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The Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard captures the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and indulgence.
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How to make a Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard
The Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard is a limited-time frozen dessert that puts a cake-inspired spin on the classic Blizzard.
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream or soft serve
- 1 cup red velvet cake, crumbled
- 2–3 tablespoons cream cheese frosting
- Whipped cream for garnish
- Red velvet cake crumbs or sprinkles for an extra pop
Instructions
- Prepare the Red Velvet Cake: If you’re using homemade red velvet cake, make sure it’s completely cooled before crumbling. Cut the cake into cubes or small crumbles for easy blending.
- Blend the Ice Cream Base: In a large mixing bowl, slightly soften the vanilla ice cream (leave it out at room temperature for about 5 minutes). This makes blending easier. Add the Red Velvet Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting
- Gently fold the red velvet cake crumbles and cream cheese frosting into the softened ice cream. Mix until combined but leave some larger pieces of cake intact for that classic Blizzard texture.
- Optional: If you prefer a smoother Blizzard, transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse for a few seconds. Be careful not to over-blend, as you don’t want the cake to completely dissolve into the ice cream.
- Freeze Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe bowl and let it chill for about 15–20 minutes to firm up slightly before serving.
- Serve and Garnish Scoop the Blizzard into serving cups. Top with whipped cream, additional red velvet cake crumbles, or sprinkles for an extra festive look.
Tips for the Perfect Homemade Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard
- Choose the Right Ice Cream: For the closest match to Dairy Queen’s creamy soft serve, opt for premium vanilla ice cream, or make soft serve at home with a whipped ice cream recipe.
- Don’t Over-Mix: Blending too much can break down the texture of the cake. For the best Blizzard experience, fold the cake pieces in gently to keep the mix chunky and indulgent.
- Customize the Sweetness: If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of cream cheese frosting or use a lightly sweetened red velvet recipe.
- Add Extra Mix-Ins: Dairy Queen loves adding a twist, so experiment! Try adding white chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, or even a drizzle of raspberry sauce for an upgraded flavor.
- Serve Fresh: Enjoy your Blizzard immediately after freezing to capture the best texture. It’s a dessert meant to be eaten cold and creamy!
What to serve with
The Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard is a rich and indulgent dessert on its own, but pairing it with complementary food or drinks can take the experience to a whole new level.
- Fresh Berries: Serve a bowl of fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries alongside your Blizzard. The bright, tart notes of berries complement the sweet and creamy profile of the dessert.
- Mini Cheesecakes: Pair the Blizzard with bite-sized cheesecakes for a complementary tangy treat. Consider topping the cheesecakes with a dollop of red velvet cake crumble for continuity in flavors.
- Pretzel Bites: Salty pretzels with a side of cheese dip provide a fun contrast to the sweet, creamy Blizzard. The saltiness balances the dessert’s sweetness beautifully.
- Popcorn: Serve lightly salted or caramel popcorn as a crunchy snack. The toasty, delicate flavor of popcorn pairs wonderfully with the Blizzard’s creaminess.
- Cheese Platter: A small platter of mild cheeses, such as Brie or Gouda, paired with crackers, adds sophisticated variety to your dessert table. Maybe sprinkle in a few candied pecans for a bit of sweetness synergy!
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating a copycat Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard at home is not only fun but also highly customizable.
1. Vanilla Ice Cream / Soft Serve
The classic Blizzard base is a rich and creamy vanilla soft serve. If you don’t have store-bought ice cream or need an alternative, here are some substitute ideas:
- Homemade Soft Serve: Blend frozen vanilla yogurt or frozen bananas with a bit of milk and honey until smooth and creamy. This is a lighter, healthier alternative to traditional ice cream.
- Vegan or Dairy-Free Options: Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream made from almond, coconut, or cashew milk. Brands like So Delicious or Oatly have creamy options perfect for this recipe.
- Sugar-Free Option: Go for a low-sugar or sugar-free vanilla ice cream if you’re watching your sugar intake. Brands like Halo Top or Enlightened offer options that still taste amazing.
- Whipped Coconut Cream: Blend full-fat coconut milk (that’s been chilled overnight to solidify) with a sweetener like maple syrup or vanilla extract for a creamy, non-dairy ice cream base. Chilling the mixture for 20 minutes before mixing in the add-ins will give you a Blizzard-like texture.
2. Red Velvet Cake
The sweet, velvety flavor of red velvet cake is the star ingredient in this Blizzard. If you’re craving the treat but don’t have access to red velvet cake—or need to switch things up—try these alternatives:
- Chocolate Cake Base: Red velvet cake is essentially a cocoa-based cake with a mild chocolate flavor. Regular chocolate cake (crumbled) works just as well, especially if you’re not concerned about the signature red color.
- Beetroot Cake / Beet Puree: Traditionally, red velvet cake’s red color was once derived from beet juice or puree. If you want a natural and slightly healthier alternative, go with a beetroot-based cake or mix in small amounts of unsweetened beet puree for color and texture.
- Gluten-Free Cake Mix: Use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix or bake a gluten-free chocolate cake, crumbling it into your Blizzard. Many store-bought mixes also keep the signature red color.
- Pre-Made Cookies or Brownies: If you’re in a hurry, red velvet cookies or cocoa-infused brownies are a shortcut to achieving the same rich flavor.
3. Cream Cheese Frosting
The tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting is another key element in the Blizzard. However, there are plenty of ways to substitute this creamy add-in:
- Greek Yogurt (for a Healthier Version): Swap cream cheese frosting for plain or vanilla Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of honey or powdered sugar. It’s tangy, creamy, and lower in calories while still mimicking the original flavor.
- Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting: Use a plant-based cream cheese (such as Kite Hill or Tofutti) and mix it with powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract for a dairy-free frosting.
- Mascarpone Cheese: Mascarpone offers a similar rich and creamy consistency. Sweeten it with powdered sugar and use it as a substitute for cream cheese frosting.
- Whipped Topping: Replace the frosting with whipped topping or whipped cream to give your Blizzard a lighter texture while maintaining creaminess.
- Coconut Cream Frosting: Whip full-fat coconut milk (separated from its water) with powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla for a dairy-free frosting alternative that still captures the sweetness.
Final Thoughts
The Dairy Queen Red Velvet Blizzard pairs beautifully with light desserts, savory bites, warm drinks, or complementary brunch items. The contrast between salty, tangy, or fruity flavors and the rich, creamy Blizzard makes the overall dining experience much more dynamic.
More Ice Cream Recipes:
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup red velvet cake, crumbled
- 2–3 tablespoons cream cheese frosting
- Whipped cream for garnish
- Red velvet cake crumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Red Velvet Cake: If you’re using homemade red velvet cake, make sure it’s completely cooled before crumbling. Cut the cake into cubes or small crumbles for easy blending.
- Blend the Ice Cream Base: In a large mixing bowl, slightly soften the vanilla ice cream (leave it out at room temperature for about 5 minutes). This makes blending easier. Add the Red Velvet Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting
- Gently fold the red velvet cake crumbles and cream cheese frosting into the softened ice cream. Mix until combined but leave some larger pieces of cake intact for that classic Blizzard texture.
- Optional: If you prefer a smoother Blizzard, transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse for a few seconds. Be careful not to over-blend, as you don’t want the cake to completely dissolve into the ice cream.
- Freeze Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe bowl and let it chill for about 15–20 minutes to firm up slightly before serving.
- Serve and Garnish Scoop the Blizzard into serving cups. Top with whipped cream, additional red velvet cake crumbles, or sprinkles for an extra festive look.
