
Growing up, I used to have a thing for Dairy Queen Blizzards. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Blizzards, in particular, were my go-to indulgence during the summer when I needed something cold and creamy, especially after hours of running around at softball practice. It also helped that my sister used to work there and she would give me extra scoops of cookie dough when I came in. ;)
Love that.

Yesterday, I found myself with an insatiable craving for a cookie dough blizzard. It must have been the tropical weather we were experiencing (11 Celsius and sunny- I’ll take it!) and the fact that I had just come back from a 6 mile run. The only thing on my mind was COLD!

Let’s first take a look at the ingredients in the Dairy Queen Cookie Dough Blizzard.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Unenriched Wheat Flour, Sugar, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Soybean Oil, Mono- and Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor[Milk], Colored with Annatto, Calcium Disodium EDTA added as a preservative, Vitamin A Palmitate added), Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla), Powdered Sugar (Sugar, Corn Starch), Butter (Cream, Salt), Pasteurized Eggs, Brown Sugar, Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt.
Dairy Queen Vanilla Soft Serve: Milkfat and nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, whey, mono and diglycerides, artificial flavor, guar gum, polysorbate 80, carrageenan, and vitamin A palmitate.
Fudge: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk (Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup), Partially Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Water, Fructose, Cocoa processed with Alkali, Cocoa, Sodium Alginate (Algin, Dextrin, Sodium Phosphate), Salt, Mono & Diglycerides (Vegetable), Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Soy Lecithin, Disodium Phosphate, Artificial & Natural Flavors..
Admittedly, I wasn’t really craving one after reading that crazy list, but I figured that I could make a homemade version using natural ingredients from my kitchen.
This recipe was inspired by the banana soft serve with cookie dough pieces that I made a lot last summer.


The first thing I did was make a batch of cookie dough. This is my third cookie dough recipe, adapted from Chocolate Dipped Cookie Dough Balls and my Raw Cookie Dough Balls.
Cookie Dough Balls III
Yield: 1 cup packed cookie dough
Adapted from
- 1/2 cup unsalted cashews
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (other flours may work)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1.5 tbsp natural cane sugar
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3-4 tbsp pure maple syrup (or a bit more if dough is too dry)
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions: In a food processor, add the cashews and oats and process until it forms a fine crumble. Now add in the salt, sugar, and flour and process for a few seconds more. Add in the maple syrup and vanilla and process until combined. It will be sticky, but this is normal! Add in your chocolate chips and stir by hand or process. Form into balls. Store in freezer.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ‘Blizzard’
Yield: 2 servings
- 3 peeled and frozen bananas, cut into 1 inch chunks for easier processing
- Splash of non-dairy milk (if needed)
- 2 tbsp cookie dough (from above)
Directions: In a large food processor, add in your 3 frozen bananas. I like to cut my bananas into 1 inch chunks before freezing. Process bananas, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Finally, add in your cookie dough and process until combined. You should have a soft serve type consistency when done. To make the blizzard simply stir in your desired amount of mini cookie dough balls, pour into a glass, and serve with a spoon. Makes 2 servings.

This was pretty awesome, not going to lie. :) We will be making this a lot this summer, I can tell.

In case you missed it yesterday, the 3 winner’s of the giveaway are now posted! Thank you everyone for your generous donations.
Happy Friday! ![]()







