Strawberry Dole Whip is a bright, creamy frozen treat that tastes like sun-warmed berries with a tropical twist. It’s smooth, scoopable, and melts softly on the tongue — like a fruit sorbet crossed with a light soft-serve. The texture is silky from the coconut milk and icy from the frozen strawberries, with pineapple juice adding a subtle, bright fruitiness and lemon juice lifting the flavors. This recipe is fast and hands-off: just blend, taste, and serve, or chill briefly for a firmer scoop. It’s perfect for hot afternoons, quick desserts, or a simple treat after dinner. Serve it in a waffle cone, a bowl with fresh berries, or alongside a shortcake for a summer twist, such as pairing with a tried-and-true best strawberry shortcake.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Dole Whip

Ready in minutes with only a blender and five main ingredients.
Naturally fruity flavor with a balance of sweet, tart, and tropical notes.
Silky, soft-serve-like texture that’s scoopable or spoonable.
Flexible: use any milk you like and adjust sweetness to taste.
Light and refreshing — lower-fat option with unsweetened coconut milk.
Easy to scale for parties or single servings.
No churn or ice cream maker needed.
Great as a snack, dessert, or a quick brunch topper.

What Is Strawberry Dole Whip?

Strawberry Dole Whip is a fruit-forward frozen dessert inspired by classic pineapple Dole Whip, but made with strawberries as the star. It tastes like concentrated strawberry with a hint of pineapple brightness and a creamy coconut-backed finish. The blend creates a lush, airy texture that’s not heavy like ice cream, but richer than a simple sorbet thanks to the coconut milk. The cooking method is no-cook: everything goes into a blender and becomes dessert in seconds. The vibe is casual and fun — a weeknight treat, pool-side snack, or simple dessert for guests.

Ingredients for Strawberry Dole Whip

For the Base

2 cups frozen strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (or any milk of your choice)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons powdered sugar (adjust to taste)

Ingredient Notes (Substitutions, Healthy Swaps)

Frozen strawberries: Use fresh strawberries that have been frozen for several hours if you don’t have store-bought frozen. Fresh, very ripe strawberries can work if you add ice to chill.
Pineapple juice: Swap for orange juice in a pinch for a different citrus profile, but pineapple gives the most authentic tropical lift.
Coconut milk: Use almond milk, oat milk, or regular dairy milk for a less coconut-forward flavor. Full-fat coconut milk gives a richer mouthfeel; light or unsweetened keeps calories lower.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice gives the best bright lift; bottled works when fresh isn’t available.
Powdered sugar: Substitute with a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or honey, but reduce the other liquids a touch if using syrup to keep thickness (optional). For a lower-sugar option, use a sweetener blend that measures like sugar and add to taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 – Gather and prep ingredients
Make sure the strawberries are fully frozen and the pineapple juice and coconut milk are chilled. Powdered sugar should be ready in a measuring spoon. This keeps blending quick and cold.

Visual cue: The strawberries should be frosty and firm, not soft or syrupy.

Step 2 – Blend the core ingredients
Add 2 cups frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to a high-speed blender. Pulse a few times to break up the fruit, then blend on high until smooth and silky.

Step 3 – Taste and sweeten
Taste the mixture and add 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, or less if you prefer it tart. Blend again briefly to fully incorporate the sugar.

Pro cue: If the blender struggles, stop and scrape the sides, then pulse with a splash more pineapple juice (1–2 teaspoons) to help movement — avoid large amounts that thin the mix too much.

Step 4 – Serve immediately or firm up
Serve the Dole Whip straight from the blender for a soft-serve texture. For a firmer scoopable texture, transfer to a shallow container and freeze for 30 minutes.

Visual cue: Soft-serve will stream slowly from a spoon; a firmer set will hold a rounded scoop.

Step 5 – Final garnish and serve
Spoon into bowls or cones. