Learn how to make a chocolate keto frosty low carb shake at home. This thick milkshake tastes just like one from Wendy's but without all the sugar and carbs!
Article Index
I used to love grabbing a chocolate frosty from Wendy's as a quick snack. But after ditching carbs, this was no longer an option.
That's why I created my own keto frosty recipe. It's a quick and easy way to make the thick frozen low carb milkshake.
You will not be disappointed with this treat! The consistency is similar to soft serve ice cream.
Keto Frosty Ingredients
There's only five simple ingredients needed to make a thick milkshake. You probably already have them in your kitchen.
I use heavy whipping cream and unsweetened almond milk as the creamy base. Vanilla extract, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a low-carb sweetener is used for the flavor.
For dairy-free, you can easily substitute the cream with a non-dairy heavy cream alternative.
Low-Carb Shake Recipe Steps
It only takes about ten minutes of prep time to make the shake. But you'll need to allow about 2 to 3 hours of freezing time.
Just follow these simple steps:
- Whip heavy whipping cream to soft peaks.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and beat until stiffer peaks form.
- Freeze and stir every 20 minutes or so with a fork.
- Remove from freezer and enjoy once soft serve consistency is reached.
That's all there is to making your own low-carb keto chocolate frosty!
Keto Wendy's Frosty Variations
Feel free to tweak the sweetener amount to suit your taste. I feel the shake has the perfect sweetness for me, but others may want it more or less sweet.
Although I do own an ice cream maker, I chose not to use it for this recipe. However, you can churn the mixture in your machine as it will be much easier.
If you want to make a vanilla Frosty instead, up the vanilla extract to ¼ to ½ teaspoon and omit the cocoa powder. You can also add in some vanilla bean.
Other flavors are also possible by using keto-friendly syrups or flavor extracts!
Frequently Asked Questions
A Frosty is a frozen treat sold by the fast food chain Wendy's. It comes in chocolate or vanilla and is a cross between soft-serve ice cream and a milkshake.
A Wendy's Frosty junior size has about 33g of carbs. But my keto friendly version has less than 5g net carbs for a similar size serving.
My original recipe used Truvia. But about 2 tablespoons of a low-carb granulated sweetener like Lakanto Classic White works well too.
The recipe has been tested using a hand mixer, blender, and ice cream maker. Any of these provide a soft serve consistency after stirring and freezing.
If you are unable to reach stiff peaks after adding the cocoa powder and sweetener, it's fine. Just make sure enough air has been incorporated before freezing.
Storing Leftovers
The recipe makes a single one cup serving so there shouldn't be any leftovers. But if you can't finish it, it can be place in the freezer for later.
Freezing more than a few hours isn't recommended as ice crystals can form easily. The best soft-serve texture is achieved with the initial freezing so the keto frosty should be enjoyed immediately.
If you do keep the mixture in the freezer for more than a couple hours, it will freeze very hard. Therefore, you'll want to let it sit out at room temperature to thaw out a bit before eating.
Other Recipes To Try
For those who want to try a few more low carb shakes, check out these recipes too:
- My Keto Milkshake combines chocolate and peanut butter in a tasty treat that whips up in only a minute.
- Keto Shamrock Shake is an easy way to enjoy the popular St. Patrick's Day McDonald's minty drink all year long.
- Greek Yogurt Protein Shake blends strawberries and protein powder into a smooth and cream drink.
- Keto Green Smoothie is a delicious thick drink made with avocado that adds mint, cilantro, and lime flavors.
- Keto Coffee Shake whips up quickly with low-carb ice cream and instant espresso powder.
For some other great options, take a look at the collection of low carb smoothies I put together. And, if you are looking for something dairy-free, check out my chocolate avocado ice cream.
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Keto Frosty Chocolate Shake
Video
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
- ⅛ teaspoon sugar-free vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Truvia or 2 tablespoons equivalent sugar substitute
Instructions
- Start whipping cream with mixer until soft peaks form.
