Copycat McDonald’s Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry

McDonald’s Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry came and went in the late summer of 2023, as a limited-time offer. For some, it was a welcome reminder of the long-lost Reese’s Pieces McFlurry. Others just appreciated it for what it was, while it lasted, because chocolate and peanut butter are a perfect pairing. Sadly, the McFlurry didn’t stick around nearly long enough to please its fans. Even worse, the fast food giant apparently has no plans to bring it back.

That’s why we’ve put together this copycat McDonald’s Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry for you in our Test Kitchen. Enjoy it on its own as a cool treat, or serve it as the sweet ending to a meal made up entirely of copycat recipes.

Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream: Soft serve isn’t easy to do at home, but regular vanilla ice cream softens enough in the mixer to make a good copycat McFlurry.
• Nutter Butter cookies: McDonald’s Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry didn’t specify a brand, but its ingredients list did include peanut butter sandwich cookies and Nutter Butter cookies are the obvious choice.
• Peanut butter Chex: The peanut butter Chex add texture and flavor.
• Peanut brittle: Crushed peanut brittle was an ingredient in the original McFlurry, so you’ll need it to make your copycat version taste like the real thing.
• Mini chocolate chips: Miniature semisweet chocolate chips bring in the necessary chocolate component. Their small size makes them perfect for a “chocolate in every bite” end result.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the ice cream

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Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to warm and soften slightly. Transfer the ice cream to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with its paddle attachment.

Step 2: Add the mix-ins

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Add the cookies, Chex, peanut brittle and chocolate chips, and mix on low speed until the mix-ins are just incorporated.

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Once everything is mixed, serve the copycat McFlurry immediately.

Editor’s tip: If it’s hot in your kitchen, chilling the mixer’s bowl and paddle before you begin helps keep the ice cream from melting too quickly during the mixing process.

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Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry Variations

• Swap the ice cream: Once you’ve sated that craving for a Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry the way you remember it, you can start to mix things up. A quick way to do that is by changing the ice cream. Peanut butter ice cream (especially if you make your own) is an obvious choice. So is chocolate ice cream, or better yet chocolate-peanut butter ice cream. A butterscotch or caramel swirl brings another interesting element.
• Stir in some peanut butter: Want to double down on the peanut flavor? Stir a swirl of your favorite brand into the ice cream after it’s mixed. Don’t use your mixer for that, or you’ll lose the “swirl” effect. If you’d rather have the peanut butter mixed through the ice cream, that’s fine too (and that way you can use the mixer). You can also sprinkle powdered peanut butter into the McFlurry, or scatter some over the top as a garnish.
• Add a sauce: Yes, a McFlurry is a complete dessert in its own right. That doesn’t mean you can’t crank it up a notch, though. A quick chocolate sauce or salted caramel sauce does the job nicely.

How to Store a Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry

If all four servings don’t get eaten, or if you make an extra-large batch deliberately, any leftover portions should be transferred immediately to a freezer-safe food storage container and frozen.

Can I make this copycat McFlurry ahead of time?

It’s not a perfect make-ahead candidate, to be blunt. In the first place, it takes just 10 minutes to make them from start to finish. Second, if you make them ahead of time, you don’t really save yourself any work. You’ll still need to soften them for a few minutes on the counter, and mix them to restore their texture. You’ll also lose some textural contrast. The Chex and cookies soften over time, and the peanut brittle dissolves into the ice cream.

How long will these McFlurrys keep?

Well-packaged McFlurries can last for up to 3 to 6 months in the freezer, if necessary. Over time they’ll absorb flavors from the freezer, so they’re best within the first one to three months. A previously frozen McFlurry won’t provide the same textural contrasts, but its flavors will still be delicious.

Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry Tips

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What’s in the original Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry?

When the new McFlurry started rolling out to McDonald’s locations in August 2023, the company’s Menu Spotter page listed “vanilla soft serve, crispy cereal mix and chocolatey peanut butter cookie pieces.” Reviewers, scanning the ingredients list, found “fudge coated peanut brittle” and “chocolate peanut butter yummy chow,” aka puppy chow or muddy buddies. This recipe hits the same textural and flavor notes.

Is there a way to make this McFlurry pretty enough for company?

Sure, you have a few options for giving it a more photogenic appearance. First, consider your serving dishes. A well-chilled ice cream “coupe” is a good choice. So is a margarita glass. Wide-mouthed Mason jars give the treat a pleasingly rustic appearance. Any straight-sided old-fashioned glass is another good alternative, showing off the add-ins through the sides. Once you’ve selected your serving dish of choice, consider garnishes. Any of the sauces mentioned in the Variations above can add to the dessert’s appeal. So can a sprinkling of Reese’s Pieces, crushed peanuts or chocolate curls. You also can’t go wrong with homemade whipped cream, on its own or with any of these sauces and toppings.

Can I make a nondairy McFlurry?

Yes you can. Nutter Butter cookies are dairy-free, so that’s one key ingredient taken care of. Check the labels of your peanut brittle and chocolate chips, to find brands without dairy. Finally, you’ll need a dairy-free ice cream. This vegan coconut ice cream recipe fits the bill, or you can go with the store-bought nondairy or vegan ice cream of your choice.