Homemade Frosty Recipe

If you’ve ever dipped French fries into a Frosty at Wendy’s, you know the magic of this fast food classic. Now you can make the real deal right in your own kitchen with just a few simple ingredients. This copycat Wendy’s Frosty recipe has the same creamy, chocolatey flavor of the real thing, all thanks to a clever mix of sweetened condensed milk, Cool Whip, milk, and Nesquik. Whether you’re craving a fun treat on a hot summer day or you’re just craving a Frosty after dinner, this recipe is a keeper.

What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer day? How about a creamy, chocolatey homemade Frosty, just like Wendy’s, but made right in your own kitchen?

The first time we made these, over a decade ago now, we had been working in the backyard and decided to pull out the ice cream maker. We ended up making a batch of homemade chocolate Frostys, and it quickly became a favorite. The best part is that it uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

Yep, just four ingredients and a little patience are all it takes. Add everything to the ice cream machine, let it run for 30 to 40 minutes, and you have Frosty’s with that perfect malt-like consistency.

If you’re patient or lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer them to a freezer-safe container for a firmer, scoopable treat. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to grab a straw, dip your French fries, and just enjoy the moment.

Homemade Frosty Recipe

The best part about this Frosty is how easy it is to make. With just four simple ingredients, you can have that creamy, chocolatey goodness without ever leaving your kitchen. There’s no tricky prep involved, just let your ice cream machine handle the work while you sit back and wait for the magic to happen. The flavor is spot on, just like the original recipe from Wendy’s, and you can easily switch things up by trying a strawberry Frosty or even a vanilla version. And let’s be honest, part of the fun is dipping a salty batch of French fries into that sweet, frosty mixture. It’s the ultimate treat.

My first job was at Wendy’s, many, many moons ago! If you love their classic menu, like I do, you need to check out my Wendy’s Copycat Taco Salad recipe and this recipe for Wendy’s Chicken à la King Baked Potatoes, too! 

Ingredients to Make Frostys at Home

For complete ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card. 

• Sweetened condensed milk – gives that smooth, sweet base.
• Whole milk – for richness (you can use reduced-fat versions or even plant-based replacements if you’d like).
• Nesquik cocoa powder – brings the signature chocolate flavor.
• Cool Whip – the secret to the creamy, soft serve texture.

How to Make a Wendy’s Frosty

Add the sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, Nesquik, and Cool Whip to the bowl of your ice cream machine.

Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the Frosty mixture reaches your desired consistency (about 30–40 minutes).

Serve immediately for a soft, malt-like texture, or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 hours to firm it up for a more scoopable texture.

Store leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 week. To serve again, let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before scooping.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this recipe for Homemade Frostys, be sure you can find it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• For a homemade chocolate Frosty that’s dairy-free, use non-dairy milk such as almond milk and a dairy-free whipped topping.
• Want to mix it up? Try using Strawberry Nesquik for a strawberry Frosty, or use vanilla malt powder and a splash of vanilla extract for a vanilla Frosty.
• The size of your ice cream maker may affect churn time. Larger machines can sometimes freeze the mixture faster.
• If you notice ice crystals, it just means the Frosty sat in the freezer too long; just let it soften at room temperature before serving.

FAQs

• Can I make this without an ice cream machine? The truth is, the best results come from using an ice cream machine. It’s what gives the Frosty that light, creamy texture by whipping in air as it freezes. If you don’t have one, you can pour the mixture into a shallow pan and give it a stir every 30 minutes while it freezes. Just know that the texture will be more icy than the real deal, but still tasty.
• Does it really taste like a Wendy’s Frosty? Yes! This is about as close as you’ll get to the real thing without hitting the drive-thru. The combination of Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, and Nesquik gives it that signature flavor and smooth, soft serve texture Frosty fans love.
• What’s the difference between this and chocolate ice cream? This homemade Frosty is lighter and fluffier than traditional chocolate ice cream. It’s closer to a milkshake-meets-soft serve consistency, which is exactly what makes it so fun to eat (or dip your French fries into).

More Fast Food Copycat Recipes to Love

If you have followed along with me for a while, you know how much I enjoy making restaurant copycats at home. To me, it’s so valuable knowing what is in the food we eat. One of the first recipes I set out to make was Homemade Daiquiri Ice from Baskin Robbins, pictured above. Other fast drink recipes and frozen treats include Dairy Queen’s Buster Bars and Apple Pie Blizzards, Sonic’s Cherry Limeade, and this viral recipe for Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea.

Other fast food favorites are my Homemade Big Mac and my McDonald’s Filet ‘o Fish Sandwich (with that classic McDonald’s tartar sauce we can’t get enough of!), my Taco Bell Enchiritos, Meximelts and Mexican Pizzas, and this King’s Food Host Classic for Cheese Frenchees. Be sure to check out this spot-on recipe for Copycat Chick-fil a Sauce, too!

Browse all of my Restaurant Copycat Recipes Here

There’s just something about sipping on a Frosty that never gets old, and now you don’t have to wait for the drive-thru to enjoy one. With a few simple ingredients and your trusty ice cream machine, you can whip up this creamy, dreamy treat anytime the craving hits. Whether you’re dipping French fries for that salty-sweet combo, serving it up as a fun dessert on a hot summer day, or just recreating a little bit of fast food nostalgia at home, this homemade Frosty is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

This recipe was originally posted on June 27, 2014. It has been updated to improve the user’s experience and reshared on August 26, 2025.