✔ Updated · copycat recipe, step photos and a dairy-free option
One swirly cup of pineapple Dole Whip on a scorching day at Disneyland was all it took for me, so I worked out this copycat at home. It's frozen pineapple, pineapple juice and vanilla ice cream, blended into soft serve.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Soften the pineapple just until a knife slides in with a little resistance. Too frozen and the blender stalls; too soft and you get a smoothie instead of soft serve.
Why You'll Love This Dole Whip
- Three ingredients, and no ice cream maker.
- Theme-park taste, in your own backyard.
- Easy to make dairy-free, with plant-based vanilla ice cream.
What Is Dole Whip?
Dole Whip is the famous pineapple soft serve sold at the Disney parks, most famously near the Enchanted Tiki Room. It's sweet, tangy and refreshing. This is my copycat version, made with frozen pineapple and vanilla ice cream, so you don't need a soft-serve machine.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use a food processor if you have one. It handles frozen fruit better than most blenders and needs less liquid, so the texture stays thick.
- Firmer swirl. Freeze the blended mix for 20 to 30 minutes before piping. It holds its shape much better.
- Dole Whip float. Pipe it into a glass and pour pineapple juice around it, the way the parks serve it.
- Other fruits. Swap in frozen mango, strawberries or mixed berries with a matching juice. Same method, same amounts.
- Topping bar. Let kids add crushed cookies, sprinkles, chopped fruit or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Copycat Dole Whip
4
servings20
minutes180
kcal20
minutesA copycat of the pineapple soft serve from the Disney parks: slightly softened frozen pineapple, pineapple juice and vanilla ice cream blended until thick and smooth, then piped into a swirl. Use dairy-free ice cream for a vegan version. Serves 4.
Ingredients
4 cups (about 1 lb) frozen pineapple chunks
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 cup vanilla ice cream (or dairy-free vanilla)
fresh pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries, to garnish (optional)
Directions
- Let the frozen pineapple sit at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes, until a knife slides in with a little resistance.
- Add the pineapple, pineapple juice and ice cream to a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend until completely smooth and thick, stopping to scrape down the sides. Add a splash more juice only if it won’t move.
- Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (or a zip-top bag with the corner cut off) and pipe into cups or cones. Serve right away.
Notes
- I love frozen desserts in general because you can make them in advance and freeze for months. This pineapple dole whip recipe, even though it is meant to be a soft serve, can be placed in an airtight container and frozen. It is more ice cream now than soft serve, but still just as good! And you didn’t even have to churn it.
- As some of you might know, homemade dole whip float is also a way it can be served. It is like a root beer float, but instead, you have pineapple soft serve on top of pineapple juice. The perfect refreshment for a hot summer day!
Like this recipe?
Follow us @recipefairy on Pinterest
More Disney-Inspired Treats
Bring a little park magic home with my copycat Disney churros, a Disneyland-style corn dog or a Disneyland-style mint julep (it's alcohol-free). For more pineapple ideas, see my pineapple desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Disney Dole Whip made of?
The soft serve sold in the parks is a dairy-free pineapple mix. The at-home version Disney shared in 2020 blends frozen pineapple, pineapple juice and vanilla ice cream, which is what this copycat follows.
Is Dole Whip dairy-free?
The park version is dairy-free. This copycat uses vanilla ice cream, so it contains dairy unless you swap in a dairy-free vanilla ice cream or coconut-based frozen dessert.
Can I make Dole Whip without a food processor?
Yes, with a high-speed blender. Use the tamper or stop and stir often, and add pineapple juice a tablespoon at a time. Too much liquid turns it into a smoothie.
Can I make Dole Whip ahead of time?
Blend it, spread it in a container and freeze it. It sets firm like sorbet, so let it soften for 10 minutes and scoop it, or re-blend briefly before piping.
How do I make a Dole Whip float?
Pipe or scoop the soft serve into a tall glass and pour cold pineapple juice around it. Add a straw and a spoon and serve right away.
