There’s nothing quite like a frosty glass of Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate on a hot summer day. This recipe combines the cozy, rich flavor of hot chocolate with the refreshing chill of a frozen drink, making it the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers.
The best part? You don’t need to step out to Dairy Queen to enjoy this indulgence. With just a few pantry staples, a blender, and some ice, you can whip up this delightful drink right at home in minutes, like the Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfait.
If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate that creamy, chocolatey goodness, you’re in the right place. Today, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to make this Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe quickly, easily, and deliciously.
My Personal Experience With This Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
The first time I tried making this frozen hot chocolate, I was surprised at how easy it was. I always thought Dairy Queen had some secret magic behind their recipes, but it turns out that it’s all about the right combination of cocoa, milk, sugar, and-of course-ice.
When I blended everything together, the texture instantly reminded me of a chocolate smoothie, thick and creamy yet icy-cold. I topped it off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate flakes, and it truly looked like something straight out of a café.
Now, this recipe has become a go-to in my household. Whenever I crave something sweet but refreshing, I make a batch. Honestly, it tastes just as good-if not better-than the store-bought version.
Ingredients Required for Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
Gather all the following ingredients, before you start making this Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
Dry Mix:
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (Hershey’s or any brand)
- ⅓ cup whole milk powder (or any powdered milk)
- ⅓ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (just a pinch to balance flavors)
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk (or any milk of choice)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups ice (nugget or crushed ice works best)
For Topping:
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate flakes or syrup
Kitchen Utensils Required
- Blender
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Glasses for serving
Preparation & Cooking Time
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Blending Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Servings: 3–4 (12 oz glasses)
Copycat Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
Just follow this simple step by step guideline to make your homemade version of Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate in a delicious way.
1. Prepare the dry mix – In a medium bowl, combine ¼ cup cocoa powder, ⅓ cup milk powder, ⅓ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk well until everything is evenly blended. For a smoother mix, sift the ingredients before whisking.
2. Add ice to the blender – Place about 3 cups of nugget or crushed ice into a blender. Nugget ice is ideal because it blends quickly and gives the frozen hot chocolate its signature smooth texture.
3. Pour in milk and vanilla – Add 1 cup of whole milk (or your preferred milk) to the blender. Then, add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor.
4. Combine the dry mix – Pour the prepared cocoa mixture into the blender over the ice, milk, and vanilla. This ensures the flavors are evenly distributed when blending.
5. Blend until smooth – Blend everything together on high speed for about 1–2 minutes, or until the drink is thick, creamy, and smooth. The consistency should resemble a chocolate smoothie-icy yet rich.
6. Serve and garnish – Pour the frozen hot chocolate into glasses, top with whipped cream, and finish with chocolate flakes or a drizzle of syrup. Serve immediately with a straw or spoon and enjoy your homemade Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate!
Delicious Ways to Customize and Serve This Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate
Here are some Variations and Customizations ideas you can try to enjoy this Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate deliciously
1. With Extra Whipped Cream
I’ve learned that you can never have too much whipped cream. A tall swirl on top makes every sip feel like a mini celebration.
2. Drizzled with Chocolate Syrup
Sometimes, I drizzle Hershey’s syrup over the whipped cream, and it melts right into the drink-it looks fancy and tastes divine.
3. Topped with Chocolate Shavings
I like to grate a bit of dark chocolate on top or Dairy Queen Hot Fudge. The flakes melt slightly and give that café-style finish.
4. Served with Mini Marshmallows
Adding marshmallows makes it feel like a winter hot chocolate turned into a summer treat. My kids especially love this version.
5. With a Scoop of Ice Cream
On extra hot days, I drop a scoop of Dairy Queen Soft Serve Ice Cream inside-it turns the drink into a decadent float.
6. Dusted with Cinnamon or Cocoa
A little sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top adds a warm, comforting touch that balances the sweetness.
7. Paired with Cookies
I love sipping this frozen hot chocolate alongside homemade chocolate chip cookies. Dunking the cookies in the drink? Next level.
8. Layered with Caramel Sauce
If you’re a caramel lover like me, drizzling caramel inside the glass before pouring in the drink gives a gorgeous layered effect.
9. With Crushed Candy Canes
Around the holidays, I crush candy canes and sprinkle them on top. The peppermint crunch pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate.
10. Served in a Fancy Glass with a Straw
Honestly, sometimes presentation is everything. When I serve it in a tall glass with a colorful straw, it feels just like ordering from Dairy Queen itself.
Some Notable Tips and Tricks on This Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
Here are some tips and tricks you should follow when trying this recipe.
1. Use cold milk – Cold milk makes your drink creamier and keeps it nice and chilly.
2. Pick your cocoa – Hershey’s cocoa works great, but you can try any cocoa you love.
3. Add just a pinch of salt – A tiny bit of salt makes the chocolate taste even better.
4. Blend with nugget ice – Little ice chunks make the drink smooth and fun to sip.
5. Don’t rush the blend – Blend for a full minute so it gets thick and creamy.
6. Try chocolate syrup – Want it sweeter? Add a swirl of chocolate syrup before blending.
7. Use a strong blender – A good blender crushes ice faster and makes it smooth.
8. Top with whipped cream – It’s not just yummy, it makes it look like the real Dairy Queen drink.
9. Add sprinkles or flakes – Sprinkle on chocolate chips or flakes for extra fun.
10. Drink right away – This treat melts fast, so enjoy it as soon as it’s ready.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Properly?
