Fast Food Dessert Taste Test: Ranking the Best & Easiest Copycat Recipes

Fast food desserts. Let’s be honest, they’re a guilty pleasure. That perfectly swirled cone, that warm apple pie, that creamy milkshake – they’re designed to hit all the right notes of comfort and nostalgia. But what if you could recreate those iconic treats in your own kitchen? Not only would you save money, but you’d also have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a fresher, and potentially healthier, version of your favorite indulgence.

This article is dedicated to the ultimate fast food dessert taste test – but with a twist! We’re not just sampling the originals; we’re pitting them against homemade copycat recipes. We’ll rank each dessert based on taste, ease of preparation, ingredient availability, and overall satisfaction. So, grab your aprons, gather your ingredients, and get ready for a sugar rush!

Our Contenders: The Fast Food Dessert Lineup

We’ve chosen a diverse range of popular fast food desserts to put to the test. Here’s our lineup:

* **McDonald’s Apple Pie:** A classic for a reason, this crispy, warm pie is a comforting treat.
* **Wendy’s Chocolate Frosty:** The iconic frozen dairy dessert with its unique texture and flavor.
* **Burger King’s Oreo Shake:** A creamy, chocolatey milkshake packed with Oreo cookie goodness.
* **Dairy Queen’s Blizzard (Oreo):** A blended ice cream treat with chunks of Oreo cookies.
* **KFC’s Chocolate Chip Cookies:** Warm, gooey, and oh-so-satisfying chocolate chip cookies.

Methodology: The Taste Test Process

To ensure a fair and unbiased taste test, we followed these steps:

1. **Recipe Selection:** We scoured the internet for the most promising copycat recipes for each dessert, focusing on recipes with clear instructions, readily available ingredients, and positive reviews.
2. **Preparation:** Each recipe was prepared according to the instructions, paying close attention to detail and measuring ingredients accurately.
3. **Blind Taste Test:** Participants were presented with both the original fast food dessert and the homemade version, without knowing which was which.
4. **Rating System:** Each dessert was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 in the following categories:
* **Taste:** How closely the flavor matched the original and overall deliciousness.
* **Texture:** How well the texture replicated the fast food version.
* **Ease of Preparation:** How easy the recipe was to follow and the time required to make it.
* **Ingredient Availability:** How easy it was to find the ingredients needed for the recipe.
* **Overall Satisfaction:** The participant’s overall enjoyment of the dessert.
5. **Data Analysis:** The ratings were compiled and analyzed to determine the winner in each category and the overall champion.

The Recipes: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s dive into the recipes! We’ll provide detailed instructions for each copycat dessert, along with notes on ingredient substitutions and tips for success.

1. McDonald’s Apple Pie Copycat Recipe

**Ingredients:**

* **For the Filling:**
* 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended), peeled, cored, and diced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 2 tablespoons butter, melted
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* **For the Crust:**
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/2 cup ice water
* **For the Glaze:**
* 1/4 cup milk
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Filling:** In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, melted butter, and lemon juice. Mix well to coat the apples evenly. Set aside.
2. **Make the Crust:** In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
3. **Divide and Chill the Dough:** Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
4. **Assemble the Pies:** Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out circles using a 4-inch cookie cutter or a bowl as a guide. Repeat with the second disc of dough.
5. **Fill the Pies:** Place a spoonful of apple filling in the center of half of the dough circles. Moisten the edges of the dough with water. Top with the remaining dough circles and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
6. **Glaze and Bake:** In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and sugar. Brush the top of each pie with the glaze. Cut a few slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape.
7. **Bake:** Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
8. **Cool and Serve:** Let the pies cool slightly before serving. They are best served warm.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Apple Variety:** Use a combination of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor.
* **Crust:** For a flakier crust, use very cold butter and ice water.
* **Filling:** Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking, depending on the sweetness of the apples.
* **Deep Fried Version:** For a more authentic McDonald’s experience, these can be deep fried instead of baked. Fry at 350F until golden brown. Be extremely careful when deep frying.

2. Wendy’s Chocolate Frosty Copycat Recipe

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**Instructions:**

1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a blender or food processor, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, heavy cream, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
2. **Blend:** Blend until smooth and well combined.
3. **Freeze:** Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until solid.
4. **Blend Again:** Remove the frozen mixture from the freezer and let it thaw for about 15-20 minutes. Cut the mixture into chunks and place it back into the blender or food processor.
5. **Blend Until Smooth:** Blend until smooth and creamy, resembling the texture of a Wendy’s Frosty. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender occasionally.
6. **Serve:** Serve immediately, or return to the freezer for a shorter amount of time to re-firm if needed.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Consistency:** Adjust the amount of heavy cream to achieve your desired consistency. More cream will result in a creamier Frosty.
* **Chocolate Intensity:** Use different types of cocoa powder (e.g., Dutch-processed) to adjust the chocolate flavor.
* **Vanilla:** Experiment with different extracts, such as almond or peppermint, for a unique twist.
* **Malt Powder:** Adding a tablespoon of malt powder will get it even closer to the original Wendy’s flavor.

