I'll never order ice cream any other way.
I have been a huge fan of Dairy Queen for as long as I can remember. What has always appealed to me is the sheer variety and endless possibilities of the DQ menu. I can go up to that order window with $7 and a dream and walk away with something new (like the breakfast-inspired menu) or something classic (like a Dilly Bar).
The mix-ins that DQ uses are elite, and I love following the chain’s seasonal Blizzard drops. Whenever the S’mores Blizzard hits menus, I get excited because it means I have an excuse to order my favorite discontinued menu item: the S’more Galore Parfait.
But if you made me pick my favorite Dairy Queen treat of all time, it would probably be a simple cherry-dipped cone. There’s something, well, magical about that magic shell. That sweet spot before it fully hardens is when it gives the best flavor, in my opinion.
So imagine my delight when I found out about a viral DQ hack that allows you to enjoy that magic shell even more.
What is the Dairy Queen hard shell hack?
Apparently, you can order some of the hard shell that they dip cones in on the side. I saw this going viral on Instagram and knew I had to try it.
Turns out, this kind of setup is actually on the DQ menu. The chain refers to it as a “sidecar,” and it comes in a small cup. What I love about it is that it’s the perfect accompaniment to literally any ice cream treat. You could order it with plain vanilla soft serve, or you could use it to really ramp up the flavor of your favorite Blizzard.
How to Order a Hard Shell On the Side
I was a little nervous to order this. It felt a little “off menu” and I was wondering if they would know what I was talking about. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. I simply asked for a small Mint Crunchin’ Cookie Blizzard with a sidecar of the green mint coating. The woman taking my order knew exactly what I wanted, and I didn’t have to show her a reference photo or explain any further.
Now, there are a few ways you can eat your hard shell. You can scoop some ice cream onto your spoon and submerge the entire thing, then eat it. This was an excellent way for me to luxuriate in that not-quite-set shell texture that I love. But what I actually ended up liking more was drizzling a bit of the hard shell coating on top of my Blizzard, waiting a few seconds for it to harden, and then eating it.
I was also impressed with how long the hard shell coating stayed warm and pliable. I was able to eat my entire Blizzard without it cooling off or becoming too stiff to use.
Overall, I can’t recommend this hack enough. It’s such a good way to get that shell coating taste into every bite of your favorite DQ treat. Now that I’ve tried it, to be honest, I can’t imagine ordering my ice cream any other way.
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