It’s official I have been bitten by the red cup!! The red cup drove me in, and now I want more, more I tell yah! But can I afford the calories? Can I afford the cash? The answer is no! So what is a girl to do? Well, make your own silly!!!
Oh Peppermint Mocha Frappe, so cool, creamy and so pepperminty. Oh how I love thee…. But it’s cold out I want a hot latte. But do I dare share two coffee recipes with you today? Of course I do!!!
Ahhh, a hot peppermint latte. Mmmm, coffee, chocolate and peppermint all together to make this skinny little package!! It’s like a combination of peppermint hot chocolate and coffee. How perfect is that? Time to kick the red cup to the curb!!!
Ok, I’m only kidding, I wouldn’t actually kick the red cup to the curb! I’m a gold member after all!! I love Starbucks and it’s pretty apparent that I do, since I try to copy their wonderful coffee recipes!! But one thing I don’t like about Starbucks is the calories! So this past weekend I experimented on my two favorite holiday drinks. The Frappe was pretty easy to make, but I made the latte a few times to get it exact. Lucky for me, I could still taste my Starbucks, so I think I did a pretty good job at replicated their latte.
When I was out and about on Saturday I did my normal Target run and what I found was peppermint flavored whip cream. It is 15 calories for two tablespoons, so I bought it. I just need to limit myself on it. Now don’t do what I did for the photos and add a ton of whip cream. I kind went overboard, but it does look pretty!
Like the little candies? I stole them from work. I thought they would be pretty to go with my drink! I made the frappe using xanthan gum to thicken it up and to prevent it from separating for photo purposes. However the stuff thicken my drink up so much that I ended up with 5 cups. If you make the drink and not use the xanthan gum, you should get about 2 cups or a little more. Crazy how that stuff works. Between you and I, I only use the xanthan gum so the drink doesn’t separate for my photos, otherwise I don’t use it. But if your sharing your drink, use it! You get more bang for the buck!
Lets do some comparisons to see how I compared to Starbucks Frappe. I love to do these!
Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappe (venti) – Calories: 250, Fat: 2, Sodium: 310, Carbs: 52, Fiber: 4, Sugar: 37, Protein: 8
PB&P Peppermint Frappe (2 cups) – Calories: 44.7, Fat: .03, Sodium: 63.6, Carbs: 6.4, Fiber: .03, Sugar: 6, Protein: 4.3
Who loves ya baby? I do!!! The numbers speak for themselves! Here is the recipe for the Frappe.
Coffee blended with flavored peppermint extract, cocoa powder and nonfat milk.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups frozen coffee, partially frozen
- 1/2 cup non-fat milk
- 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 - 1 tsp. stevia (to taste)
- 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract
- 1/8 tsp. xanthan gum (optional)
- Optional Toppings:
- Peppermint whip cream
- 1 dash chocolate flakes
Instructions
- In a blender at all your ingredients, process until smooth.
Notes
Calories: 44.7, Fat: .03, Sodium: 63.6, Carbs: 6.4, Fiber: .03, Sugar: 6, Protein: 4.3
One thing I found with both drinks is I needed to add more Stevia then normal. So taste test it to see how much sugar you may need. Also note that the Peppermint Extract I used is very potent! I little goes a long way!! You can thank Trader Joe’s for all of this! It’s their coffee, there unsweetened cocoa powder and it’s their peppermint extract! Yupper Doodles they carry peppermint extract now!! Yah!!! Look how cute the bottle is. Oh and I updated my TJ’s page!
So how did I do with the Latte? Now the calories are higher than with the Frappe because I used more milk, but basically the recipe is close to the same!!
Starbucks Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte (Grande) – Calories: 130, Fat: 1.5, Sodium: 0, Carbs: 17, Fiber: 4, Sugar: 13, Protein: 13
PB&P Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte (1 1/2 cups) – Calories: 90.9, Fat: 1.5, Sodium: 97, Carbs: 14.1, Fiber: 3, Sugar: 9.4, Protein: 8.1
I have to say our drinks are pretty comparable! Mine is less calories, less carbs, less sugar, but also less protein and fiber. But all in all not bad!! Ok Starbucks I’m ok with your drink!
A hot coffee made with cocoa powder, non-fat milk and peppermint extract.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup coffee, freshly brewed
- 3/4 cup milk, non-fat
- 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
- 1 tbsp. + 2 tsp. unsweetned cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp. stevia, to taste
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, add all the ingredients together and whisk until warmed and incorporated. Taste test it to see if you need to add more sugar.
Notes
Calories: 90.9, Fat: 1.5, Sodium: 97, Carbs: 14.1, Fiber: 3, Sugar: 9.4, Protein: 8.1
I had fun with my weekend experiments I am so glad I did this. You may have noticed that I made a Peppermint Frappe last year, but this blows that recipe out of the water! I like these two much better.
