If you’ve ever pulled up to Wendy’s during Girl Scout cookie season and spotted that minty green swirl peeking through a chocolate Frosty, you know the feeling. That first spoonful of Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl is cold, creamy, and laced with that unmistakable chocolate mint cookie flavor. It tastes like you crushed a sleeve of Thin Mints straight into a Frosty machine and let it ripple through soft serve in the best possible way.
The first time I tried it, I told myself I would just take two bites in the parking lot. Ten minutes later I was scraping the cup with the spoon, half-melted and unapologetic. There is something about that mint chocolate swirl that hits differently, especially when the base is thick enough to almost resist the straw.
This homemade Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl copycat captures that same creamy texture and that slightly gritty, cookie-butter-like swirl. You get cool peppermint, deep chocolate, and tiny flecks of cookie in every bite. The best part is you do not have to wait for a limited release. You can make Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl anytime the craving shows up.
Table of Contents
How to make Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl
Start by preparing a thick Frosty-style base. Wendy’s Frosty is not quite ice cream and not quite a milkshake. It is lighter, a little airier, and not overly buttery. That is why using regular vanilla ice cream, not ultra-premium high butterfat, gives you a more authentic Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl texture.
Then make the mint chocolate swirl. This is the heart of Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl. You want something thicker than syrup, almost like a loose cookie butter with fine crumbs suspended inside. Crushed Thin Mints blended with chocolate sauce and a touch of cream create that slightly gritty ribbon that makes Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl so addictive.
Instead of blending everything fully together, you swirl the mint mixture through the Frosty base. That way every spoonful tastes slightly different. Some bites are creamy and chocolatey, others are cool and mint-forward, and a few have extra cookie crunch.
Nutrition facts (per 16 oz serving, approximate)
Calories: 640
Total Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Carbohydrates: 98 g
Sugar: 84 g
Protein: 10 g
Ingredients (1 serving, 16 oz)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 1
For the Frosty base
1½ cups vanilla ice cream (regular, not premium)
¼ cup whole milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon sugar
⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum or ½ teaspoon instant chocolate pudding mix
For the Thin Mints swirl
4 Thin Mints cookies, finely crushed
2 tablespoons chocolate sauce
1 tablespoon heavy cream
⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
Pinch of salt
Optional topping
Whipped cream
Extra crushed Thin Mints
Tools you’ll need
• Blender
• Small saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spoon or small spatula
• 16 oz glass or Frosty-style cup
Instructions
Make the swirl
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate sauce and heavy cream. Stir gently until smooth and slightly loosened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in crushed Thin Mints, peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly so it thickens to a spoonable consistency. It should be thick enough to ribbon, not run like syrup. (3–4 minutes total)
Blend the Frosty base
Add vanilla ice cream, milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and xanthan gum or pudding mix to the blender. Blend on medium speed until thick and smooth. It should be spoonable, not drinkable. Stop as soon as it looks creamy and fluffy. (30–40 seconds)
Layer and swirl
Spoon half of the Frosty base into your glass. Drizzle a few spoonfuls of the Thin Mints mixture over it. Add the remaining Frosty base, then top with more swirl. Use a spoon or knife to gently drag through the layers once or twice. Do not overmix. You want visible streaks just like Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl. (1 minute)
Finish and serve
Top with whipped cream and extra crushed Thin Mints if you like. Serve immediately while thick and cold.
Optional twist
Add ½ tablespoon of extra crushed Thin Mints directly into the blender if you prefer a texture closer to a Frosty Fusion.
Tips
• Use regular grocery store vanilla ice cream for a lighter texture. Premium ice cream can make Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl too dense.
• Chill your serving glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembling. It keeps the swirl defined longer.
• Start with a small amount of peppermint extract. Too much and it will taste like toothpaste, which nobody wants.
• If your swirl feels too thin, let it cool for another few minutes so the cookie crumbs absorb some moisture.
What to serve with
Fresh and crunchy
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries. The bright acidity of berries cuts through the richness of Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl and keeps everything from feeling too heavy. The contrast between tart fruit and cool mint chocolate is surprisingly good.
• Pretzel sticks or lightly salted pretzel bites. The salt against the sweet Frosty swirl makes each bite more balanced. Dip a pretzel straight into the Frosty and you will understand why sweet and salty always works.
• Apple slices with a squeeze of lemon. Crisp apples bring a clean snap between spoonfuls. It resets your palate in a simple way.
Comfort treats
• Classic brownies. Fudgy, dense brownies next to Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl feel almost over the top, but in the best way. The chocolate layers on chocolate and somehow it still works.
• Chocolate chip cookies, slightly warm. The warmth from the cookie and the chill from the Frosty create that hot and cold contrast that makes dessert feel a little dramatic.
• Mini donuts dusted with sugar. Something about a bite of donut followed by a spoonful of Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl just feels like fairground energy. It is messy and joyful.
Savory counterpoints
• Crispy chicken nuggets. There is a reason people dip fries in Frosties. The salty crunch next to the sweet mint chocolate swirl creates that fast food magic at home.
• Waffle fries with sea salt. The shape makes them perfect for scooping. A salty fry dipped into Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl might sound strange, but it works every single time.
