This homemade sugar cookie ice cream tastes like a classic Dairy Queen Blizzard and will be your new dessert obsession! Creamy vanilla ice cream is loaded with bits of sugar cookie dough. Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, you’d never guess this healthier ice cream can be made dairy-free, is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and grain-free!
I feel like everyone had that one special treat their parents would let them get every week – or maybe even a few times during the weekend ;). For us, it was always Dairy Queen and I ALWAYS chose a blizzard of some sort. There’s literally nothing better than creamy ice cream packed with a ton of mix-ins like cookies, brownies, hot fudge, peanut butter.. you name it!
Unfortunately, Dairy Queen doesn’t have any dairy-free options so I set out to make my own. I’ve made them for years now, with an ice cream machine or in my Ninja Creami, but you can also make them without any fancy equipment!
There are SO many Blizzard flavors out there (I especially love seeing the fun holiday flavors) and when I saw their new Sugar Cookie Blizzard being advertised, I literally ran to the kitchen to prep some ice cream. This recipe is totally customizable and is dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free and paleo-friendly! The ice cream is incredibly creamy and luscious and don’t get me started on the sugar cookie dough balls. Almond flour, maple syrup, and cashew butter come together to create little no-bake, doughy bites of heaven! The sprinkles are for fun 😉 Let’s make some homemade, healthier ice cream!
What is a dairy queen blizzard?
A Dairy Queen Blizzard is a frozen treat made by blending Dairy Queen’s soft serve with mix-ins like cookie pieces, candy, or sundae toppings! They are known for being SUPER thick and creamy! It has been a staple on the menu since its introduction in 1985, a year in which Dairy Queen sold more than 100 million Blizzards – WILD. They are definitely an indulgent treat and are loaded with sugar, so I set out to make them at home but I was determined to make a version that is JUST as tasty while being a lot more nutritious.
Sugar cookie ice cream recipe video
Why you’ll love this healthy ice cream
- Easy: Coming together in a blender and frozen, this healthy blizzard couldn’t be easier to make!
- Customizable: This ice cream is super customizable so you can change the mix-in’s, flavors, etc!
- Wholesome: Lower in sugar, packed with protein, and healthy ingredients, you’ll enjoy the indulgence of a Dairy Queen Blizzard without the sugar crash!
- 3 methods to make it: You can use a Ninja Creami or ice cream maker to make this ice cream, however you can also make it without any equipment but a blender!
- High protein: This makes a great high protein snack or desset!
How to make sugar cookie dough blizzard
Full recipe and measurements will be in the recipe card below!
equipment
- Blender: I like to use Beast Blender!
- Ninja creami or ice cream machine
ingredients
Ice cream
- Milk: Canned coconut milk creates the creamiest texture, but any plant-based or regular milk will work. The thicker, the better! I also love using cashew milk.
- Coconut yogurt or greek yogurt: again, the thicker the better! I like the brands CocoJune and Culina for coconut yogurt options.
- Vanilla protein powder: Use your favorite flavor/brand! I sometimes use Macro Mike’s birthday cake protein or vanilla buttercream – it adds an amazing flavor and a little sweetness without adding extra sugar!
- Cashew butter: Cashew butter adds a cake-like flavor to the ice cream while also thickening it up and making it creamy!
- Maple syrup or honey: You can also use monk fruit for a sugar-free option!
- Vanilla extract, almond extract, sea salt
Sugar cookie dough balls
- Almond flour: Tiger nut flour works as a great 1:1 option!
- Protein powder: You can omit the protein powder and use all almond flour!
- Cashew butter: You can also use almond butter!
- Maple syrup or honey
- Vanilla extract, sea salt
steps to make sugar cookie blizzard
There are three different methods you can use to make healthy pumpkin ice cream! You can use an ice cream maker or machine, but you can also make it without an ice cream maker!
- Option 1: Ninja Creami – Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. Pour the ice cream into your Ninja Creami pint. Place the lid on top and freeze overnight or all day.When ready to make, let the pint sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Then place it on your machine. Run it for the first round on the “Lite ice cream” setting. Use the “re-mix” button and let it go another round. You can add in the cookie dough pieces and sprinkles with the “mix-in” option afterwards. I like to fold a few cookie dough balls in before eating so they stay whole!
