Wendy's Copycat Classic Frosty Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade Wendy's Frosty with this easy copycat recipe! This creamy frozen treat combines chocolate and vanilla for that signature Wendy's flavor that's not quite ice cream, not quite milkshake. Perfect for cooling down on hot days or satisfying sweet cravings anytime.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
4 hours (freezing time)
Serves:
4 servings
An overhead shot of a Wendy's Copycat Classic Frosty served in a clear glass with the characteristic thick, chocolate-brown frozen consistency swirled to a soft peak. A vintage metal spoon stands upright in the dessert, demonstrating its thick texture that doesn't immediately melt. Soft natural light streams across the scene, highlighting the subtle chocolate flecks and velvety surface. The glass sits on a rustic wooden table surrounded by scattered ingredients—a dusting of cocoa powder, a few chocolate shavings, and a small pitcher of cream—creating a homey, inviting atmosphere. Condensation forms delicately on the glass, suggesting the perfect frozen consistency.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">480ml whole milk</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">240ml heavy cream</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">115g sweetened condensed milk</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">60g chocolate syrup (like Hershey's)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 teaspoon salt</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder</li> </ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:
🔥 Calories:
🥑 Fat:
🧈 Saturated Fat:
🍞 Carbohydrates:
🍭 Sugar:
🍗 Protein:
🫀 Cholesterol:
🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Ice cream maker</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Blender or food processor</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Freezer-safe container with lid</li> </ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Begin by chilling your mixing bowl, whisk attachments, and freezer container in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This helps achieve the perfect frozen consistency by preventing premature melting during preparation. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> In your blender, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and cocoa powder. The combination of whole milk and heavy cream creates the perfect fat content for a creamy texture, while the sweetened condensed milk provides both sweetness and helps prevent ice crystals from forming. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Blend on medium speed for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth and well incorporated. Be careful not to over-blend as this can introduce too much air and affect the final texture. The mixture should be uniform in color with no visible specks of cocoa powder. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Pour the mixture into your pre-chilled ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually about 20-25 minutes. The mixture will gradually thicken and increase in volume. You're looking for a soft-serve consistency that's thick enough to hold its shape but still slightly pourable. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> If you don't have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into your freezer-safe container and freeze for 45 minutes. Remove and whisk vigorously to break up any ice crystals, then return to the freezer. Repeat this process every 30 minutes for about 3 hours total or until you achieve a thick, frosty consistency. This manual method prevents large ice crystals from forming and helps create the smooth texture Wendy's Frosties are known for. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Once your mixture has reached a soft-serve consistency, transfer it to your freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 3-4 hours to firm up to the perfect Frosty texture. The ideal Frosty is firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to be eaten with a spoon. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Before serving, let the Frosty sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes if it's too firm. The perfect Wendy's Frosty should be thick enough that a spoon stands up in it, but soft enough to enjoy immediately. Serve in chilled glasses for the authentic experience! </li> </ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Wendy's Copycat Classic Frosty Recipe?

The main ingredients are whole milk, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder. This combination creates that signature not-quite-ice-cream, not-quite-milkshake texture and flavour that Wendy's Frosties are known for.

How to cook Wendy's Copycat Classic Frosty Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Wendy's Copycat Classic Frosty Recipe by blending all ingredients until smooth, then either churning in an ice cream maker for 20-25 minutes or using the manual freeze-and-whisk method. After achieving a soft-serve consistency, freeze for 3-4 hours until firm yet scoopable, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving for the perfect texture.

Can I make a homemade Frosty without an ice cream maker?

Yes! Pour your mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 45 minutes. Then remove and whisk vigorously every 30 minutes for about 3 hours. This breaks up ice crystals and creates that signature smooth texture without specialised equipment.

What's the secret to getting that authentic Frosty texture?

The secret lies in the combination of milk fat (from whole milk and heavy cream), the emulsifiers in condensed milk, and the freezing process. The repeated whisking if not using an ice cream maker prevents large ice crystals, creating that signature thick-yet-creamy consistency.

How can I make a vanilla version of this frozen treat?

For a vanilla version, simply omit the cocoa powder and chocolate syrup, and increase the vanilla extract to 1 tablespoon. You can add 2 tablespoons of malted milk powder for that subtle malty flavour that complements the vanilla beautifully.

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Serve in chilled glasses for the authentic experience!" } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "157" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Maria Gonzalez", "datePublished": "2023-11-20", "reviewBody": "This recipe tastes exactly like the real thing! I couldn't believe how close it was to the Wendy's version. My kids couldn't tell the difference and now we save money by making these at home.", "name": "Tastes Exactly Like Wendy's", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Rajiv Patel", "datePublished": "2023-12-05", "reviewBody": "Perfect consistency! I followed the directions exactly and got that signature Frosty thickness. My kids loved it and keep asking me to make more. Definitely a family favorite now.", "name": "Perfect Consistency", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aisha Mohammed", "datePublished": "2023-12-18", "reviewBody": "This recipe is dangerously easy to make! I've made it three times in the past two weeks. The flavor is spot-on and I love that I can control the ingredients. No more late-night Wendy's runs!", "name": "Dangerously Delicious", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Lars Jorgensen", "datePublished": "2024-01-10", "reviewBody": "This homemade version is actually better than the drive-thru! It's creamier and I can make it a bit less sweet to my taste. The texture is perfect - that signature not-quite-ice-cream, not-quite-milkshake consistency that Wendy's is famous for.", "name": "Better Than Original", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sophie Chen", "datePublished": "2024-02-02", "reviewBody": "Super creamy without ice crystals! I used the manual method (no ice cream maker) and was impressed with how smooth it turned out. The combination of condensed milk and cocoa powder creates that authentic Frosty flavor. My family's new favorite dessert!", "name": "Perfectly Smooth Texture", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ]}

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