How Dairy Queen's Blizzard Has Changed Over The Years

When you think Dairy Queen you think Blizzard. You might also think about cherry dip, and Dillybars or, depending on your age, the chicken strip basket. But somewhere in that delirious hungry dream, you will think of the not-technically-ice cream, not-quite-shake frozen treat that is the backbone of the DQ dessert menu.

That's right. Ice cream is defined by the milk fat content, and Blizzards do not meet the requirement of "not less than 10 percent milkfat, nor less than 10 percent nonfat milk solids." It doesn't make much of a difference to us. We are still down to swing by Dairy Queen each month to try the newest Blizzard flavor.

While the recipe for this treat has more-or-less stayed the same over the decades since it was introduced, many things about it have changed. From the processes that go into making it to the different sizes and varieties now available, here are all the ways Dairy Queen's Blizzard has changed through the years.

These days, Dairy Queen has dozens of candies and mix-ins that it didn't in the '80s, like Reese's, Butterfinger, and cookie dough. Each of these comes shipped pre-crushed and ready to be used immediately. But it wasn't always this way for the chain. In fact, at the beginning of the Blizzard endeavor employees were chopping up candy by hand.

It quickly became clear that this would be a pretty unsustainable practice for such a popular product. Early on, pre-crushed product from Heath was shipped directly to Dairy Queen, but other partners like the Mars company were unmovable and ruthless. An M&M/Mars spokesperson even told the chain that the company would not sell unwrapped or broken bars. Was it a threat or a promise?

Neither, as it turns out. Inevitably the popularity of Blizzards and its many competitors forced Mars and other candy giants to force their hands. It was likely the more profitable decision in the end.

As the years went on, the Blizzard got bigger; and, in this instance, we aren't just talking about popularity. In 2005, the Dairy Queen Blizzard got literally super-sized. The largest Blizzard that has (still to this day) ever been created was erected that year and it even set a Guinness world record.

This record-breaking endeavor was actually the second time Massachusetts Dairy Queen franchise owner Mark Cowles tried and succeeded to make a massive Blizzard. In 1999, he set out to create the world's biggest frozen dessert and accomplished just that. But six years later, as part of the Blizzard's 20-year anniversary, he broke his own record by creating a 22-foot Blizzard.

This towering 8,224.85-pound monolith set the record for the largest blended soft-serve dessert. This edible piece of art required 700 gallons of Blizzard mix to pull off.

You know, we're still not quite sure what makes these upgraded Blizzards worthy of being called Royal. In our books all Dairy Queen Blizzards are royalty, but in 2016 the frozen treat chain upped its game with these indulgent new variants on the classic.

Essentially, you take a traditional Blizzard treat and inject it with a healthy dose of fudge inside the core of your dessert. And it doesn't have to be fudge, although that is what comes with the Oreo Royal Blizzard. The Strawberry Cheesecake Royal Blizzard that launched alongside its chocolatey brethren has a sweet strawberry filling in its core, making the treat even more indulgent and amazing.

In the years since, dozens of variations of Royal Blizzards have seen Dairy Queens nationwide. There have also been expansions beyond the first group of cores, which include Peanut Butter and Marshmallow among others.

The price you will pay for a Blizzard is admittedly much higher than it was in 1985. When the treat first debuted, it cost $1.29 for a 12-ounce size and $1.99 for 21 ounces. When the Mini Blizzards debuted in 2010, they cost between $1.99 to $2.49. At the time, the smallest size on the menu was the price that the largest size was when the item first dropped; and prices have only gone up since 2010.

Increasing prices is one reason why the 2023 marketing stunt that Dairy Queen pulled was such a big deal. In April, there was a nationwide deal exclusive to the DQ mobile app that allowed patrons to get a small Blizzard for just 85 cents. In celebration of the year the Blizzard was invented, this low price was available to rewards members on the app for two weeks between April 10 and 23. If you managed to snag an almost-free Blizzard during this period, we take our hats off to you.