Copycat: Starbuck's Frappuccino

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this post!

To begin, I am in love with Starbuck's frappuccinos and I spend a lot of my pretty pennies to have one when I go shopping or after a bad day. I needed a more wallet friendly version to satisfy my caffeine fix.

Oh, but today! Playing around in my kitchen this morning, I found (to me) the perfect copycat to my favorite drink. I am sipping my delicious coffee as I write this post and still can't be happier with the results.

Frappuccino                                       Makes 3 cups

1/2 cup fresh extra bold coffee

2 cups lowfat milk (2%, 1% or skim) 1/4 cup granulated sugar or sugar substitute
1 tablespoon dry pectin

For Vanilla
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mocha 
2 tbl chocolate syrup and only 2 tbl granulated sugar

1. Combine all ingredients in a covered container. Shake until

sugar and pectin are dissolved.

2. Pour over ice if desired, top with whipped cream.

Sorry it's not the best picture, I need better glassware

Calories calculated using Sparkrecipes Calculator:

Vanilla Frap: 219 calories per 1.5 cup serving. 

Mocha Frap: 221 calories per 1.5 cup serving

Thank you Cow.

"I doubt whether the world holds for anyone more of a soul-stirring surprise then the first adventure with ice cream.-" Heywood Broun

Yesterday I was strolling through Target when I popped over to the end of the summer saving :) I splurged and bought an ice cream maker (75% off whoo-hoo!). It's nothing like the one I had as a kid. You know the kind. The big wooden tub and the tiny metal one inside, the freezing ice and salt sticking to your legs. You spend what seems like hours cranking and cranking that handle for your delicious summer reward: Ice Cream!

I went the easy route this time, it's automatic and takes approx 25 mins for delicious homemade desserts. But I was thinking...

Of all the ice cream machines out there, the world must really love this chilly treat to have it available year round and make it available to the masses. So I went online and wanted to find the ways we get our ice cream.

Store Bought

Homemade Popsicles (notice the fresh fruit!)

Electric Homemade

Ice Cream Ball

(looks fun, but very expensive for so little)

Ziploc Method

Coffee Can Method

Hand Cranky-Cranky

Local Ice Cream Man

Cake

And of course, there are hundreds of ways that we consume and manipulate this delectable dish from the classic cone, Sundae, bars, floats, sandwiches...and on and on

We feel like playing taste bud Gods when we invent new flavors and combinations that send our senses to heaven. I know I will be when I play around with my new ice cream maker!

So let me end in tribute to the cow, by which this dairy creation and millions of happy children are indebted to its service. Thank you cow.

Just because, isn't this Neapolitan cow too cute?
Just for "Mooo"re fun: Ice Cream History:
http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/ice_cream.htm
http://www.makeicecream.com/hisoficecrea.html