Vegan Maca Caramel Frap

Name: Vegan Maca Caramel Frap
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours in cold water (or 10 minutes in boiling water)); 2 Medjool dates (soft, pitted); 1/2 banana (sliced and frozen); handful ice cubes; 1/2 teaspoon maca powder; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; pinch fine sea salt; 1/4 cup cold brewed coffee; 1/4 cup non-dairy milk

This Vegan Maca Caramel Frap is silky and frothy with caramel-like sweetness from soft Medjool dates, creamy body from soaked raw cashews and frozen banana, and a coffee lift from cold-brewed coffee and maca. The texture is thick but drinkable—think indulgent iced coffee, without dairy.

It’s a no-cook, 5-minute blend that makes one generous serving—perfect for a quick morning boost or an afternoon iced treat. Blend and drink right away while it’s frothy and cold.

Why You’ll Love This Frap

This recipe is no-cook and ready in about 5 minutes: soaked cashews and frozen banana create real creaminess while soft Medjool dates give a natural caramel flavor. For another simple recipe that highlights dates and banana, try Quinoa Breakfast Bake with Dates and Bananas.

True creaminess without dairy—soaked cashews + frozen banana give a rich mouthfeel.
Natural caramel sweetness from Medjool dates—no refined sugar needed.
Fast and no-cook: blends in about 5 minutes for one serving.
Easily customizable—swap non-dairy milks or adjust sweetness and thickness.

Bright notes from cold-brewed coffee and a pinch of salt balance the sweetness so the drink tastes indulgent rather than cloying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1/4 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours in cold water (or 10 minutes in boiling water): Raw cashews supply the creamy, nutty base and thicken the frap when soaked and blended.
2 Medjool dates, soft, pitted: Soft Medjool dates provide concentrated caramel-like sweetness and depth without refined sugar.
1/2 banana, sliced and frozen: Frozen banana adds body, creaminess, and natural sweetness while keeping the frap cold and thick.
handful ice cubes: Ice cubes chill and slightly dilute the drink for a cafe-style frosty texture.
1/2 teaspoon maca powder: Maca powder contributes a mild malted flavor that complements the caramel notes.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla extract rounds and enhances the sweet, caramel-like profile.
pinch fine sea salt: A pinch of fine sea salt amplifies the sweetness and balances flavor.
1/4 cup cold brewed coffee: Cold brewed coffee brings the coffee backbone and a gentle bitter contrast to the dates.
1/4 cup non-dairy milk: Non-dairy milk thins and enriches the blend—choose a creamier milk for a richer result.

How to Make the Frap

Place 1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked as directed), 2 soft Medjool dates (pitted), 1/2 sliced frozen banana, a handful of ice cubes, 1/2 teaspoon maca powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of fine sea salt, 1/4 cup cold brewed coffee, and 1/4 cup non-dairy milk into a blender.
Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and frothy; blend just until fully emulsified to keep it airy. Enjoy immediately.

Soaking Cashews Options

Soaked cashews are what turn this frap silky—you have two reliable options depending on time.

If you have time, soak cashews in cold water for at least 4 hours (or overnight) for the creamiest texture. For a fast shortcut, pour boiling water over cashews and let them sit for 10 minutes; they soften enough for blending but won’t be as pillowy as the long soak.

Cold soak (4+ hours): best creaminess and smoothest mouthfeel.
Quick soak (10 minutes in boiling water): fast and effective when you’re short on time.

Adjust Sweetness & Texture

Soft Medjool dates are the key to the caramel note—add an extra date if you prefer sweeter, or remove it for a less sweet, more coffee-forward drink.

Frozen banana thickens and sweetens; use more for a milkshake-like frap or less for a lighter iced coffee smoothie.

Add 1 more date for noticeable extra sweetness.
Use less banana and more ice for a lighter, icier drink.

Blender Tips for Creaminess

A high-speed blender produces the smoothest result. If you have one, it will fully emulsify the cashews and air into the frap for that cafe-style froth.

To protect your blender and get an even blend, start with liquids near the blade, then add softer items (dates, maca), then frozen banana and ice on top.

Order: liquids first, then dates/maca, cashews, frozen banana, ice.
If the motor bogs down: pulse briefly, then run on high; add a splash more non-dairy milk if needed.

Tips for Success

If your dates are dry: Soak them in hot water for about 5 minutes to soften and unlock that caramel flavor before blending.

If the blender struggles: Use the pulse setting to break up the ice and cashews, or add an extra tablespoon of non-dairy milk to help the blades move.

Make it thicker: Add more frozen banana or reduce the non-dairy milk by a tablespoon or two for a spoonable consistency.

Caffeine-free option: Swap cold brewed coffee for chilled decaf or additional non-dairy milk for a caffeine-free caramel smoothie.

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Frequently asked questions

You can omit cashews, but the texture will be thinner. Substitute with 1/4 cup full-fat coconut yogurt or extra frozen banana for more body; the flavor will shift slightly.

Blend and store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but the froth will settle—give it a good shake or re-blend briefly before drinking.

Use chilled regular brewed coffee or espresso cooled in the fridge; just keep the 1/4 cup quantity to preserve the balance of coffee to creamer.

Last notes

This Vegan Maca Caramel Frap is an easy framework—play with sweetness, thickness, and milk type to suit your taste.

If you liked the date-and-banana flavor profile here, check the recipe card for quick make-ahead tips and enjoy experimenting.

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

1/4 cup raw cashews soaked for at least 4 hours in cold water (or 10 minutes in boiling water)
2 Medjool dates soft, pitted
1/2 banana sliced and frozen
handful ice cubes
1/2 teaspoon maca powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch fine sea salt
1/4 cup cold brewed coffee
1/4 cup non-dairy milk

Instructions

Place 1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked as directed), 2 soft Medjool dates (pitted), 1/2 sliced frozen banana, a handful of ice cubes, 1/2 teaspoon maca powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of fine sea salt, 1/4 cup cold brewed coffee, and 1/4 cup non-dairy milk into a blender.
Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and frothy.

Notes

I would aim for a richer plant milk, like a coconut or cashew-based one.

Also, since you’re incorporating raw cashews into this one, I think a high speed blender may be best. I’ve done this with cashews soaked for 4 hours, and cashews soaked for 10 minutes in boiling water, both with the same results.

I recommend really soft Medjool dates here because they truly do enhance that “caramel”-like flavour. If yours are on the dry side, just soak them in hot water for 5 minutes before blending.