as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, and then 4 tbsp. if I’ve worked out.

*I generally use Designer Whey’s protein powder in the vanilla flavor, but I’ve ran out.  So, I’ve started using Nature’s Best Isopure Zero Carb in creamy vanilla.   This protein powder has 105 calories per scoop and 25g of protein – not bad, not bad.  I’m pretty sure you can use whatever whey protein you have on hand though, but unfortunately, I can’t attest to this working with a non-whey powder.

And now I’m totally feeling one of those s’mores frappés!  Totally.