I remember the first time I tasted this mouthwatering Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard—you know, that moment when the flavors danced on your taste buds, creating a symphony of holiday bliss. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, the cool and creamy texture made it even more special. But did you know you can recreate this magical experience in the comfort of your own home?

How to make Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard

The Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard is a seasonal ice cream dessert. It consists of Dairy Queen’s soft-serve vanilla ice cream mixed with mini peppermint bark pieces, milk chocolate, and white chocolate, creating a creamy, minty, and chocolatey treat.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

Vanilla ice cream (softened) – 3-4 scoops (Use full-fat ice cream for a creamier texture. Dairy Queen uses a soft serve base, so softened ice cream works well!)
Milk – 2-3 tablespoons (use whole milk or your preferred dairy alternative for thinning out the ice cream slightly).

Mix-ins

Peppermint candies or candy canes – 2-3 candy canes (crushed into small pieces).
White chocolate chips – ¼ cup (chopped or melted slightly for a smoother mix-in).
Milk chocolate chips – ¼ cup (chopped or melted).
Peppermint extract (optional) – ¼ teaspoon for an extra burst of peppermint flavor.

Optional Garnishes

Crushed candy canes for topping
Whipped cream for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Crush the peppermint candies: Unwrap the candy canes or peppermint candies and place them in a zip-top bag. Use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy glass to crush them into small pieces (but be careful not to crush them into powder—you want some texture!).
Chop the chocolate: Use a knife to roughly chop the milk and white chocolate chips into smaller chunks if desired, or melt them slightly for blending into the ice cream.

Step 2: Make the Ice Cream Base

Place the softened vanilla ice cream into a mixing bowl or blender.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of milk to the bowl to loosen the ice cream slightly and achieve the right consistency.
If you’re a peppermint enthusiast, add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract for a more intense mint flavor.

Step 3: Blend the Mix-ins

Stir or pulse in the crushed peppermint candy pieces, white chocolate chunks, and milk chocolate chunks. You can use a blender, mixing spoon, or food processor—but don’t overmix! The goal is to combine everything evenly while keeping a chunky texture similar to Dairy Queen’s Blizzard consistency.

Step 4: Assemble Your Blizzard

Pour or scoop your blended mixture into a serving glass or bowl.
Top with extra crushed candy cane pieces, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate for garnish.

Tips for Success

Use Softened Ice Cream: To achieve the signature Blizzard texture, use softened vanilla ice cream instead of fully frozen ice cream. Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before blending.
Crushing Peppermint Candies Perfectly: If crushing candies feels tricky, try pulsing them in a food processor for quicker results. Just don’t overdo it, as larger pieces add the signature crunch to your Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard.
Experiment with Chocolate: Play around with the ratio of white and milk chocolate chunks. If you prefer one over the other, don’t hesitate to tailor the Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard recipe to your taste.
Healthy Alternatives: Suppose you’d like a lighter version, swap full-fat ice cream for frozen yogurt and use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. You can also try almond milk or oat milk in place of regular milk.
Serve Immediately: This Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard is best enjoyed right after making it to preserve the creamy texture and festive crunch. If you’re creating it ahead of time, store it in the freezer and re-mix briefly before serving.

What to serve with

The Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard is a festive, indulgent treat that stands out on its own, but pairing it with complementary dishes and beverages can elevate your holiday experience.

1. Pair It With Holiday Cookies

Combining the Blizzard with cookies creates a delightful dessert variety for your guests.

Gingerbread Cookies: The mildly spiced, warm flavors contrast beautifully with the minty coolness of the Blizzard.
Sugar Cookies: Classic sugar cookies can be decorated with festive frosting to match the Blizzard’s holiday vibes. Bonus: Serve peppermint-flavored sugar cookies for a perfect pairing!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: The rich, fudgy texture of chocolate crinkle cookies complements the peppermint bark and chocolate chip mix in the Blizzard.
Shortbread Cookies: Buttery, crumbly shortbread cookies are great for balancing the creamy richness of the Blizzard.