{ 190 comments… read them below or add one }
I used to love Dairy Queen blizzards….but after I became more health conscious and found out the ingredients they lost there attraction! But now I can have a healthy and delicious substitute! YUM! Can’t wait to try it…..my fave blizzard flavors were oreo and peanut butter cup! Maybe you could come up with a variation for those too :)!
this seriously looks amazing!! i have everything on hand except for the cashews. do you think walnuts, almonds or pecans would work? of course i have every other kind of nut on hand!!
Who needs DQ when you got this! Wow! I’m super impressed Ange :)
That looks really good! I love McDonalds McFlurry but I haven’t had one in so long. I like that they have the mini sizes now which is actually a perfect size it seems. I wish I had a food processor to try out all your delicious recipes.
I ate a blizzard just the other day. Wish I would of gone this route though. So much healthier!
Angela, I LOVED Blizzards growing up. It was the Heath Bar Blizzard that had my name all over it. I was really horribly dairy intolerant then and didnt know why I’d end up in pain for day(s) after eating one, but I kept eating them anyway b/c they were so good :)
Havent had a Blizzard in about 15-20 years I’d say but gosh, your version makes me just want to get busy Blizzard making at home!
The cookie dough recipe looks wonderful! That’s how I make my cookie dough. i just made some white chocolate & mango cookie dough bites. I used my “base” cookie dough recipe which I never include dates or coconut oil in it; just cashews, oats, vanilla, agave. Super simple and it works every time. I am going to try your version next!
:)
I ate my fair share of DQ Blizzards back in the day. My children and husband are going to love you after they get a taste of this awesome concoction!
I JUST had a DQ blizzard the other day.. and now I have a healthier alternative! Thank you!
That looks AMAZING! I ran an awesome 6 miles today in beautiful central park, it’s 70 degrees in NYC today! Enjoy the rest of your gorgeous day! :)
I want one of these NOW! I haven’t made banana soft serve in far too long. Luckily, I just froze a bunch of ripe bananas this morning!
Now I am craving a blizzard. Thanks for sharing another great recipe.
seriously, this looks like real ice cream! and i’m sure it tastes like it, too! perfect for a hot day here in new Zealand!
I completely forgot about my love for DQ Blizzards back in the day, until this post reminded me. This look SO good! I will absolutely be trying this very soon.
I second the recommendation to do an Oreo version!
This sounds amazing! I added to my links in my weekend reading material. It’s saved in my reader as a post-running treat for when the weather warms up.
You are a GENIUS!!! Thank You!
Ok this is too funny… my boyfriend and I literally talked about these cookie dough blizzards for about an HOUR last night! I know what I’m making today!!! :)
ANGELA! This looks INSANE!!!
When I opened your blog and saw that beautiful picture of a cookie dough blizzard I could not contain my excitement. AMAZING. I am making this for sure! I worked at DQ and ate wayyyyy more than my fair share of processed cookie dough crap …but a vegan, semi-raw, “clean” blizzard? Yes, please!
I used to work at DQ and I’d make this Blizzard all the time for myself! The original recipe also has hot fudge in there, but I liked to replace it with butterscotch sauce, yum! I think your version sounds absolutely divine and I will be making it this summer!
I was a huge fan of blizzards growing up. My sister and I used to ride our bikes to DQ every Saturday afternoon. She would have the Reese’s pieces blizzard and I would have strawberry oreo. I loved that strawberry oreo combination.
This looks so great! I can’t wait for summer. All the snow is melting in Airdrie and the birds are out… eeee!
I just made these cookie dough balls and they taste JUST like the real thing! And I was skeptical… I’d say they’re better than the real thing. YUM! :D thank you
This looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! that looks better than a blizzard lol
OMG those look amazing, conveniently I have almond butter cookie dough balls im thinking they might be really good in some soft serve!
Oh my. I just made the cookie dough balls for my kids which they love and feel like it is soo cool that their mom lets them eat cookie dough. Little did I know that I am going to get to have the above blizzard as well. Thank you, thank you.
The blizzard looks amazing! You’ve got me craving cookie dough. Unfortunately I have an allergy to cashews, so this recipe is a no-go. Do you have a suggestion for an alternative that I could use for the cookie dough recipe? Do you think another nut would work as well? Thanks!
I think a commenter above mentioned using almonds :)
Ohhhh maiii gawwwd…you are killing me!! It has been a balmy 64 degrees F and sunny. I have been craving frozen deliciousness and this will hit the spot. Thank you girl!!
I was craving a blizzard on Wednesday. I must say that this looks 150% better than DQ. Cannot wait to give it a whirl! No pun intended.. >_>
What a crazy list of ingredients! I don’t know who in their right mind would actually want to eat a ‘real’ blizzard if they knew what was in it!
There is always a better way to remake a “return to childhood” favorite treat! ;)
I could never have DQ because of my allergies, but I loved McFlurries! This looks like the perfect replacement for them this summer! :D
Love this!
I always used to get Dairy Queen blizzards after my rugby games/pratices
in high school. My go-to flavor was always mint oreo.
Yep, this looks freaking amazing! I can’t wait to play around with some other flavors!
oh boy, how scary are the ingredients in the dq blizzard. wow
Wow. I think the cookie dough pieces look the best, yum.
I loved blizzards growing up too, but eeeks! to that ingredient list. Your alternative is much better…bookmarking this for a summer treat for sure. Thank you, thank you! :)
So gobsmacked. So swooning with desire. So going to make cookie dough RIGHT NOW.
Sounds so yummy! This is an amazing idea.
I am definately making this. Katie from Chocolate Covered Katie has been making similar milkshakes too. So I am definately craving some blended goodness
I am considering making this right now for dessert. I just have to convince myself that it will be worth having to wash the food processor. Oh lazy days!
This is the best blog recipe I’ve seen all week! Amazing :)