- Option 2: Ice cream maker – Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. When you’re ready to make the ice cream, add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. Turn your ice cream maker on and pour the ice cream into the machine as it’s on (or according to your ice cream makers instructions). Let the machine work it’s magic. Once thickened, toss in the mix-in’s of choice and let it run another minute or so to thoroughly mix them in. Enjoy!
- Option 3: Blend, freeze, blend method – Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. When ready to make, add the cubes to a Vitamix or high-powered blender or food processor, blending a few minutes until super thick and creamy. You’ll need to stop and scrape down the sides as needed. If yours will not blend, add a splash of milk, but be careful as this can make it more of a smoothie if you add too much! Store leftovers in an ice cream pint or container in the freezer. Let it thaw 10 minutes or so prior to enjoying. Once creamy, add to a bowl and mix in your favorite mix-ins!
Can I just use store-bought ice cream?
For sure! This will save you time and you can make the blizzard right when you want it. However, most store-bought ice creams are packed with sugar, so this homemade version is a great healthier option!
Expert tips
- Allow the ice cream mixture to freeze long enough! Not allowing it to freeze will lead to a liquidy ice cream.
- This ice cream is best enjoyed straight away, however if you save leftovers, store in the freezer in an air-tight container. Before enjoying, let it thaw for 10 minutes or so at room temp to create the creamiest ice cream-like texture.
More healthy desserts to try
- Homemade ice cream sandwiches
- Vegan pumpkin ice cream
- Vegan Snickers ice cream cake
- Vegan pistachio ice cream
- Strawberry shortcake ice cream bars
- Healthy cookie dough ice cream/frozen yogurt
- Healthy blueberry crisp ice cream
If you try this recipe and love, it’d mean the world to me if you left a star rating & review below! Tag me in your remakes on instagram @danishealthyeats – I LOVE to see them!
Sugar Cookie Ice Cream
Ingredients
Ice cream
- 1 cup full-fat or lite canned coconut milk *or THICK plant-based milk
- 1/2 cup coconut yogurt or greek yogurt (I like vanilla, unsweetened)
- 1 scoop of your favorite vanilla, caramel, or similar protein powder *I like Macro Mike – so delicious! Linking it in the notes!
- 2 tbsp cashew butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8-/4 tsp almond extract
- good pinch of sea salt
Sugar cookie dough bites
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder *Can use more almond flour
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 2 tbsp runny cashew butter
- 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract & pinch of sea salt
- 2-3 tsp milk, of choice, if needed
- Sprinkles, to taste
Instructions
- To make the dough balls, combine everything together in a bowl, adding milk only if needed. The cookie dough should not be dry, but should not be overly sticky either you should easily be able to roll it into balls. Place the balls in the freezer while you make your ice cream (like right before eating it). You will fold them and sprinkles into the ice cream once it’s done!
Ninja creami method
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. Taste & adjust the spice & sweetness as needed. Pour the ice cream into your Ninja Creami pint. Place the lid on top and freeze overnight or all day.
- When ready to make, let the pint sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Then place it on your machine. Run it for the first round on the "Lite ice cream" setting. Use the "re-mix" button and let it go another round. You can add in chopped pecans, white chocolate chips, or whatever you'd like with the "mix-in" option afterwards. Enjoy!
Ice cream maker method
- The night before, place the bowl of the ice cream maker in the freezer.When you're ready to make the ice cream, add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. Taste & adjust the spice & sweetness as needed.
- Turn your ice cream maker on and pour the ice cream into the machine as it's on (or according to your ice cream makers instructions). Let the machine work it's magic. Once it's thickened, you can toss in your mix-in's of choice and let it run another minute or so to thoroughly mix them in. Enjoy!
- Store leftovers in an ice cream pint or container in the freezer. Let it thaw 10 minutes or so prior to enjoying.
Blend, freeze, blend method
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for a minute or two until completely smooth. Taste & adjust the spice & sweetness as needed. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray, then place the tray in the freezer over-night or all day.
- When ready to make, add the cubes to a Vitamix or high-powered blender or food processor, blending a few minutes until super thick and creamy. You'll need to stop and scrape down the sides as needed. If yours will not blend, add a splash of milk, but be careful as this can make it more of a smoothie if you add too much!
- Store leftovers in an ice cream pint or container in the freezer. Let it thaw 10 minutes or so prior to enjoying.Once creamy, add to a bowl and mix in your favorite mix-ins! Store leftovers in an ice cream pint or container in the freezer. Let it thaw 10 minutes or so prior to enjoying.
