Why did Wendy’s stop vanilla Frostys?

Wendy’s temporarily removed the vanilla Frosty from many locations in 2022 to introduce seasonal flavors like strawberry. It was a menu shift—not a discontinuation. The vanilla version remains popular and often rotates back in depending on the season or promotion. If you're missing it, this homemade Wendy’s copycat vanilla Frosty recipe is your year-round solution.

How to make Frosty at home with condensed milk?

This recipe uses fat-free sweetened condensed milk to mimic the creamy sweetness of a real Frosty. Just blend 1/4 cup of it with milk, powdered vanilla coffee creamer, and frozen Cool Whip for a light, smooth finish. It’s simple, no-fuss, and doesn’t require an ice cream machine.

Does Wendy’s use real ice cream in their Frosty’s?

Technically, no. Wendy’s Frosties are a blend of milk, sugar, and cream, but they don’t meet the FDA’s official definition of “ice cream” due to their lower butterfat content. That’s what gives them that signature soft, spoonable texture that falls somewhere between a milkshake and soft serve.

Is Wendy’s Frosty ice cream or custard?

It’s neither, really. While custard includes egg yolks and a richer base, the Wendy’s Frosty is a hybrid of dairy-based ingredients, thickened and aerated to keep it lighter than custard but denser than a shake. Our homemade Frosty follows that same logic for an authentic feel. And if you’re exploring more frozen flavors, don’t miss the bright and creamy triple berry Frosty or the fun flavor guide in our Frosty Flavors roundup .

Wendy’s Copycat Vanilla Frosty Recipe: Creamy, Cold, and Easy

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup fat-free (or 1%) milk

1/4 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk

2 teaspoons sugar-free vanilla powdered coffee creamer

1 tub (16 oz) Cool Whip Free, frozen

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Instructions

1. Place the milk, sweetened condensed milk, powdered creamer, and frozen Cool Whip into a blender.

2. Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until smooth and creamy.

3. Divide the mixture into two tall glasses or mason jars.

4. Freeze for 30–60 minutes, depending on your desired consistency.

5. Serve immediately or store leftovers in the freezer for later.

6. Thaw in the fridge for 15–20 minutes before serving again.

Notes

Make sure your Cool Whip is completely frozen before blending.

For a thicker Frosty, freeze for at least 60 minutes.

This recipe is easily doubled—perfect for parties or batch prep.

Author: EmilyFrost
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Method: Blender
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 Frosty
Calories: 160
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg