Copycat Wendy’s Frosty (+Video)
This Copycat Wendy’s Frosty recipe only has two ingredients and makes enough for a small crowd. Creamy deliciousness!
A CREAMY, CHOCOLATE FROSTY RECIPE
The sweet treat that isn’t really ice cream and it’s not quite a milkshake. It’s in the in-between zone. This is handy if you don’t live close to a Wendy’s and everyone in my family loves to make this. If you have kids, it’s a fun and easy treat for them to make and you don’t have to worry about your Frostys melting on the drive home!
![Wendy's Frosty in a clear glass with a spoon inside.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1st-image-Copycat-Wendys-Frosty-scaled.jpg)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
This recipe will make about 8-10 Frosty’s (or is it Frosties? or just Frosty even though its plural? – someone help me answer this.)
I have a 1 ½ quart ice cream maker and this recipe works perfectly for this size. If your ice cream maker is larger, you may want to double the recipe.
As far as I know, most ice cream maker bowls must be completely frozen before use. I cover it with plastic wrap (so it doesn’t form ice crystals on the bowl) and freeze for at least 24-48 hours. When I’m ready to use it, I pull off plastic wrap, pop it into position and turn it on
I don’t know. I only use cow’s milk so I honestly couldn’t tell you how it would work or set up with milk substitutes. If you try it, please let me know!
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, just whisk together the two ingredients in a freezer-safe bowl, cover and stick into the freezer for several hours until it starts to get slushy. Stir again. Once it reaches the consistency of a frosty, then its ready to enjoy!
![overhead photo of Wendy's Frosty in a clear glass with a spoon stuck inside.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Copycat-Wendys-Frosty-main-image-scaled.jpg)
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- chocolate milk
- sweetened condensed milk
![chocolate milk and sweetened condensed milk.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wendys-Frosty.jpg)
HOW TO MAKE A WENDY’S FROSTY:
In a medium bowl, whisk together chocolate milk and sweetened condensed milk until combined.
![chocolate milk and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl with a whisk.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wendys-Frosty-1-scaled.jpg)
Pour into canister of ice cream maker. I turn my ice cream maker on before pouring. This helps to prevent the liquid from sticking to the sides right away. Then I pour the mixture into the bowl as it is turning.
![chocolate milk mixture in a ice cream maker.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wendys-Frosty-3-1-scaled.jpg)
Freeze according to your ice cream maker’s directions.
![frozen chocolate milk and sweetened condensed milk in an ice cream maker.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wendys-Frosty-4-scaled.jpg)
It takes about 25 minutes for it to set up to a frosty consistency.
![overhead photo of a spoon holding some Wendy's chocolate Frosty over a glass.](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/last-image-Copycat-Wendys-Frosty-scaled.jpg)
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
![Copycat Wendy's Frosty recipe](https://www.thecountrycook.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Copycat-Wendys-Frosty-thumbnail-200x200.jpg)
Copycat Wendy’s Frosty (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1 quart full fat chocolate milk
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together chocolate milk and sweetened condensed milk until combined.
- Pour this mixture into the ice cream maker bowl and freeze according to your ice cream maker's directions. (I turn my ice cream maker on before pouring. This helps to prevent the liquid from sticking to the sides right away.)
- Once it reaches the consistency of a frosty, its ready to serve. It took about 25 minutes in mine.
Video
![YouTube video](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9gvUV1AmccE/hqdefault.jpg)
Notes
- I have a 1 ½ quart ice cream maker and this recipe works perfectly for this size. If your ice cream maker is larger, you may want to double the recipe.
- Also, the ice cream maker bowl must be completely frozen before use. I cover it with plastic wrap (so it doesn’t form ice crystals on the bowl) and freeze for at least 24-48 hours. When I’m ready to use it, I pull off plastic wrap, pop it into position and turn it on.
- Freeze any leftovers in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, just whisk together the two ingredients in a freezer-safe bowl, cover and stick into the freezer for several hours until it starts to get slushy. Stir again. Once it reaches the consistency of a frosty, then its ready to enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: August 2011
Updated and republished: April 2022
I make this a little differently. I use chocolate milk and Cool Whip. It has less sugar than sweetened condensed milk.
Great post! Anything “ice cream” grabs me everytime, and I’m addicted to frosties….thanks!!