- Slowly add remaining ingredients.
- Continue beating until stiffer peaks form.
- Put mixture in freezer.
- After 20 minutes, remove from freezer and stir with fork to break up frozen areas around edges.
- Keep checking mix every 20 minutes and stir until it’s cold enough and the right consistency.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First Published: June 28, 2011... Last Updated: October 2, 2020, with new photos and additional recipe information.
Joyce K
Wow, this tastes EXACTLY like I remember a Frosty tasting! Makes for a special snack for my honey and me in the evening of a very hot day. It was so DEE-LISH and really hit the spot. Easy to throw together and the taste is spot-on! YUMMMM!!!! Thank you so much!!!
Anonymous
I would have loved to have the measurements for this recipe...
Sonja
instead of almond milk do you think I could use water and it would turn out okay?
Tear
Yummy! I make my own Matcha smoothie. Fill blender glass with ice 3/4 up. Add teaspoon matcha powder, sweetener to taste, and the tea is bitter so add enough. Fill with milk of your choice, I like almond. Add a heaping teaspoon of powder milk. Blend.
Linda Smith
Can you substitute half & half for the heavy cream? Have some I want to use up... love Frostys!
Lisa MarcAurele
You can but half and half doesn't whip up as well as heavy cream.
Elisha Gabriell
Years ago, Wendy's Frosty actually had lots of chocolate in it. These days, it's hard to tell the Chocolate from the Vanilla by looking at it! Real chocolate is expensive for fast food drive-ins, so they barely put any in. I love homemade- you can put as much real chocolate or cocoa in your own shake! Yum!
Lisa MarcAurele
Good point! I did think they looked lighter these days.
Shellisa
I made this and loved it! It was easy to make, the hardest part was waiting for it to freeze up a bit lol. To me it taste just like chocolate ice cream. I will definitely be making it again. Thanks!
Kim
I was actually iffy about this recipe, I just started low carb. This tastes just like Wendy's Frosty. Very good!
Stacy Haas
Super yummy! I used THM Gentle Sweet.
Hannah
Is there a way to do this by hand? Would it just take longer?
Lisa
It's best to use an electric mixer to whip up light and fluffy. It's tough to incorporate that much air by hand.
Erin
Has anyone had success with using canned coconut milk instead of HWC? I'm dairy free keto, so now HWC for me but I miss my frostys!!!
Lisa
Coconut cream works better than the coconut milk because it has more fat.
Miriam
I'm curious where the fiber in this is coming from in your nutrition label? None of the listed ingredients would contain fiber to my knowlege
Lisa
Cocoa has fiber.
Denise
I was just wondering if the Truvia makes it gritty?
I tried using Truvia in my unsweetened ice tea and it’s discusting Even liquid Splenda taste bad Does you or anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Denise
Lisa
If the erythritol in Truvia doesn't dissolve, it can be gritty. Have you tried liquid stevia and or monk fruit?
Vally
Splenda makes a crystal type Natural version using the stevia leaf but there’s no after taste! They explain that they use Reb D vs the other type which leaves an after taste. It tastes very good, believe it or not!
Jeff
Swerve is great in tea and low carb shakes.
Kathryn
Powdered swerve like confectioners sugar is amazing in this!
Dawn Gustafson
I use sweet & low.
Anna
My husband and I are doing keto and I have been having a hard time finding food dessert recipes. This is perfect!!! Just made some and we had to share-doubling next time for sure!!!!
Melissa
I love all the recipes you post! My husband and I are on the keto diet and we have been encouraged to start the Facebook page Keto Low Carb Paradise. We've had great results from the keto diet and continue to refer people to your website often!
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful low carb recipes.
Loyal low carb follower!
-melissa z
Lisa
Thanks for being a loyal follower! I'd love to check out your page if you get that started.
Paul
this is what i was looking for, didn't want 12 ingredients in minuscule amounts lol. throw in a handful of ice and you don't have to wait for it to chill. used a tablespoon of vanilla since it's imitation and a bunch of stevia to taste
Lisa
Great way to make it quickly!
