Ever dream of recreating that classic cherry-red shell from Dairy Queen at home? You’re not alone! The Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe is a nostalgic favorite that brings back memories of sunny days and cool, crunchy cones. And the best part? You can whip it up in just 20 minutes with a few simple ingredients.
This homemade cherry dip is not only beginner-friendly, but also customizable. Whether you’re going for that exact Dairy Queen vibe or adding your own twist with extra cherry extract or vibrant food coloring, it’s all up to you. It’s perfect for topping soft serve, sundaes, or even frozen yogurt.
So grab your maraschino cherries and let’s dive into this quick, sweet, and super fun kitchen project that’ll have everyone asking, “Did you really make that yourself?”
What Does Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Taste Like?
This cherry dip captures that iconic taste you remember from Dairy Queen – sweet, fruity, and just the right amount of creamy richness from the white chocolate. It’s got that nostalgic candy-like snap when it hits cold ice cream, thanks to the coconut oil.
The maraschino cherry juice adds a deep, sugary cherry flavor, while the optional cherry extract brings an extra fruity punch. If you’re after that signature color, the red gel food coloring will give you a stunning finish that looks just like the real deal.
Altogether, it’s the perfect blend of fun, flavor, and texture – a sweet shell that melts in your mouth but holds strong around your scoop.
Ingredients Required for Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Dairy Queen Cherry Dip
- 12 oz (2 cups) white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- 2–3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice (from a jar)
- 1/4 teaspoon cherry extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- Red gel food coloring (optional, for color vibrancy)
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- Small pot (for double boiling)
- Glass or metal bowl
- Whisk or rubber spatula
- Jar with lid (for storing the dip)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: About 32 servings
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly
Copycat Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Dairy Queen Cherry Dip at home
1. Melt the White Chocolate
In a heat-safe bowl placed over a small pot of simmering water (double boiler method), add the white chocolate chips. Stir continuously with a whisk or spatula until melted and smooth.
2. Incorporate Coconut Oil
Remove the bowl from the heat. Stir in the refined coconut oil until fully combined. This helps create that signature hard shell when the dip hits cold ice cream.
3. Add Cherry Flavor
Slowly mix in maraschino cherry juice, one tablespoon at a time. Stir well and taste after each addition. Typically, 2–3 tablespoons are perfect. Add the cherry extract now if you’re using it for extra flavor.
4. Add Color (Optional)
For that bright red Dairy Queen look, add red gel food coloring – start with 1/8 teaspoon and adjust to your liking. If using liquid coloring, start with a few drops and mix carefully.
5. Cool Slightly Before Using
Let the mixture cool just enough to thicken slightly while staying pourable. Don’t let it harden before dipping.
6. Dip & Enjoy
Dip a soft serve cone directly into the cherry dip. It’ll harden on contact, creating that crunchy, candy-like shell. You can also drizzle it over bowls of ice cream for a fun, retro dessert.
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Dairy Queen Cherry Dip
1. Classic Vanilla Soft Serve Cone
Trust us, this one never fails. Just like the real deal from Dairy Queen, dipping a swirl of cold vanilla soft serve into this cherry shell creates that nostalgic snap and fruity finish we all love like the Cocoa Fudge.
2. Cherry-Topped Sundaes
We’ve drizzled this over a scoop (or three) of vanilla ice cream, then added whipped cream and a real maraschino cherry on top. It’s simple but gives serious sundae shop vibes.
3. Dipped Ice Cream Sandwiches
Here’s a fun one – we made mini ice cream sandwiches and dunked half of each one into the cherry dip. Let them set, and boom: the perfect party treat or freezer snack.
4. Chocolate + Cherry Combo
We tried this over a rich chocolate ice cream, and it was magical. That sweet cherry flavor layered on the cocoa base? Absolutely divine – think chocolate-covered cherries, but frozen.
5. Frozen Banana Bites
This was a fun experiment: slice up some bananas, freeze them, then dip in the cherry coating. They come out like fruity little frozen bites that kids (and we!) devoured in seconds.
6. Ice Cream Popsicles
We made homemade creamy popsicles or Slushie Frosty and dipped the tops in the cherry dip before freezing again. It creates a gorgeous shell that cracks when you bite in – looks fancy, tastes even better.
7. On Cheesecake Slices
Sounds a little wild, but we spooned some cherry dip over a chilled slice of plain cheesecake – and wow. It hardened just enough to give a candy-like layer, and the flavor matched perfectly.
8. Cherry Crunch Parfaits
Layer vanilla ice cream with crushed graham crackers, cherry dip, and whipped cream in a tall glass. We did this once for a family gathering and it was gone in minutes.
9. With Frozen Yogurt
For a lighter twist, we paired it with tangy frozen yogurt. The contrast between the tart base and sweet cherry shell was super refreshing and honestly addictive.
10. Waffle Bowl Sundaes
We filled waffle bowls with scoops of ice cream, then poured the cherry dip over the top like a glaze. Once it hardened, it added a gorgeous pop of color and that satisfying crunch with each bite.
Some Tips on This Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe
1. Use real white chocolate chips.
Don’t use candy melts! Real white chocolate tastes better and makes the dip nice and creamy.
2. Stir, stir, stir!
Keep stirring the chocolate as it melts. This helps it melt smooth without any lumps.
3. Don’t let the water touch the bowl.
When using the double boiler, make sure the hot water doesn’t touch the bowl. Just the steam should warm it.