If you have any leftover (hopefully you don’t have) you can process them properly as follows,
Frozen hot chocolate is best enjoyed fresh, as the ice will melt and change the texture. If you must store leftovers, keep them in the freezer for up to 2 hours and re-blend before serving.
Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a frosty glass of Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate on a hot summer day. This recipe combines the cozy, rich flavor of hot chocolate with the refreshing chill of a frozen drink, making it the ultimate treat for chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (Hershey’s or any brand)
- ⅓ cup whole milk powder (or any powdered milk)
- ⅓ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt (just a pinch to balance flavors)
- 1 cup whole milk (or any milk of choice)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups ice (nugget or crushed ice works best)
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate flakes or syrup
Instructions
1. Prepare the dry mix – In a medium bowl, combine ¼ cup cocoa powder, ⅓ cup milk powder, ⅓ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt. Whisk well until everything is evenly blended. For a smoother mix, sift the ingredients before whisking.
2. Add ice to the blender – Place about 3 cups of nugget or crushed ice into a blender. Nugget ice is ideal because it blends quickly and gives the frozen hot chocolate its signature smooth texture.
3. Pour in milk and vanilla – Add 1 cup of whole milk (or your preferred milk) to the blender. Then, add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor.
4. Combine the dry mix – Pour the prepared cocoa mixture into the blender over the ice, milk, and vanilla. This ensures the flavors are evenly distributed when blending.
5. Blend until smooth – Blend everything together on high speed for about 1–2 minutes, or until the drink is thick, creamy, and smooth. The consistency should resemble a chocolate smoothie-icy yet rich.
6. Serve and garnish – Pour the frozen hot chocolate into glasses, top with whipped cream, and finish with chocolate flakes or a drizzle of syrup. Serve immediately with a straw or spoon and enjoy your homemade Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate!
Notes
Frozen hot chocolate is best enjoyed fresh, as the ice will melt and change the texture. If you must store leftovers, keep them in the freezer for up to 2 hours and re-blend before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 630
FAQs on this Copycat Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
When you give this Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.
1. What is in Dairy Queen frozen hot chocolate?
From my experience making it at home, the drink is made with cocoa powder, milk powder, sugar, a little salt, milk, vanilla extract, and plenty of ice. The magic happens when everything blends together into a creamy, icy, chocolatey drink, then topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes.
2. How to do frozen hot chocolate?
It’s surprisingly easy! I just whisk the dry ingredients (cocoa, milk powder, sugar, salt), then toss them into a blender with milk, vanilla, and ice. Blend until smooth, and you’ve got a frosty chocolate treat ready in under 10 minutes.
3. Is frozen hot chocolate just a milkshake?
Not exactly. From making both, I’d say a milkshake is usually made with ice cream, while frozen hot chocolate is made with ice and a hot chocolate mix. It’s creamier than a slush but lighter than a milkshake-somewhere right in between.
4. How to eat frozen hot chocolate?
Honestly, I switch between a straw and a spoon! The texture is thick like a chocolate smoothie, so a spoon is great for scooping. But when it melts a little, a straw works perfectly.
5. Can I make frozen hot chocolate without a blender?
I’ve tried it before, and while it’s not as smooth, you can mix the ingredients with crushed ice in a food processor or even stir them into shaved ice. A blender definitely makes it creamier, though.
6. What kind of cocoa powder works best?
I usually use Hershey’s, but any unsweetened cocoa powder works. I’ve even tried Dutch-processed cocoa for a richer flavor, and it tasted amazing.
7. Can I use non-dairy milk for this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! I’ve made it with almond milk and oat milk, and both turned out really good. Just make sure to use a creamy variety for the best texture.
8. How sweet is frozen hot chocolate?
When I make it, I find it’s not overly sweet-it’s nicely balanced. You can always adjust the sugar to your taste. Sometimes I even add a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra indulgence.
9. Can I make frozen hot chocolate ahead of time?
It’s definitely best fresh, but I’ve stored leftovers in the freezer for about 1–2 hours. Before serving, I just re-blend it to bring back that smooth texture.
10. What toppings go well with frozen hot chocolate?
From my kitchen experiments, whipped cream and chocolate flakes are classic. But I’ve also tried crushed Oreos, caramel drizzle, and even mini marshmallows. They all take it up a notch!
This Dairy Queen Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe is the perfect way to enjoy a chocolatey, refreshing treat at home. It’s quick, simple, and budget-friendly-plus, it tastes just as good as the real deal.
If you try this recipe, let me know how it turned out in the comments below. Don’t forget to share it with fellow chocolate lovers, and save this post so you can whip it up again anytime the craving hits!
We’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you! Give it a try, then drop a comment below to share your thoughts and tips with us.
You can also follow us on Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious updates and kitchen inspiration. Your feedback and support mean the world to us!