🍫🥤 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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Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches — Cookie dough ice cream is flanked between two rich and fudgy brownies, creating an enhanced and more decadent version of a classic ice cream sandwich.
Brilliant! This could be for reals dangerous. 4 ingredients. No ice cream maker. Hello, Frosty every night. Pinned.
I know, I want a Frosty every night too LOL. Thanks for pinning!
I haven’t had a Wendy’s frosty in forever! This homemade version calls for a side of fries and a burger…or maybe a grilled chicken sandwich to keep it on the healthier side. :)
Fries dipped in Frosties are the best!
This drink might be a teeny weeny too easy even for a low fat drink.
What a sneaky and excellent recipe detective job that you did.
Thank you, Carol! :)
DUDE. WANT.
Uncannily close to the real thing!
wow, this is what I want. Weather is dipping here and today it’s in 40’s.
I have been craving a Wendy’s frosting like crazy! And now I can make my own, that’s scary. All I need are some french fries to dip. :)
Omg YES. You have to have fries dipped in it! That was my junior high dream meal :) And thank for pinning!
Have been seeing this on Pinterest but wasn’t sure how it would turn out but have to say your recipes have never failed me in the past so will have to try this one out too! Luckily I have half a can of sweetened condensed milk to use anyways. It seems like the only flavoring this is missing compared to the homemade baileys is a tiny bit of coffee + whiskey right? Might have to add a little bit in and see how it turns out!
LMK what you think if you try it! And yes to adding Baileys, whiskey, or coffee. Can’t go wrong :)
Oh my gosh, yes to Bailey’s in Frosties. Love that there are only 4 ingredients and that this recipe makes about 2 servings. If it made any more than that I would be in serious trouble, haha. Your version definitely looks better than the original!
Thanks for saying my version looks better than the original! :)
Something tells me Pinterest is going to love this recipe! The 30 minutes in the freezer is the trick I’ve been looking for – getting the thick creaminess without adding a bunch of ice (bleh) Looks chocolatey-, refreshing, and easy aka perfect!
I know, ice into smoothies or shakes makes them get so watery, so fast – yes, just a little chill time is all you need for this one!
Being able to add Baileys is yet another reason why you shouldn’t run to Wendy’s ;) its always better homemade!
Amen!
Just give me a a straw! Need this! Pinned!
thanks for the pin!
I would love to try this with TruWhip!
We always make an assortment of smoothies put them in sealed mason jars and stick them in a big tub of ice on pool days, for super easy entertaining. This will be a perfect addition!
I do the same thing you do with pre-making smoothies. Except I actually freeze them in plastic cups and about an hour or so before we’re ready, just pull them out of the freezer. As long as the blender is dirty, may as well blend in batches, right!
I used to get frosty’s all the time, and it’s been a while. This may be low-fat, but it still looks amazingly rich and creamy!
YES it is! Super rich and creamy! It’s not healthfood but it’s at least…healthier? than the original, I think :)
I love Frosty’s!! I need to try this soon!
I have been craving a frosty for weeks now. I love this idea!!