4. Coconut oil is the secret!
Use refined coconut oil. It helps the dip turn hard on the cold ice cream – just like magic!
5. Add cherry juice slowly.
Pour just one spoon at a time and stir. That way, the chocolate doesn’t get too runny.
6. Taste as you go.
Try a tiny bit before adding more cherry juice or extract. You want it to be just right.
7. Use gel food coloring.
Gel makes the red color bright without adding too much liquid. A little goes a long way!
8. Let it cool a little.
Wait a minute or two before dipping. If it’s too hot, it might melt the ice cream.
9. Dip fast and smooth.
When you dip your cone, do it quickly and turn it slowly for a nice even coat.
10. Store leftovers in a jar.
Put any extra dip in a jar with a lid. If it hardens later, warm it up a little and it’s good to go!
How to Store Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Properly
Store any leftover cherry dip in a sealed jar at room temperature. If it hardens, microwave it for 10–20 seconds or place the jar in warm water to melt it back to dipping consistency.
Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- 2 –3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice from a jar
- 1/4 teaspoon cherry extract optional, for extra flavor
- Red gel food coloring optional, for color vibrancy
Instructions
- In a heat-safe bowl placed over a small pot of simmering water (double boiler method), add the white chocolate chips. Stir continuously with a whisk or spatula until melted and smooth.
- Remove the bowl from the heat. Stir in the refined coconut oil until fully combined. This helps create that signature hard shell when the dip hits cold ice cream.
- Slowly mix in maraschino cherry juice, one tablespoon at a time. Stir well and taste after each addition. Typically, 2–3 tablespoons are perfect. Add the cherry extract now if you’re using it for extra flavor.
- For that bright red Dairy Queen look, add red gel food coloring – start with 1/8 teaspoon and adjust to your liking. If using liquid coloring, start with a few drops and mix carefully.
- Let the mixture cool just enough to thicken slightly while staying pourable. Don’t let it harden before dipping.
- Dip a soft serve cone directly into the cherry dip. It’ll harden on contact, creating that crunchy, candy-like shell. You can also drizzle it over bowls of ice cream for a fun, retro dessert.
Video
Notes
Common Queries on This Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Dairy Queen Cherry Dip that people often ask.
1. Did Dairy Queen discontinue the cherry dip?
Yes, sadly, Dairy Queen officially discontinued the cherry dip in many of its locations over the past few years. We noticed it started disappearing from menus around 2023, and by 2025, most locations no longer carry it. That’s exactly why we created this copycat recipe – to bring back that nostalgic cherry shell we all miss!
2. What is Dairy Queen dip made of?
From our research and taste testing, the classic DQ dip is essentially a blend of fat (usually coconut oil), sugar, and flavoring – formulated to harden when it touches cold ice cream. The cherry version has a red colorant and artificial cherry flavor. Our version uses white chocolate, maraschino cherry juice, and coconut oil to recreate that same effect at home.
3. Does DQ have cherry dipped cones in 2025?
As of 2025, the cherry dipped cone is no longer available at most DQ locations. Some franchise-owned stores might offer it as a limited-time or specialty item, but it’s not part of the regular national menu anymore. That’s one of the reasons this DIY version has become so popular – it lets us enjoy the cherry dip anytime!
4. What flavor is the red dip at Dairy Queen?
The iconic red dip is cherry-flavored. It’s sweet, slightly tangy, and has that unmistakable candy-like finish. We tested and tasted several combinations to match it, and using maraschino cherry juice with a hint of cherry extract really nails the flavor in this homemade version.
5. Can I use milk chocolate instead of white chocolate in this Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe?
You could, but we don’t recommend it for this particular recipe. White chocolate has a neutral base that lets the cherry flavor shine through and helps achieve that bright red color. Milk or dark chocolate will overpower the cherry and change both the taste and look of the dip.
6. Is coconut oil necessary for the Dairy Queen Cherry Dip to harden?
Yes, coconut oil is what gives the dip that magical hard shell effect. It solidifies quickly when it hits something cold, like ice cream. We use refined coconut oil so there’s no coconut flavor – just a smooth, clean hardening agent that mimics the Dairy Queen texture perfectly.
7. Can I make this cherry dip ahead of time?
Absolutely! We’ve stored this cherry dip in a jar at room temperature for up to a week. If it hardens, just microwave it for 10–20 seconds or place the jar in warm water to loosen it back up. It’s great to make in advance for parties or summer ice cream nights.
8. What kind of food coloring should I use?
We highly recommend gel food coloring. It gives you a bold, cherry-red hue without adding too much liquid to the mixture. If all you have is liquid food coloring, use it sparingly – a few drops at a time – and be ready to adjust as needed.
9. Can I skip the cherry extract in this Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe?
Yes, you can! We’ve made it both ways. The maraschino cherry juice on its own gives a solid cherry flavor, but if you really want to elevate the taste and get closer to that DQ flavor punch, a small amount of cherry extract makes a noticeable difference.
10. Does this dip work with other flavors?
Definitely! Once you get the base down (white chocolate + coconut oil), you can experiment with other extracts and juices – like strawberry, orange, or mint. But the cherry version is still our favorite because it brings back all the Dairy Queen nostalgia we grew up loving.
Now that you’ve mastered the Dairy Queen Cherry Dip Recipe, it’s time to impress your family and friends with this sweet, nostalgic treat. It’s easy, fun, and absolutely delicious – the perfect way to upgrade your ice cream game. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share the love by pinning this recipe or sending it to a fellow cherry dip fan!
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