Homemade Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard Recipe

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One Blizzard flavor that stands out above the rest is the Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard. With its decadent pieces of red velvet cake and luscious cream cheese frosting perfectly mixed into velvety smooth ice cream, it’s the kind of dessert that feels both indulgent and downright irresistible.

How to make Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard

Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard is a seasonal frozen dessert from Dairy Queen, usually offered for a limited time around Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients:

For the Blizzard Base:

• 2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream: Use premium-quality ice cream for the creamiest texture. For extra authenticity, you can soften the ice cream for about 5 minutes before starting.
• 2-3 tablespoons Milk: Helps thin the ice cream to achieve the soft-serve consistency Dairy Queen is known for.

For the Red Velvet Cake Pieces:

• 1 cup Red Velvet Cake: You can use homemade red velvet cake or store-bought. If you’re baking your own, a box of red velvet cake mix can work just as well. Chop into bite-sized chunks.
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (optional): Adding melted butter to the cake pieces for added flavor isn’t necessary, but it elevates the richness.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 2 ounces Cream Cheese (softened): This adds a velvety tang that’s essential to the Blizzard’s flavor.
• 1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and balances the cream cheese.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Enhances the frosting and ties everything together.
• 1 tablespoon Heavy Cream (optional): For a lighter, fluffier frosting consistency.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Frosting: In a small mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream (if using). Mix until the frosting is creamy and slightly thickened. Set aside in the fridge to chill.
2. Get the Ice Cream Base Ready: Scoop the vanilla ice cream into a large mixing bowl. Add 2-3 tablespoons of milk and stir until the ice cream reaches a softer, almost whipped consistency, similar to Dairy Queen’s iconic texture.
3. Add Red Velvet Cake Pieces: Take your pre-cut chunks of red velvet cake and gently fold them into the softened ice cream. Be careful not to smash the cake pieces; you want them to stay intact for texture.
4. Swirl in the Cream Cheese Frosting: Take spoonfuls of the chilled frosting and swirl it into the ice cream mixture. You can leave streaks of frosting for a burst of flavor or fully mix it in for a more uniform taste throughout.
5. Serve and Enjoy: Scoop your homemade Red Velvet Cake Blizzard into bowls or dessert cups. Garnish with a sprinkle of cake crumbs or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate for an extra festive touch!

Tips for Perfecting Your Blizzard:

• Balance Between Cake and Ice Cream: Be mindful of the ratio. Too much cake can overshadow the creamy base, and too little can leave your Blizzard feeling incomplete. Start light and adjust to taste.
• Chill the Ingredients: Keep your ice cream and frosting chilled until ready to mix. This helps ensure the Blizzard has the right texture.
• Additions: For a twist, fold in white chocolate chips or mini marshmallows for added texture and flavor.
• Use a Blender (Optional): If you prefer a smoother Blizzard, blend the ice cream, cake, and frosting in a high-speed blender until the mixture reaches the desired consistency.

What to serve with

The homemade Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard is indulgent and delightful on its own, but pairing it with complementary treats can elevate your dessert experience even further.

• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries complement the delicate cream cheese frosting. You can slice them and serve them alongside or even use them as garnish.
• Raspberries: Their tart flavor cuts through the sweetness and adds a nice contrast.
• Bananas: Slices of banana bring an additional note of creaminess to the Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard.
• Sugar Cookies: Their simple sweetness complements the red velvet and cream cheese frosting flavors.
• Shortbread Cookies: Buttery layers of shortbread add richness to the Blizzard.
• Chocolate Chip Cookies: Chocolate chips pair beautifully with the velvety red velvet.

Ingredient Substitutes

Creating the Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard at home can be incredibly fun, but you might not always have all the original ingredients on hand. Don’t worry—this recipe is flexible, and there are plenty of ingredient substitutes that work just as well without compromising flavor or texture!

1. Vanilla Ice Cream

Vanilla ice cream is the base of the Blizzard, providing richness and creaminess, but some alternatives can work just as well.

Substitutes:

• Frozen Yogurt: For a healthier twist, use vanilla frozen yogurt. It’s lower in fat while maintaining the creamy consistency.
• Dairy-Free Ice Cream: If you’re looking for vegan or dairy-free options, choose almond, coconut, or cashew-based vanilla ice cream. Most brands nowadays offer delicious plant-based versions.
• Homemade Soft Serve: Blend milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract together and freeze it to make a soft-serve-like base.

2. Milk

Milk helps achieve the soft-serve texture of the softened ice cream, but it can be easily swapped based on dietary preferences or availability.

Substitutes:

• Heavy Cream: For extra richness, replace milk entirely with heavy cream or half-and-half.
• Plant-Based Milks: Almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or soy milk can all be used for thinning the ice cream. Choose unsweetened versions to avoid over-sweetening the Blizzard.
• Evaporated Milk: If you’re looking to replicate the creaminess of the milk, evaporated milk works brilliantly.

3. Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake adds the sweet, signature flavor and texture to this Blizzard. If you don’t have it on hand, here are easy alternatives.

Substitutes:

• Chocolate Cake: Chocolate cake has a similar subtle cocoa flavor to red velvet. Add a few drops of red food coloring for a signature red tone.
• Vanilla Cake: Transform plain vanilla cake into red velvet by adding cocoa powder and food coloring to the crumbled cake pieces.
• Store-Bought Cupcakes: If you don’t want to bake a cake, grab red velvet or chocolate cupcakes, crumble them, and use them instead.
• Brownie Crumbles: Fudgy brownies offer a rich, decadent texture and flavor.

4. Cream Cheese Frosting

The tangy, luscious cream cheese frosting is one of the defining flavors of this Blizzard, but there are ways to tweak the recipe based on your taste or availability.

Substitutes:

• Mascarpone Cheese: Mascarpone has a milder flavor than cream cheese but offers the same creamy texture—perfect for blending into the Blizzard.
• Greek Yogurt: Use plain or vanilla Greek yogurt combined with powdered sugar and vanilla extract for a lighter substitute.
• Whipped Cream Cheese: Ready-made whipped cream cheese spreads are easy to mix in, and you don’t need to prepare frosting separately.
• Coconut Cream: For a dairy-free alternative, whip thick coconut cream with sugar and vanilla. It offers a subtle tropical flavor that can complement the red velvet.
• Store-Bought Frosting: If convenience is your priority, opt for ready-made cream cheese frosting from the grocery store.

5. Powdered Sugar

The powdered sugar used in the cream cheese frosting adds sweetness, but here are substitutes if you’re out of it.

Substitutes:

• Granulated Sugar: Blitz regular granulated sugar in a food processor to make homemade powdered sugar.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: For natural sweetness, mix a small amount into the cream cheese.
• Sugar-Free Sweeteners: If you’re cutting back on sugar, use erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit sweeteners as alternatives.

Final Thoughts

With these sides and pairings, you’ll not only enjoy the indulgent flavors of your Dairy Queen Red Velvet Cake Blizzard but also enhance the overall dessert experience for you, your friends, and your family. 

More Cake Recipes:

• Homemade Costco Cookie Bar Cake Recipe