Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard Recipe

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One dessert that captures the joy of the season perfectly is the Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard. If you’re like me, this Dairy Queen favorite has become a go-to indulgence during chilly months, blending the nostalgic sweetness of sugar cookies with creamy vanilla goodness.

How to make a Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard

The Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard is a seasonal Dairy Queen dessert made by blending vanilla soft serve with sugar cookie pieces, icing, and colorful sprinkles.

Ingredients

To make this holiday-inspired treat, you’ll need:

For the Base:

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream (for a creamy texture, opt for premium-quality ice cream)
• ½ cup milk (use whole milk for richness or a dairy-free alternative if preferred)

Add-Ins:

• ½ cup soft sugar cookie pieces (homemade or store-bought; break them into small chunks for easy mixing)
• 2 tablespoons frosting (classic vanilla icing works best, but feel free to use buttercream or cream cheese frosting)
• 2 tablespoons festive sprinkles (choose holiday-themed colors for a fun, celebratory vibe)
• Optional: ½ teaspoon almond or vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Optional Toppings:

• Whipped cream
• Extra sugar cookie crumbles
• A sprinkle of holiday-colored sugar or sprinkles

Instructions

Follow these steps to create your Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard:

Step 1: Place your blender or food processor on the counter. Make sure it’s clean and ready to blend ice cream evenly. If needed, allow your vanilla ice cream to soften for 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Add the vanilla ice cream and milk to the blender. Start blending on low speed to ensure a smooth, creamy base. You’re aiming for a thick but scoopable consistency (like a milkshake!).

Step 3: Add your sugar cookie chunks to the blender. Pulse the blender a few times—don’t overdo it! You want the cookie pieces to remain slightly chunky for texture. If you prefer larger pieces of cookie, stir them in by hand.

Step 4: Gently swirl the frosting and sprinkles into the mixture. You can either fold them into the ice cream with a spatula or pulse the blender quickly. Be careful not to fully blend the sprinkles—they should retain their colorful appearance!

Step 5: Spoon the mixture into a large cup or bowl. Top with whipped cream, extra cookie crumbles, and a sprinkle of holiday decorations for added flair.

Step 6: Serve this Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard immediately while it’s creamy and cold, just like the ones from Dairy Queen!

Tips for Success

Creating the perfect Blizzard requires attention to detail. Here are a few tips to enhance your recipe:

• Choose the Right Cookies: Soft sugar cookies work best for this recipe. If using store-bought cookies, look for frosted ones that aren’t crunchy to keep the texture consistent.
• Adjust Your Milk: Adding too much milk will make your Blizzard runny, so start with ¼ cup and gradually add more until you reach your desired consistency.
• Use Quality Ice Cream: The vanilla ice cream is the foundation of this recipe; a high-quality brand will deliver creamier results and better flavor.
• Customize Your Add-Ins: Mix things up by adding candy cane crumbles, white chocolate chips, or even a dash of peppermint extract for a holiday twist.
• Chill Your Bowl: To maintain the frozen feel of the Blizzard, chill your serving bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes before adding the mixture.

What to serve with

The Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard is already a show-stopping dessert, but pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate your holiday celebration or dessert table to the next level.

Hot Chocolate

• Serve a mug of decadent hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream alongside the Blizzard.
• Add a peppermint stick or sprinkle of cinnamon for a holiday flair.

Holiday-Inspired Coffee or Lattes

• Pair the Blizzard with a spiced latte such as a gingerbread or eggnog latte. The warmth and subtle spice complement the sweet and creamy texture of the ice cream.
• For non-caffeine drinkers, you can opt for flavored hot tea like chai or vanilla rooibos.

Warm Apple Cider

• A cozy mug of apple cider has a tart, fruity undertone that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the Blizzard.
• Add a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange for a festive touch.

Ingredients Substitutes

Sometimes, you may run out of certain ingredients or prefer alternative options due to dietary restrictions, flavor preferences, or availability. Fortunately, making a Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard is highly adaptable!

