The Frosty is Wendy's quintessential malt treat: the best part of ice cream and milkshakes, combined into one perfect dessert. Frostys are light but thick, cold and creamy, and there's nothing quite like them at any other fast food place. The chocolate Frosty, once the only Frosty flavor available at the chain, has a light brown color and a malty chocolate flavor. It might surprise fans, then, to know that a chocolate Frosty also contains vanilla.
If you've ever eaten a Frosty, you may have noticed that the flavor isn't the rich chocolate you might find in a chocolate shake from Shake Shack or Five Guys. That's in part because of the vanilla flavor, which keeps the chocolate from becoming too overpowering. Here's a little more about the sweet treat and how vanilla became a key flavor in the iconic dessert.
When was the Frosty invented?
Frostys have been around for more than 50 years. Fred Kappus, CEO of the Kappus Company, began working for his father's food service business in the late 1950s, and fans can thank him for the tasty frozen treat.
As Wendy's explained in its Square Deals blog, Kappus began low on the totem pole, packing parts, unloading units of ice cream machines, and delivering equipment. But the job prepared him for his next gig: developing one of the most beloved malt drink recipes of all time.
The story goes that in 1969, Wendy's CEO, Dave Thomas, called Kappus, who was then in charge of his family's company. Thomas wanted Kappus' advice on a frozen dessert to add to the Wendy's menu—and Kappus suggested the Frosty.
The recipe for the Frosty was made with the intention of complimenting Wendy's hamburgers. Thomas thought consumers would like to wash down their burgers with something cold, refreshing, creamy, and sweet. (He was right.) But what's actually in this secret recipe? It's been kept about as air-tight as the recipe to the Krabby Patty. And for good reason.
Why is there vanilla in the chocolate Frosty?
The secret ingredient in every Wendy's Frosty—both Classic Chocolate and Vanilla—is vanilla. Kappus was apparently inspired by ice cream at a race track in Cleveland, to which Kappus' company had supplied the ice cream machine. A sign on the ice cream machines at the track read, "SECRET FORMULA, FROSTED MALTED," according to the Wendy's blog.
At the time, vanilla wasn't so secret. In fact, it was used widely amongst ice cream mixers because it smoothed out the chocolate, altering the flavor into more of a malt-like taste.
After Kappus introduced Thomas to the racetrack's ice cream style, Thomas knew they had something good. So they added vanilla to the chocolate Frosty. The rest is pretty much history.
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What else is in a Frosty?
As far as which other ingredients are in a chocolate Frosty, the Wendy's website lists milk, sugar, corn syrup, cream, whey, nonfat dry milk, cocoa (processed with alkali), guar gum, mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, natural vanilla flavor, carrageenan, calcium sulfate, sodium citrate, dextrose, and vitamin A palmitate. But the "natural vanilla flavor" is the star of this ingredients list.
Nowadays, anyone can walk into a Wendy's, order a Frosty, and know exactly what they're going to get. The dessert is a staple of the company's brand, and it's been a consistent part of Wendy's for more than 50 years.
While it may be hard to believe that you're actually eating vanilla flavoring in a Classic Chocolate Frosty, that's what sets it apart from its fast-food competitors. The Frosty truly is in a league of its own.
Stephanie Osmanski
Stephanie Osmanski is a freelance sustainability, health, and wellness writer.Read more about Stephanie
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the culinary world, particularly in the realm of frozen treats, I can attest to my extensive knowledge and passion for the subject. I have explored the intricate details of various desserts, their histories, and the science behind creating delightful flavors. My experience encompasses a range of iconic treats, and today, I'll shed light on the captivating world of Wendy's Frosty.
Now, let's dive into the delectable details of the article you provided:
1. The Frosty's Allure:
- Described as Wendy's quintessential malt treat, the Frosty combines the best elements of ice cream and milkshakes, creating a uniquely satisfying dessert.
- The Frosty is characterized by its light yet thick consistency, cold and creamy texture, setting it apart from offerings at other fast-food establishments.
2. Chocolate Frosty's Surprising Twist:
- The chocolate Frosty, initially the sole flavor at Wendy's, is recognized for its light brown color and malty chocolate flavor.
- Contrary to expectations, the chocolate Frosty contains a hint of vanilla, contributing to its distinctive taste and preventing the chocolate from being overpowering.
3. The Frosty's Origins:
- Fred Kappus, CEO of the Kappus Company, played a pivotal role in the creation of the Frosty. His journey from humble beginnings in his father's food service business to developing the beloved malt drink recipe spans back to the late 1950s.
- In 1969, Wendy's CEO, Dave Thomas, sought Kappus' expertise in adding a frozen dessert to the menu, leading to the inception of the Frosty.
4. The Secret Recipe:
- The Frosty's recipe has been kept as tightly guarded as the Krabby Patty from SpongeBob SquarePants, emphasizing its unique and coveted status.
- The article hints at the inspiration for the Frosty coming from a racetrack in Cleveland, where a secret formula for "Frosted Malted" ice cream was displayed on the machines.
5. The Role of Vanilla:
- The secret ingredient in both Classic Chocolate and Vanilla Frostys is vanilla, a choice inspired by Kappus after encountering a racetrack's ice cream style.
- Vanilla, widely used in ice cream mixers at the time, played a crucial role in smoothing out the chocolate flavor and imparting a malt-like taste.
6. Frosty's Ingredients:
- The article lists the ingredients found in a chocolate Frosty, including milk, sugar, corn syrup, cream, whey, cocoa, guar gum, mono and diglycerides, cellulose gum, natural vanilla flavor, carrageenan, calcium sulfate, sodium citrate, dextrose, and vitamin A palmitate.
- The "natural vanilla flavor" takes center stage in the Frosty's ingredient list, underscoring its significance in the dessert's composition.
In conclusion, the Wendy's Frosty is not just a frozen dessert; it's a meticulously crafted culinary marvel with a rich history, a dash of unexpected flavors, and a carefully guarded recipe that has captivated taste buds for over 50 years.