2. Serve It Alongside a Mug of Hot Beverages

Warm drinks and cold desserts make a cozy combination perfect for holiday gatherings. Try pairing the Blizzard with:

Hot Chocolate: Garnish the hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows, or even a candy cane stirrer for extra holiday flair. The creamy and chocolaty flavors are an excellent complement to the Blizzard’s peppermint bark.
Peppermint Mocha Coffee: For coffee lovers, peppermint mocha adds another layer of minty richness while balancing with a warm, caffeinated kick.
Spiced Apple Cider: The sweet and tangy notes of apple cider provide contrast against the Blizzard’s creamy sweetness and refreshing mint.
Green or Herbal Tea: If you prefer something light and subtle, a warm cup of mint tea or chamomile tea is a relaxing pairing for your dessert.

Ingredients Substitutes

Recreating the Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard at home is a treat anyone can enjoy, and what’s even better is how versatile the recipe is. Depending on your dietary needs, personal preferences, or the availability of ingredients, you can easily swap out certain items while still maintaining that creamy, festive, and indulgent flavor.

1. Substitute for Vanilla Ice Cream

The base of the Blizzard is soft, creamy vanilla ice cream, which is key for achieving the classic Dairy Queen texture. However, there are several alternatives you can use:

Soft Serve Mix: If you want an authentic Dairy Queen experience, you can simulate their soft serve texture by using a store-bought soft serve powder mix. Add milk, blend, and freeze slightly to achieve the same smooth texture.
Frozen Yogurt: For a lighter option, vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt works well and adds a slightly tangy flavor.
Non-Dairy Ice Cream: If you’re lactose-intolerant or on a vegan diet, opt for coconut, almond, or oat milk-based vanilla ice cream. Many non-dairy varieties are creamy and pair perfectly with other Blizzard ingredients.
Homemade Ice Cream: If you can’t find what you need in stores, try making a simple base using heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract.

2. Substitute for Milk

Milk is added to slightly loosen the ice cream for blending. If you’re out of milk or need a different option, try these substitutes:

Non-Dairy Milk: Almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk are great options for dairy-free versions. Coconut milk in particular adds a creamy and rich texture.
Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream: For an ultra-creamy version, replace milk with a splash of half-and-half or heavy whipping cream. Less is more because of the richness.
Evaporated Milk: This canned milk option is thicker than regular milk and adds a luxurious texture if you want a richer base.
Water: If you’re in a pinch and don’t have milk alternatives, you can thin the ice cream with water, but it may slightly reduce creaminess.

3. Substitute for Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies

Crushed candy canes give the Blizzard its signature crunch and peppermint flavor. Here are substitute ideas:

Peppermint Extract: Add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract to create a minty flavor if you don’t have candy canes on hand. You can also combine this with other mix-ins for texture.
Peppermint Bark: Replace crushed candy canes with store-bought peppermint bark. It includes both chocolate and peppermint pieces to enhance the flavor.
Andes Mint Chocolate Pieces: These soft, creamy mint chocolates can be chopped up as a substitute for candy canes and add a unique twist to the Blizzard.
Mint Chocolate Chips: These tiny flavored chips combine both chocolate and mint in every bite.
Mint-Flavored Hard Candies: If you can’t find candy canes, other mint-flavored hard candies will work as long as you crush them into small pieces.

4. Substitute for White Chocolate Chips

White chocolate chips contribute a creamy richness and sweetness to the Blizzard. If you’d like to substitute them, consider:

Dark or Milk Chocolate Chips: For a richer, less sweet option, swap in milk or dark chocolate chips. This also tones down the sweetness for those who prefer balance.
Vegan White Chocolate: If you’re avoiding dairy, look for vegan or dairy-free white chocolate chips, often made with cacao butter and non-dairy ingredients.
Caramel Chips: Add a buttery flavor by using caramel-flavored chips for a unique take.
Butterscotch Chips: These provide a similar creamy and sweet taste but with a twist.
Broken White Chocolate Bars: If you don’t have chips, you can chop up a white chocolate bar into pieces.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve made your own Dairy Queen Peppermint Bark Blizzard, you’ll notice how easy it is to swap ingredients to customize it to your liking.

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