Hi. Saw this recipe and love frosty s. Anyway to make them without a ice cream machine? Ty
Hi Elaine! To be totally honest, I have never tried it. I suppose you could but I would have to test it out to see what would work.
Do you think this would work with the Chocolate Almond Milk & Fat Free condensed milk?
Hi Sheila! I just don’t know to be honest. I’m not sure how well it will hold up. If you give it a try – let me know! 🙂
I love, love, love Frostys and excited to try your recipe. One question. Can I use those plastic bags that they put your groceries in at the store? Have LOTS of those.
I made this yesterday for my kids after realizing our carton of chocolate milk was really close to its sell by date. It was FANTASTIC! I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but this was really good and the texture was awesome. Thanks for sharing! I love reading your blog!! 🙂
Sorry.. I just commenred and forgot to say my name is Anna but Thanks for the third time!
I have that exact ice cream maker and use it very often, so I just store my bucket in the freezer. I have wanted to duplicate a frosty forever now but couldn't come up with something that worked. I never would have thought of putting sweetened condensed milk in it! You are a genius. Thank you so much for your help and the next time I need a recipe http://www.thecountrycook.net will be the first place I look.(And from me, coming before google is a real honor.) Thanks Again!
Well if that doesn't beat all???? Leave it to you to come up with this amazing recipe. Pinning!
Very nice I didn't know you could make your own frosty at home lol.
Barb – so glad to have you here! And I'm happy you've had a chance to try out the recipe too! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know the results & that you enjoyed it! Hope you find lots more recipes on here that you love!
II DO NOT HAVE AN ICE CREAM MAKER,,,, I WILL HAVE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET ONE???????????/
AM HAPPY TO KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE FROSTY
Tried this last night after seeing the Yahoo article and then finding your blog – I can't wait to make some of your other recipes! I used FF sweetened condensed milk because that is what I had. I did just use store brand chocolate milk. After half hour, it looked thick enough, but was not quite as thick upon removal(probably due to FF condenses milk) but really TASTY! No complaints from the family. Put the leftovers in the freezer and looking forward to eating tonight!
Hi Genevieve! I'm so happy you found your way here from that article!! You could definitely use a soy milk for this. Just make sure you go with a brand that has a deep chocolate flavor. Now, as for the sweetened condensed milk, I've been racking my brain on that one. I don't have any lactose intolerant folks in my family so I'm not real familiar with many of the lactose-free products. You could make your own version at home. Just not sure how much work you want to put into making this. Condensed milk is just milk & sugar that has been reduced to give you that thick & rich consistency. Now, keep in mind, I'm not sure how any of this will affect the taste of the final product. But it might be worth a try to give your lactose-intolerant family members a try of a special treat they can't normally eat. 🙂
Ingredients:
3 cups Milk
1/2 cup White Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Salt
Directions: Add the soy milk and the sugar to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until volume is reduced to 1 cup. Add a few drops of vanilla to taste, and a pinch of salt. Cool before using. May be stored in the refrigerator.
As I said, I've never tried this but if you give it a shot, I'd love to know your results. 🙂
Hi Brandie,
I love the opportunity to make homemade frosties for my family, but most of my family members are lactose intolerant, so is there a way to make this lactose free? I was thinking of using Chocolate Silk Soymilk, but what can be used other than the sweetened condensed milk? Having to take a Lactaid pill with the first bite of anything with dairy takes the excitement out of any delicious food.
Super simple! How would this work with low-fat chocolate milk and fat-free condensed milk?
Thanks,
Dense
It looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe. Hope to see you on my blog:)
I bet it's better for you than a real Frosty, too! (And we have the same ice cream maker! This week I posted a piña colada limonada sherbet. YUM. I love having an ice cream maker!)
I would so love a frosty right about now. I'll have to try this. Thanks for the recipe.
Love frostys and I love to make ice cream so this one is a no-brainer for me! Thanks for the recipe!
Frostys are the best! And this is so incredibly simple! Now I don't have to wait until I go to Wendy's to get a Frosty 🙂 yay!
You had me at FROSTY! I love those – everyone in my famiy does and my kids would love it if I made these. I may have to try!
The chocolate frosty is my favorite..my husband tends to lead to the vanilla. I love how easy this recipe is, I will have to make some.
Cool. what a great way to use my ice cream machine. I have one just like yours. Maybe I will make a strawberry frosty.