Substitutes for the Base Ingredients

The base of your Blizzard consists of ice cream and milk, which creates the creamy consistency. Here are alternatives you can use:

1. Instead of Vanilla Ice Cream:

• Frozen Yogurt: For a slightly tangy and healthier option, use plain or vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt. It’s lighter and still creamy.
• Non-Dairy Ice Cream: If you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, opt for non-dairy ice cream made from almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.

Homemade Ice Cream Substitute: Blend frozen bananas with a splash of milk or non-dairy milk to create a creamy, banana-based ice cream alternative. The mild sweetness works perfectly in the recipe.

2. Instead of Whole Milk:

Non-Dairy Milk:

• Swap with almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk if you prefer a vegan or dairy-free option.
• Coconut milk adds indulgent richness, while almond or oat provides a neutral flavor.

Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half: For a richer texture, you can replace milk with heavy cream or half-and-half.

Evaporated Milk: For added creaminess, use evaporated milk as a substitute.

Substitutes for Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are the hero of the recipe, offering the signature flavor and texture. If you don’t have sugar cookies on hand, here are alternatives:

1. Instead of Sugar Cookies:

• Shortbread Cookies: Shortbread has a buttery flavor and soft texture that works beautifully as a substitute for sugar cookies.
• Butter Cookies: Butter cookies are slightly crisper but still have the sweet, buttery taste of sugar cookies. Crush them into smaller pieces before adding them to the Blizzard.
• Vanilla Wafers or Graham Crackers: If you’re looking for a less sweet option, vanilla wafers or graham crackers are great alternatives.
• Vegan or Gluten-Free Cookies: Vegan sugar cookies are available at many health food stores or can be made at home using non-dairy butter and a flaxseed egg substitute.

2. Instead of Frosted Sugar Cookies:

• Add Frosting Separately: If plain sugar cookies (unfrosted) are your only option, simply swirl in store-bought or homemade frosting during step 4 of the recipe.
• Coffee Cake or Soft Cake Pieces: Use coffee cake crumbs or small pieces of soft vanilla cake as a fun substitute.

Substitutes for Frosting

The frosting gives the Blizzard its rich, sugary depth, creating a cohesive sweetness. Here’s what you can use as a substitute:

1. Buttercream Alternatives:

• Whipped Cream Cheese: Use whipped cream cheese or sweetened cream cheese for a tangy, creamy alternative. Combine cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla for a similar frosting effect.
• Non-Dairy Buttercream: For a vegan option, use frosting made from vegan butter, powdered sugar, and almond or oat milk.
• Coconut Cream: Whip refrigerated coconut cream with powdered sugar for a decadent dairy-free alternative with a tropical twist.

2. No Frosting on Hand?

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Drizzle sweetened condensed milk into the mixture for added sweetness and richness if frosting isn’t available.
• White Chocolate Sauce: Melt white chocolate and drizzle it into the ice cream base for a similar flavor profile to frosting.

Substitutes for Sprinkles

Sprinkles are a festive addition, but you can substitute them with other small, colorful toppings if needed:

1. Alternative Decorative Toppings:

• Crushed Candy: Break up candy canes, peppermint bark, or hard candies into small pieces for added color and texture.
• Colored Sugar: Use sparkling colored sugar instead of sprinkles for a similar festive effect. You can even make your own by mixing granulated sugar with food coloring.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: If you love chocolate, toss in some mini chips or white chocolate for bursts of flavor.
• Dried Fruit Bits: Finely chopped dried cranberries, cherries, or apricots can add both color and a subtle fruity twist.

2. Non-Dairy/Allergen-Free Sprinkles:

• Many health food stores sell vegan, gluten-free, and dye-free sprinkles for those with dietary restrictions.

Final Thoughts

The Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard is a star dessert, but pairing it with warm drinks, complementary snacks, and festive sweets will turn your treat into a complete experience. 

More Cookie Recipes:

• Copycat Crumbl French Toast Cookie Recipe
• Halloween Confetti Milkshake Cookie Recipe
• Great American Cookies Cookie Cake Recipe