Craving a Wendy's frosty but don't want to leave the house? You are going to love this amazing copycat frosty recipe that's quick and easy to make at home. It's a creamy frozen chocolate dessert all your frosty fans will love!
The chocolate frosty at Wendy's fast food restaurant is a take on a chocolate milkshake made without any ice cream!
It's a kid-friendly sweet treat perfect for a hot summer day. Using only three easy ingredients, it's way cheaper to make a batch of it at home rather than making the trek to Wendy's.
Serve them up for a fun dessert after a meal of burgers and french fries to complete the experience! Craving more Wendy's copycat recipes? Try making Wendy's chili at home.
For more frozen desserts you can make at home, try some peach ice cream sandwiches.
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😊 Why you will love this recipe
- Easy to whip up a big batch for a crowd or a small family gathering!
- Simple ingredients. All you need are three items you can find at any grocery store.
- Customizable recipe, which means more variations when you make it at home!
- A tasty chocolate treat the whole family will love!
- It's a close match to the original frosty!
🛒 Ingredient notes
You don't need much to make a homemade Wendy's frosty at the house! Let's look at the three simple ingredients you need to add to your grocery list.
- Cool whip: This non-dairy whipped cream is what makes this frozen drink so light and fluffy. You can also make your own whipped cream if you prefer.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Gives it just enough sweetness.
- Chocolate milk: For the richest flavor and perfect chocolatey flavor, use whole milk rather than low-fat.
See the recipe card for a complete list of the ingredients and the quantities you need for each.
How to make copycat Wendy's Frosty recipe
Making Frosty's at home takes just minutes. Here's what you need to do to make this homemade chocolate ice cream treat.
- Add thawed whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk into a medium size mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth.
- Pour in chocolate milk, whisking together.
- Using a 1.5 Cuisinart ice cream maker, pour half of the mixture into your frozen ice cream maker's bowl.
- Turn on your ice cream maker and freeze for 20 minutes, or until Frosty is at desired consistency! Serve frozen with a spoon.
TOP TIP: If you are using a larger-capacity ice cream maker, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
⭐ Freezing tip
An ice cream maker is the best way to get the proper consistency for your copycat frosty.
I like to use a Cuisinart 1.5-quart ice cream maker. What I like best about this ice cream maker is I do not need ice.
There is a double insulated bowl that I keep in my freezer. That way, I'm ready to make this frozen drink any time I want. Just follow the simple instructions that come with your Cuisinart ice cream maker.
This recipe will work well with other small ice cream maker brands. Just be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions and adjust as needed.
✔️ Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of my favorite ways to change up this copycat Wendy's Frosty recipe to make it suitable for different tastes and diets.
- Vegan: Swap the dairy milk for chocolate almond milk and use coconut sweetened condensed milk.
- Lower calorie: Use no sugar whipped topping and low-fat chocolate milk.
- Add some mix-ins: M & Ms, mint chocolate chips, chocolate cherry chips, chopped Reese's or chopped Oreo cookies.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup, and add some more whipped topping or homemade whipped cream to the top!
- Strawberry swirl frosty: Make the vanilla frosty recipe below and drizzle in strawberry syrup around the inside edges of your glass. Then fill with vanilla frosty. Drizzle strawberry syrup on top, also.
Wendy's Vanilla Frosty recipe
If you enjoy Wendy's Vanilla Frosty, you can make a copycat recipe at home, also. Substitute the chocolate milk for Nestle Nesquik Vanilla milk.
Wendy's copycat strawberry frosty
To make a Strawberry Frosty, use plain milk with Nesquik Strawberry Powder Mix added to the milk. You could also add strawberry syrup to the copycat vanilla frosty above. That is how Wendy's makes its Strawberry Frosty.
💭 Tips for making the recipe
- Store the leftover frosty mixture in the freezer in an airtight container for up to one month.
- Serving frozen Frosty's. Remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes on the counter or until it loosens enough you can break it up and stir until creamy again.
- Add your favorite toppings! The beauty of making homemade Frosty's is you can add whatever you like on top!
❓ FAQ
How can I make a Wendy's Frosty copycat without an ice cream maker?
If you do not have an ice cream freezer, mix up all the ingredients and then place the liquid in a freezer-safe container and freeze it overnight. To serve, you may need to let it soften slightly before you can break it up and transfer it to glasses.
The frosty consistency will not be the same, but the taste is great!
Another great way to make copycat Frostys is to mix all the ingredients and then pour it into popsicle molds. Everyone will enjoy these, and it makes it easy to make a big batch to keep in your freezer.
More Dessert Recipes for Chocolate Lovers
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Recipe
Copycat Wendy's Frosty Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Whipped topping thawed in refrigerator
- 7 ounces Sweetened condensed milk
- ½ gallon Chocolate milk
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Instructions
- Add thawed Cool Whip and sweetened condensed milk into a medium size mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth.
- Pour in chocolate milk, whisking together.
- Using a 1.5 Cuisinart ice cream maker, pour half of the mixture into your frozen ice cream maker's bowl.
- Turn on your ice cream maker and freeze for 20 minutes, or until Frosty is at desired consistency! Serve frozen with a spoon.
- Note* if you are using a larger capacity ice cream maker, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Need an item in the this recipe? Click the Instacart button and have it sent right to you.
Notes
- Store leftover frosty mixture in the freezer in an airtight container for up to one month.
- Serving frozen Frosty's. Remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes on the counter or until it loosens enough you can break it up and stir until creamy again.
- Add your favorite toppings! The beauty of making homemade Frosty's is you can add whatever you like on top!
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2015, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in October 2022.
📌 Don't Forget
victoria
Wow, does this sound good and looks like an easy recipe - perfect combination!
Gina Marie
My girls made this for a late night snack for dessert and a movie with their friends. This will be a regular at our house now for sure.