If you’ve ever visited the Disney theme parks, you may have heard about a beloved soft-serve dessert called a Dole Whip. This frozen treat has the consistency of soft-serve ice cream with the natural flavor of fresh pineapple.
When my son, Trevor, and I recently took a trip to Walt Disney World, I couldn’t wait to cool down from the hot day with this tasty treat. I visited Disneyland a lot in my youth and after a show in the Enchanted Tiki Room, I was always game to stand in the long lines to get this delicious treat.
Related: Crushed Pineapple Upside Down Cake
I loved introducing it to Trevor for the first time when we visited Epcot. And we both agreed that once we returned home, I needed to make a homemade version to enjoy on a hot summer day.
The Whip History
The original recipe debuted in 1984. This dessert is so easy to make and uses only 3 simple ingredients. Disney Parks published the recipe a few years ago.
There are also numerous copycat recipes for this beloved snack. Some recipes use milk of choice instead of vanilla ice cream. Others insist on homemade ice cream. There are also dairy-free dessert versions. In 2013, Disney began making the Dole Whip dairy free and that’s how it’s made today.
I decided to stay true to the original Dole whip recipe since that’s what I grew up enjoying. I wanted to bring some of that Disney magic home while enjoying this classic Disney treat.
What IS A Dole Whip?
So what exactly is in this iconic pineapple tropical treat? It starts as you might imagine… with PINEAPPLE! No need to tackle cutting up a fresh pineapple. I used frozen pineapple chunks and it worked great.
One important note — for best results, you will need a powerful blender to make this homemade pineapple Dole whip recipe. I used my Vitamix and while it handled it fine, I don’t think I’d trust this recipe to a cheapo blender. The soft serve ice cream consistency gets thick, so make sure you have a blender that can handle the job.
I usually like to let the frozen pineapple sit out for about 10 minutes before I start, just so it defrosts a little bit. A little softness helps it break down more easily and doesn’t make your blender work as hard. While I didn’t try my food processor, I read several recipes where one was used. So, if you trust that more than your blender, I’d say go for it!
Besides pineapple, you’ll also want to have a glass of pineapple juice. I used juice from a can from the grocery store. And finally, you’ll need vanilla ice cream! I use Breyer’s natural vanilla, but if you have a favorite, use what your whole family will like.
So are you ready to try making this refreshing treat? I put the recipe for the original real dole whip below, with a few additional notes. With all of the hot weather that’s been heating up summer, I know you’ll look forward to this easy way to cool off!
Homemade Dole Whip
This homemade treat is refreshing and enjoyable! Plus, it you'll get a taste of Disney magic every time you make it!
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen pineapple chunks (defrosted for about 10 minutes)
- 6 oz can pineapple juice
- 1 heaping cup vanilla ice cream
- *1 tbsp sugar, optional
Instructions
- Place pineapple juice, pineapple chunks and ice cream (in that order) in a powerful blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. If using a blender with a tamper rod, use to keep ingredients moving so that blender doesn't burn out.
- Scoop out servings and enjoy!
- Place any leftovers in an airtight container and put in freezer. Let sit out a few minutes to soften next time you want to serve.
Notes
We absolutely love this recipe as is. While the ingredients are the exact original Dole Whip recipe, I adjusted my measurements a bit after making a few times. The optional sugar is just that...my daughter prefers things a bit more sweet, so I made a version for her with the sugar that she liked better. I don't think you need it, but that's up to your taste buds!
From the pineapple flavor to the vanilla flavor, this creamy texture treat is one of my favorite things and I know you’ll enjoy it too!
Dole Ship devotees who want to make this recipe even more authentic might want to place the finished Dole Whip into a frosting piping bag with a large star tip and swirl the creamy ice cream treat into a bowl. That’s a little too much effort, in my opinion. I want to enjoy the tropical flavor of this yummy at-home version without any fuss!
I know there are other fruit versions of the Dole Whip but I haven’t tried making those yet. I’m a purist, I suppose. Pineapple is good enough for me.
The next time you’re dreaming of a trip to the Magic Kingdom, remember, you’re only 3 ingredients away from a little taste of Disney!
From my kitchen to yours,
Jill
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