This homemade Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino has everything I love about this Starbucks fall drink, just without the coffee. Made with real pumpkin, cream, and warm pumpkin pie spice, it’s a bit like pumpkin pie in a glass. Since it’s completely caffeine-free, it’s perfect for an afternoon treat or sharing with the kids.
Looking for the coffee version instead? My Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino is made with cold brew concentrate and has the same rich pumpkin flavor with an extra coffee kick.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to make.
Frappuccinos might seem like something you can only get at Starbucks, but they’re surprisingly simple to make at home.
Just toss everything into a blender, blend until smooth, then finish it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. In about 5 minutes, you’ll have a homemade fall treat that tastes close to the Starbucks original and costs a whole lot less.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino
- No coffee or caffeine. All the cozy pumpkin flavor without the extra caffeine.
- Like pumpkin pie in a glass. Cream, real pumpkin, and warm spices blend into a rich, creamy frozen treat.
- Great for all ages. Since there’s no coffee, it’s a fun fall drink for kids too.
- Easier than it looks. Everything goes into one blender, so there’s very little cleanup.
- Ready in about 5 minutes. Faster than a Starbucks run.
- A homemade treat that saves money. Skip the coffee shop without giving up your favorite fall flavors.
Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino Ingredients
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Pumpkin puree
- Liquid sweetener (agave, vanilla syrup, maple syrup, or pumpkin spice sauce)
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Xanthan gum
- Ice cubes
- Whipped cream
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Heavy Cream & Whole Milk
I like using equal parts heavy cream and whole milk because it makes the frappuccino rich and creamy without feeling too heavy. If you’d rather keep it simple, use ¼ cup half-and-half instead.
Pumpkin Puree
Use 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices that will change the flavor.
Vanilla Syrup
Vanilla syrup gives this frappuccino that classic coffee shop sweetness. If you don’t have any, agave or maple syrup are both great substitutes.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie spice gives this frappuccino its warm fall flavor. Save a little extra for sprinkling over the whipped cream before serving.
Xanthan Gum
Don’t skip the xanthan gum if you can help it. It’s what gives homemade frappuccinos their smooth, creamy texture instead of separating into a watery slush after a minute or two. Starbucks uses an emulsifier in its frappuccino base, and xanthan gum does a great job recreating that texture at home.
Ice Cubes
Regular ice cubes blend into the best texture. Start with about 1 cup and add a little more if you’d like a thicker frappuccino.
Whipped Cream
A generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice are the finishing touches that make this homemade Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino feel just like the one from Starbucks.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
Making this Starbucks copycat couldn’t be easier.
- Add everything to the blender. Add the heavy cream, whole milk, pumpkin puree, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, xanthan gum, and ice to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. Blend on high for about 1 minute, or until the frappuccino is smooth and creamy.
- Let it thicken. Let the frappuccino sit in the blender for about a minute before pouring. This gives it time to thicken slightly.
- Top and serve. Pour into a 16-ounce glass. Finish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Serve immediately.
Tip: A blender that handles ice well will give you the smoothest, creamiest texture.
Recipe Tips
- Use regular ice cubes instead of pebble ice.
- Xanthan gum only needs a tiny amount.
- Let the frappuccino rest for a minute before pouring if you’d like it a little thicker.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
Shortcut: Use Homemade Pumpkin Spice Sauce
If you’ve already made a batch of my wildly popular Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Sauce, you can use it as a shortcut for this frappuccino. Since the sauce already contains pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice, you only need a few additional ingredients.
To make this shortcut version:
- 1 cup Pumpkin Spice Sauce
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1 cup ice
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- Whipped cream, for serving
- Pumpkin pie spice, for garnish
Blend everything except the whipped cream until smooth. Let the frappuccino sit in the blender for about a minute to thicken, then pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino have caffeine?
No. Unlike the coffee-based Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, the Crème version is completely coffee-free and caffeine-free.
Can I make it with coffee?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for the coffee version, try my Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. It’s made with cold brew concentrate and has all the same cozy pumpkin flavor with an extra coffee kick.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Not really. Like all frappuccinos, this one is best enjoyed right after blending. As it sits, the ice melts and the texture changes.
More Starbucks Frappuccino Recipes
- Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
- Chai Frappuccino
- Eggnog Frappuccino
- Strawberry Frappuccino
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Frappuccino
More Pumpkin Drink Recipes
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
- Pumpkin Pie Latte with Pie Crust Topping
- Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
- Hot Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup
- Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Spice Sauce
- Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
- Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam
Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino (Starbucks Copycat)
A homemade Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino made with real pumpkin, warm pumpkin pie spice, and creamy vanilla sweetness. This caffeine-free frozen fall drink blends together in minutes and tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 5 tablespoons whole milk
- 5 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoons vanilla syrup
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for garnish
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Whipped cream, for topping
Instructions
- Add the heavy cream, whole milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla syrup, pumpkin pie spice, xanthan gum, and ice cubes to a blender.
- Blend on high for about 1 minute, or until smooth and creamy.
- Let the frappuccino sit in the blender for about 1 minute to thicken slightly.
- Pour into a 16-ounce glass and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 16 ouncesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 390Total Fat: 21gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 105mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 3gSugar: 40gProtein: 5g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the brands of ingredients used, the type and amount of vanilla syrup, and the amount of whipped cream added.