🍫🥤 This Copycat Wendy’s Frosty Recipe is lower in fat and so EASY to whip up! It tastes like a lighter chocolate milkshake, but it’s still super creamy and delicious, just like the fast food version you know and love!
Copycat Wendy’s Frosty Recipe
If you’re unfamiliar, a Frosty is a popular fast food treat from the Wendy’s food chain. Thick and creamy, it’s kind of like a cross between a chocolate milkshake and soft serve. It’s meant to be eaten with a spoon rather than a straw and is loved by kids and adults alike.
- This homemade Wendy’s Frosty recipe is fast, dangerously easy, and you don’t need an ice cream maker to achieve that creamy consistency.
- 4 easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to satisfy your chocolate craving.
- My version is low-fat, and while no one should ever confuse Frostys with health food, this version is lighter than the real thing, making it great for the whole family.
- The homemade Wendy’s chocolate Frosty is smooth, creamy, rich, sweet, and refreshing with nostalgic charm. I used restraint not to down the entire batch.
My 7-year-old inhaled about 18 ounces of Frosty in 18 seconds. Wish I still had that metabolism! She requested that I make more of this, like asap. I promise it tastes just like the real deal!
Love copycat recipes?
Try my copycat Disneyland churro toffee, copycat caramel macchiato, or Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookies next!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This homemade Frosty recipe is essentially a lightened-up chocolate milkshake.
Note: I used fat-free versions of whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk, plus low-fat chocolate milk to keep my Frosty better-for-you. Although, again, I’m by no means calling this a “healthy recipe”! If you want to use full-fat products, be my guest.
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need:
- Frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip): If you don’t have whipped topping like Cool Whip in your area, you could try making homemade whipped cream and freezing it for a similar effect. However, I’ve never tried this myself, so I can’t say for sure if it’s an appropriate substitute
- Sweetened condensed milk: Do NOT use evaporated milk! Sweetened condensed milk is NOT the same thing as evaporated milk, and the two are not interchangeable in this recipe. However, you can likely get away with heavy cream
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Chocolate milk: I use low-fat, but regular chocolate milk is also great
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
Possible Flavor Variations
The chocolate Frosty is the most classic version, but Wendy’s has come out with lots of flavor variations over the years, and they’re just as easy to replicate at home.
- Swap the chocolate milk for regular milk for a vanilla Frosty.
- Use strawberry milk in place of chocolate milk for a strawberry Frosty.
- Incorporate mix-ins like a caramel sauce, chocolate syrup swirl, fudgy sea salt brownie pieces, or cookie dough pieces for extra flavor and texture.
Need to keep your frosty vegan or dairy-free?
You could likely keep the Frosty vegan by using vegan whipped topping, omitting the sweetened condensed milk, and using chocolate almond milk instead.
Likewise, if you need to keep this recipe dairy-free, make the appropriate substitutes for your dietary needs.
How to Make a Copycat Wendy’s Frosty Recipe
Making homemade Wendy’s Frostys couldn’t be simpler! Follow these easy steps:
- Add the Frosty ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the chocolate milk mixture into two glasses or a freezer-safe container with a lid, and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour for the perfect Frosty consistency.
- Don’t forget to give your Frosty a good stir before digging in! And, of course, you can never go wrong with adding seasoned oven fries and air fryer crispy chicken nuggets for a complete meal, too!
Can I Make a Batch of Frostys in Advance?
Yes! You can actually make a big batch of homemade Frostys and store them in the freezer for up to a month.
Just make sure to cover the glasses in plastic wrap or store the mixture in plastic bags so the Frostys don’t soak up any smells from the freezer.
If your Frosty is frozen solid, let it sit at room temperature for half an hour before enjoying. It’ll become thick and creamy in no time!
Copycat Wendy’s Frosty
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whipped topping, (such as Cool Whip, keep it frozen; I use fat free; containers in the US are usually 16 ounces so use about 3/4 of the container)
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate milk**
Instructions
- To the canister of a blender, add the whipped topping, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, pour the milk over the top, and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour mixture into 2 glasses and freeze for about 30 to 60 minutes, or until desired consistency is reached. Stir well before serving.
- Extra portion will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 1 month (cover glasses with plastic wrap or place inside a ziplock to prevent freezer smells). Allow to come up to room temp for about 30 minutes before serving if frozen solid.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Yum! I need to get a blender so I can make this frothy, frosty treat!
YUM! This looks like a totally authentic frosty too! Love that it’s so chocolatey and low-fat. My kind of shake – so it will pass for breakfast right? ;) Also, I love that it’s only 4 ingredients and nothing crazy that I don’t have! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning and yes on the chocolate for breakfast idea!
This is wayyyyy too easy- I’ll probably be making a lot of these this summer! Love that this is four ingredients and low fat- and probably much cheaper than Wendy’s too!
Oh man, I haven’t had a Frosty in yearsss. Looks awesome, Averie. Pinned!
Nor had I! And thanks for pinning!
Oh, gosh do these frosty’s look amazing. Love how yours call for so few basic ingredients, whereas the fast-food frosty’s are so full of nasty stuff.
And so perfect for the approaching warm weather! Definitely going to have to try these babies this summer (or possibly even sooner) pinned!
Thanks for pinning & yes to as few ingredients as possible!
I love a FROSTY!!! Omg. I need this Averie! Totally will be indulging in one of these soon.
That looks amazing! So yummy looking :-)
Yeah, I remember the last time I had a frosty…a LONG time ago. This will definitely help me from succumbing. ;)
LOL..good!
I haven’t had a frosty in about 1o years. Love that you came up with a copycat- love when you know exactly what you are eating, I just don’t trust most fast food restaurants… but you, I do ;)
You’re sweet, thank you! And honestly in San Diego, I don’t even know where there IS a Wendy’s. In 10+ years of living here, I swear, I’ve never seen one! (or I just don’t pay attention…LOL)
Isn’t it funny how sometimes an old memory just pops into your head like that? I love that this is the way you satisfied your craving! Beautiful pictures Averie. Pinning :)
Thanks for pinning & yes sometimes you just can’t get something out of your head til you make it!
Never would have guessed whipped topping was in this…and I prefer partially or fully frozen cool whip over thawed anyway. There is a Wendy’s less than 5 min from my house but it’s been a long time since I’ve had a frosty too….though this sounds really good and would be fun to try!
Semi frozen cool whip is so good! I mean, it’s empty calories at their finest but so good! And funny, in San Diego, I don’t even know where there IS a Wendy’s. In 10+ years of living here, I swear, I’ve never seen one! (or I just don’t pay attention…LOL)
Oh my goodness. I haven’t had a frosty in years either, but they are SO good!! I’m gonna have to make one of these puppies soon!! :)
You totally just took me back to my childhood! Loving this recipe and how simple it is! Though you’re right… that could be dangerous!
Totally dangerous! haha!
We don’t have a Wendy’s over here (The Netherlands), but this sure does look delicious! So creamy… <3 Should definitely try this out when the weather gets a tad bit warmer over here. I think my boyfriend could devour a whole batch XD
I didn’t know you lived in the Netherlands! Well thanks for reading from halfway around the world! And yes, these things are easily devoured!
Oh man, Frostys are my FAV! But, I also haven’t had one in years. Yours looks so thick, chocolatey and PERFECT…and way way too easy. I hate and love you for that part! Pinned!
LOL and thanks for pinning!
A fitting recipe for the coming warm weather! And inafree, Bailey’s would MAKE this;)