I sure hope you like peppermint! I have lots of recipes that I want to make using my new found peppermint extract! Peppermint is one my favorite things this time of year!! What is your favorite holiday flavor?
Well my peeps, time for me to go, I feel like I have been writing way to long!
Have a great day!!
Toodles,
Jennifer
YAH! My Drink was featured at the Weekend Pot Luck! Thank you Betty!! :)
I could majorly kiss you right now. I’ve been DREAMING of peppermint mochas…but don’t want to expend the calories. SO trying this to curb my craving!!
Hey I understand! When I go to Starbucks I must drive the ladies crazy! I ask, how many calories, is that? How many pumps do you use. Can you make it less? if you do will it still taste good? They are so kind, but I know they must think I am crazy!
I have to agree with Joanne on this!! I want to kiss you too!!! Peppermint and chocolate is such a Christmas flavor to me!! I love those red cups too, and dont mind a splurge once in awhile but I am REALLY looking forward to buying me a special Christmas mug (maybe red) and enjoying your Peppermint Mochas!! Thanks again!
Ahhh, I love all the kisses! lol I agree peppermint and chocolate is very Christmas to me too!! One of my favorite things about the holiday! I bought a white mug with white snowflakes and a red silhouette of a lady putting a gift under a Christmas tree! I was going to use it in my photo but I thought I may have been pushing the Christmas season too soon!
When I lived in Canada I would go to Second Cup for coffee, and they had a Creme Brulee Ristretto, I still dream about it!
Your pics are terrific, you may convert me to peppermint lattes.
Ohhh, Creme Brulee Ristretto sounds so yummy!! Try the Peppermint latte. If you like peppermint patties, I think you’ll like this drink!
Mmm….what a great idea! Not sure why I haven’t thought of this. You better believe I’ll be picking up some peppermint extract this weekend.
I love TJ’s peppermint extract! You have to get some! I think it’s good quality and wonderful flavor!
I’m always looking for a reason to hit up Trader Joe’s. I’m there!
I could really use one of these frappes right now! It’s totally dessert time and your frappe looks so tempting!
Have one with decaf coffee. it’s low calorie and perfect dinner time dessert!!
What a great recipe! A healthy alternative to the high calorie cups served at starbucks!!
This looks so yummy! I’d love for you to share your recipes on my new blog hop, {Wheat-Free Wednesday}! Hope to see you there!
http://www.annemariecain.com/wheat-free-wednesday-11-07-12/
Anne-Marie
Thank you for the invite! I linked up to your blog hop!!! I just love your blog!
Jennifer,
Your frappe’s and latte’s and mocha’s ALWAYS look so amazing. It is now 12:37am and I haven’t gone to bed yet and all I can think of is a Skinny Peppermint Mocha/Frappe ! Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share this week! Have a wonderful week.
Michelle
Thank you Michelle for having me!! I hope you try the drink! I love it! I’m having one right now!!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for sharing at {Wheat-Free Wednesday} last week. Your post has been pinned to my Pinterest board and shared on my FB page. I hope you’ll share again this week:
http://www.annemariecain.com/wheat-free-wednesday-thanksgiving/
Anne-Marie
Thank you Anne-Marie! I’ll stop by again!
Hi Jennifer – wanted you to know I am featuring this yummy recipe as my personal favorite at Weekend Potluck today. C’mon over and snag your featured button. =)
First time to your site Jennifer and just made the peppermint mocha. I was in heaven. Thanks so much. This drink will be this season’s treat for mommy of 6 little kids. God Bless
I do want to try the frozen one but the other one tasted tooo pepperminty for me. Maybe 1/8 tsp of extract. Or maybe using almond milk did not mix well with it? Great idea but I used more coffee and milk and it was strong. I love peppermint so next time I think I will cut back on the extract. Awesome idea and this is great for the holidays!
Peppermint can be strong! I always start out with a little and go from there. Not sure how almond milk would taste with it, but I can’t imagine it would be to bad. Sorry it didn’t turn out great for you!! Have a wonderful weekend!
Looks so yummy! Do you think I could make a large batch of the latte and keep it warm in a crockpot for a party? Or is it something you should drink right away after making it? Thanks for sharing!!!
Good question! I would think you could make it and keep it warm in the crockpot. I would just whisk it occasionally and especially before serving! What a fantastic idea! The more I think of it, the more think, why not?
Goes great with Body By Vi!!!!
Where does the fiber come from? I don’t see it….as an avid W.W. member always looking for low calorie I am also looking at fiber but I sure do not see it in this drink.
The unsweetened cocoa powder has .06 grams of fiber in it. Thats all.