If you love the taste but hate the excess sugar, calories, and big-buck cost of Starbucks dreamy Strawberry Frappuccino, I have great news for you! In doing a back-to-back tasting with the big ’bucks original, my test kitchen helpers and I found this luscious drink was not only just as rich and creamy, it also offered a much fresher strawberry flavor. Another bonus? It did so without any of the artificial flavors or added sugars!!
This drink is also very versatile. If you prefer dairy-free milk alternatives, would like more protein in your glass or would like to further lower the “points,” use the following substitutions:
For a dairy-free frappe substitute 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond or soy milk for the low-fat milk and 1/4 liquid non-dairy creamer for the half-and-half (Cal.110/Points 4) For a hi-protein strawberry yogurt frappe, Swap the half-and-half for non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt. You’ll be rewarded with 10 grams of belly-filling protein along with 25% of your daily requirement of calcium (Cal.150/Points 5)
MAKES 1 SERVING
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup nonfat half-and-half
2/3 cup frozen strawberries (about 6 large)
3 tablespoons granulated no-calorie sweetener* (or 4 packets of any no-calorie sweetener)
1/2 cup crushed ice
1. Place all the ingredients except the ice in a blender. Blend to mix.
2. Add crushed ice and blend on high until the ice is completely incorporated. Top with light whipped cream, if desired.
*NOTES: For all natural Truvia for Baking, or another twice-as-sweet-sugar blend, per the package directions, use one-half as much, or 1 1/2 tablespoons.
DARE TO COMPARE: A grande Strawberry Blended Crème Frappuccino at Starbucks has 390 calories including the equivalent of 15 teaspoons of sugar and 9 grams of saturated fat!
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: Calories 150 | Carbohydrate 25g (Sugars 15g) | Total Fat 1.5g (Sat Fat 1g) | Protein 7g | Fiber 2g | Cholesterol 5mg | Sodium 65mg | Food Exchanges: ½ Low-Fat Milk, ½ Fruit, ½ Starch | Carbohydrate Choices: 1 1/2 | Weight Watcher Smart Point Comparison Comparison: green 6, blue 6, purple 6