• A simple grilled cheese sandwich. Buttery, golden bread and melted cheese next to cold mint chocolate is oddly comforting, especially for a late night treat.
Variations
Mini Thin Mints Frosty Swirl
Use half the ingredient amounts for a smaller portion. Perfect when you just want a taste and not the full 16 ounces.
Extra Mint Version
Add a tiny additional pinch of peppermint extract to the swirl and blend one crushed cookie into the base. This makes Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl more mint-forward without overwhelming it.
Chocolate Lovers Twist
Use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla in the base. This deepens the cocoa flavor and makes the whole Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl richer and darker.
Dairy-Free Version
Swap in oat milk and dairy-free vanilla ice cream. Use coconut cream in the swirl instead of heavy cream. The texture stays creamy and you still get that signature swirl effect.
Boozy Mint Swirl
Add ½ ounce crème de menthe to the swirl for an adult-only version. Sip slowly. It melts a little faster, but the flavor is worth it.
Frozen Pie Style
Pour the blended base into a graham cracker crust, swirl in the mint mixture, and freeze until firm. Slice it like a pie for a party version of Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl.
Ingredient substitutes
Thin Mints
Original: Thin Mints cookies
Substitutes: Any mint chocolate sandwich cookie, chocolate mint wafers, or even crushed chocolate cookies plus a drop of peppermint extract
Vanilla Ice Cream
Original: Regular vanilla ice cream
Substitutes: Frozen yogurt, light ice cream, dairy-free vanilla ice cream, or blended frozen banana for a fruitier base
Milk
Original: Whole milk
Substitutes: Oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or even evaporated milk for extra richness
Heavy Cream
Original: Heavy cream in the swirl
Substitutes: Half-and-half, coconut cream, or whole milk with a tiny bit of butter melted in
Peppermint Extract
Original: Peppermint extract
Substitutes: Mint extract, crushed mint candies dissolved into the warm chocolate mixture, or leave it out if your cookies are minty enough
Chocolate Sauce
Original: Store-bought chocolate sauce
Substitutes: Homemade ganache, melted chocolate chips with a splash of milk, or hot fudge for a thicker swirl
Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl is one of those desserts that feels playful and nostalgic at the same time. It reminds you of cookie season, of sharing boxes with friends, of eating frozen Thin Mints straight from the freezer. Now you can recreate Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl in your own kitchen, tweak it how you like, and maybe not share it at all. I usually say I will split it, but I almost never do.
Can I use regular mint chocolate cookies instead of Thin Mints?
Yes, you can. Any mint chocolate sandwich cookie will work in this Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl copycat. If the cookies are less minty, just add a tiny extra pinch of peppermint extract to balance the flavor.
How do I keep the Frosty thick like the real Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl?
Use less milk than a typical milkshake and avoid over-blending. The texture should be spoonable, not drinkable. Chilling your glass beforehand also helps it stay thick longer.
Can I make Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl ahead of time?
It is best served immediately. If you freeze it, it will harden like ice cream. You can let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to soften, but the swirl effect may not look as defined.
Is there a way to make this lower in sugar?
Yes. Use sugar-free chocolate sauce, light ice cream, and reduce or skip the added sugar in the base. The cookies still contain sugar, but you can control the rest.
Can I turn this into a Frosty Fusion style version?
Absolutely. Blend extra crushed cookies directly into the base for a more evenly mixed, cookie-packed texture. That makes your Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl thicker and closer to a blended dessert style.
What if I accidentally add too much peppermint extract?
If the flavor is too strong, blend in a little more vanilla ice cream and a splash of milk to mellow it out. Peppermint is powerful, so even a drop too much can change the whole balance.
Can I make Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl without a blender?
You can soften the ice cream slightly and stir everything by hand, though the texture will not be as airy. A hand mixer can also work in a pinch if you blend quickly.
Can I use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla?
Yes, and it makes the Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl richer and more chocolate-forward. Just keep in mind that the mint flavor may be slightly less noticeable against the deeper cocoa base.
Ingredients
1½ cups vanilla ice cream (regular, not premium) ¼ cup whole milk 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tablespoon sugar ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum or ½ teaspoon instant chocolate pudding mix 4 Thin Mints cookies, finely crushed 2 tablespoons chocolate sauce 1 tablespoon heavy cream ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract Pinch of salt
Instructions
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate sauce and heavy cream. Stir gently until smooth and slightly loosened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in crushed Thin Mints, peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly so it thickens to a spoonable consistency. It should be thick enough to ribbon, not run like syrup. Add vanilla ice cream, milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and xanthan gum or pudding mix to the blender. Blend on medium speed until thick and smooth. It should be spoonable, not drinkable. Stop as soon as it looks creamy and fluffy. Spoon half of the Frosty base into your glass. Drizzle a few spoonfuls of the Thin Mints mixture over it. Add the remaining Frosty base, then top with more swirl. Use a spoon or knife to gently drag through the layers once or twice. Do not overmix. You want visible streaks just like Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Swirl. Top with whipped cream and extra crushed Thin Mints if you like. Serve immediately while thick and cold.