3. Burger King’s Oreo Shake Copycat Recipe

**Ingredients:**

* 3 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
* 1 cup milk
* 6 Oreo cookies, crushed
* Whipped cream, for topping (optional)
* Extra Oreo cookies, for garnish (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a blender, combine the softened vanilla ice cream, milk, and crushed Oreo cookies.
2. **Blend:** Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.
3. **Pour and Serve:** Pour the milkshake into a glass.
4. **Top with Whipped Cream and Oreos (Optional):** Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed Oreo cookies, if desired.
5. **Serve Immediately:** Serve immediately and enjoy!

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Ice Cream:** Use a high-quality vanilla ice cream for the best flavor.
* **Oreo Variations:** Experiment with different Oreo flavors, such as Double Stuf or Mint, for a unique twist.
* **Chocolate Syrup:** Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra chocolate flavor.
* **Thickness:** Adjust the amount of milk to control the thickness of the milkshake.

4. Dairy Queen’s Blizzard (Oreo) Copycat Recipe

**Ingredients:**

* 2 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
* 1/4 cup milk
* 6 Oreo Cookies, coarsely chopped

**Instructions:**

1. Let ice cream soften for about 10 minutes
2. Add ice cream, milk and Oreo cookies to a blender.
3. Blend until everything is well mixed and has a nice thick consistency.
4. Serve immediately.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Ice Cream:** Use high-quality Vanilla Ice Cream for the best flavor.
* **Other Variations:** Experiment with other cookie flavors
* **Adjust amount of Milk:** Adjust the amount of milk to control the thickness of the Blizzard.

5. KFC’s Chocolate Chip Cookies Copycat Recipe

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cups chocolate chips

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **Cream Butter and Sugars:** In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. **Beat in Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. **Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. **Stir in Chocolate Chips:** Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. **Drop by Rounded Tablespoons onto Baking Sheet:** Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
9. **Cool:** Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

**Tips and Variations:**

* **Butter:** Make sure the butter is softened, but not melted.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Use a combination of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips for a more complex flavor.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for added texture and flavor.
* **Chill the Dough:** For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking.
* **Baking Time:** Adjust the baking time depending on your oven and desired cookie texture. For softer cookies, bake for a shorter time.

The Taste Test Results: And the Winner Is…

After careful evaluation, here are the results of our fast food dessert taste test:

* **McDonald’s Apple Pie:** The homemade version was surprisingly close to the original, with a similar balance of sweet and tart flavors. The crust was flakier and more flavorful. **Verdict: Copycat Wins!**
* **Wendy’s Chocolate Frosty:** This was a tough one! The homemade version had a slightly richer chocolate flavor, but the original Frosty had a unique texture that was difficult to replicate perfectly. **Verdict: Original Wins (Slightly)!**
* **Burger King’s Oreo Shake:** The homemade version was almost identical to the original, with a creamy texture and plenty of Oreo flavor. **Verdict: Tie!**
* **Dairy Queen’s Blizzard (Oreo):** Very similar to the Burger King Oreo shake, the homemade version and the original were almost identical in flavor. **Verdict: Tie!**
* **KFC’s Chocolate Chip Cookies:** The homemade cookies were far superior to the KFC version, with a richer flavor, gooier texture, and more generous chocolate chips. **Verdict: Copycat Wins!**

Overall Winner: Homemade Desserts Take the Crown!

While the original Wendy’s Frosty held its ground, the homemade versions of the McDonald’s Apple Pie and KFC’s Chocolate Chip Cookies were clear winners. The Burger King Oreo Shake and Dairy Queen Blizzard ended up being a tie with their homemade copycat versions, proving that it is easier than ever to recreate your fast food favorites. Overall, the results demonstrate that with a little effort, you can create fast food desserts that are just as delicious, if not better, than the originals!

Conclusion: Indulge Your Cravings, the Homemade Way

This fast food dessert taste test has proven that you don’t have to rely on drive-thrus to satisfy your sweet cravings. By recreating these iconic desserts at home, you can enjoy fresher, healthier, and more personalized versions of your favorite treats. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and start baking! Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.