Lolly
This recipe was so delicious! And it actually does taste like a frosty. There are plenty “frosty” recipes out there that are disappointing, so thank you for a tasty low carb treat? I added a drop of hazelnut stevia.
Lisa
Yum. Love the added hazelnut flavor!
Linda
Hi Lisa, how about nixing most of the carbs and calories and just use unsweetened Almond or Cashew, or even Hemp milk with your favorite sweetener and flavoring with ice cubes in a blender? I've it for years. My shakes are thick and creamy without the heavy cream.
Lisa
The lower carbs milks just don't freeze as well as cream.
Katie
Heavy cream is needed to make it a frosty texture. Ice makes it like a slushy. Two different things.
Angela Candlish
Your nutrition stats are all wrong. 1 Tb of heavy cream has 50 calories and 5 grams of fat. This alone would make the calories from fat 300, not 75 as stated. The grams of fat would be 30( not including the cocoa powder) not 8.75
Lisa
The recent recipe conversion may have messed up the numbers. I have recalculated and entered in new values based on the results.
Dawn Rogers
Sounds delicious, but that seems like an awful lot of cocoa powder. However, I'm sure I can modify to my likings. ?
Lisa
You could reduce if you'd like. You may want to add a flavoring extract.
Jennifer
Can I mak without the vanilla extract? Only have regular not surface free? If I use the regular what would carb count be?
Lisa
You can omit it or use a little less. It depends on the extract when it comes to carb counts, but it isn't a lot as you only need a little bit.
Barbara Cobham
I have never heard of vanilla EXTRACT which had sugar in it. If you have extract, it is almost certainly sugar-free.
Lisa
I lot of vanilla extract sold here in the US does have sugar added. And, it's usually a form of sugar, not real sugar.
Lisa
Vanilla extract has 0 carbs. 0 sugar.
Erica
Depends on the brand. You have to check labels. I've seen it both ways.
Eileen
I make my own vanilla, but it take about 6 months before you can use it. Vodka and vanilla beans .
Mickie Gibbs
Would this work in the little Cuisinart ice cream maker?
Michele
I was wondering the same thing. Did you ever try it?
Becky
Is it 94 calories per serving? Or 322?
Lisa
It's pretty calorie dense so more like 300.
Annissa Slusher
We made this yesterday and it was soooooo good! I've been craving soft serve chocolate ice-cream and this recipe really hit the spot.
Lisa
Glad you enjoyed this yummy frozen chocolate treat!
Ashton
Kimberly, there are 9 grams of carbs per serving in this recipe.
Kimberly
How many carbs are in this per serving? I'm on a no sugar low carb diet and I can't have more than 20 carbs a day.
Lisa
You have to be very careful with heavy cream. Many have .4g carbs per tablespoon. The carb count can vary by brand of ingredient so it's good to check the brand using. Personally, I would cut the recipe in half or fourth if doing under 20g per day.
Lori
Your calorie count is unfortunately way off. The heavy cream alone is 51-52 calories per Tablespoon. My calculations, not including any calories for sweeteners is over 340 calories per serving, if indeed this is single serving recipe - a far cry from 94! Those merely watching carbs can rest in a low number, but those of us who also keep an eye on calories would be in big trouble using your numbers. Thanks!
Lisa
Yes. That's definitely a mistake! Fixing...
Cecilia Jones
I am allergic to almonds. Can I use skim milk in place of almond milk?
Lisa
Yes. You can substitute regular milk or use coconut milk if you are okay with that.
Allison
I used coconut milk in place of almond milk and it was AMAZING! Thanks so much for posting!
Lisa
You're welcome!
Rilla
Please don't quit blogging. I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 weeks ago and have been looking for lo-carb recipies. I just found your blog last night. I am looking forward to trying your recipes and seeing more of them.
Lisa
I do plan to keep the blog going with new recipes, but just don't have time to post that often.