Spring is ready to bring us all the things we love about the season: warmer weather, Easter candy and, most importantly, Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen.
That’s right, DQ is bringing back the best day of the year. We’re ready to get in line!
Psst: Don’t have a participating DQ nearby? Recreate the experience at home with Dairy Queen copycat recipes.
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What Kind of Ice Cream Is Free?
If you’re not familiar with Free Cone Day, your mind is about to be blown. Every Dairy Queen customer gets one free vanilla soft-serve cone to help usher in warmer weather.
“We like to think of Free Cone Day as the beginning of our favorite season—treat season! As we welcome the first day of spring, we invite all fans to stop by a DQ restaurant, get their free cone and make great memories with friends and family,” says Maria Hokanson, executive vice president of marketing at ADQ.
What’s the catch? Well, there isn’t one. The first day of spring has been dubbed Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen since 2014—minus its cancellation in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns—making this the ninth year of the tradition.
Don’t forget to check out DQ’s Blizzard of the Month for March, too!
When Is Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen?
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Free Cone Day is March 20, 2023. The fast-food chain we all know and love will be handing out free vanilla soft serve! Keep in mind that only participating locations will be handing out those curly-headed cones. If you’re concerned about finding this freebie, it’s worth it to give your local DQ a call or check DairyQueen.com or the DQ mobile app. The promotion doesn’t include mall locations, so you’ll have to head to a stand-alone store.
If you miss out on Free Cone Day, don’t sweat it. DQ has offers running throughout the year, and we’re definitely expecting some delicious discounts in the summer. Until then, if you want a dose of good old-fashioned nostalgia, swing by DQ for a Jack and Jill Sundae—we promise it’s worth it.
In the meantime, ask for a celebratory Dairy Queen “cupcake.”
Copycat Dairy Queen Recipes That Taste as Good as the Real Deal
Inspired by: Original Cheeseburger Signature StackburgerTwo mouthwatering burger patties stacked high with toppings like melted cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard. Our smash burger recipe is just like DQ's Original Signature Stackburger—and maybe even better.
Inspired by: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard TreatThese rich chocolate peanut butter shakes will make you feel as if you're sitting in your local Dairy Queen. But since you're the one whipping it up, you can add as many Reese's cups as you heart desires!
Inspired by: Pretzel Sticks with Zesty QuesoServe up warm pretzel sticks straight from the oven. Don't forget the cheese sauce! To make it zesty just like DQ's, add diced jalapenos and green chiles.
LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME
You don't have to be a baker to make this ice cream cake for your next celebration! This ice cream cake recipe is inspired by the DQ classic—made with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache and a thick layer of chocolate cookie crumbles.
Get Our Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Inspired by: Chili DogThe very thought of a hot dog dressed in chili makes us giddy. Just add slightly melted cheese to get that straight-from-the-drive-thru taste.
Inspired by: Caramel MooLatteYou can easily indulge in a MooLatte at home anytime. This copycat recipe will give you the extra caffeine to get you through your day.
Inspired by: Crispy Chicken SandwichHere's our take on the Crispy Chicken Sandwich from Dairy Queen. We know everyone says theirs is better than the original, but ours really is.
Inspired by: Banana SplitServe up this classic Dairy Queen staple at home! We promise it's not as intimidating as it looks. Top scoops of your favorite vanilla ice cream with sauce, whipped cream, strawberry slices and bananas. Sprinkle a few nuts on top for good measure, too.
Inspired by: Cheese CurdsDQ's cheese curds are the ultimate in delicious comfort food. Dip them in ranch dressing, ketchup or barbecue sauce for the full experience.
Inspired by: Strawberry SundaeA simple scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with strawberry jam makes for the perfect treat. We like adding a handful of chocolate chips and chopped nuts to our sundae.
Inspired by: Chicken Strip BasketYou can skip the drive-thru and make these golden chicken fingers in your own kitchen. They're finger-licking good!
Inspired by: Strawberry ShakeNo matter what the temperature is outside, there's nothing quite like a cool strawberry shake to finish a meal. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream for the finishing touch.
Inspired by: Onion RingsThese Dairy Queen-inspired onion rings are a healthy alternative to the deep-fried version. But don't worry, they're still as crispy as ever!
Inspired by: Mint Chip ShakeYup, we even have a copycat recipe for DQ's latest (and limited time) release: their Mint Chip Shake! Ours even uses up a handful of Thin Mints...talk about yum.
Inspired by: Hot Fudge SundaeOur hot fudge sauce always turns out smooth and yummy—just like DQ's. The dark chocolate flavor, with a hint of rum extract, is not overly sweet but will still satisfy a chocoholic's cravings when served over vanilla ice cream.
Inspired by: French FriesThere's nothing like fresh-cut, fresh-cooked french fries. This recipe you can make at home is so much better than any fast-food variety.
Inspired by: Cherry Misty FreezeBlend together a homemade Cherry Misty Freeze for a cool and refreshing treat. It's sure to hit the spot on both warm and cool days alike.
Updated: Mar. 15, 2023
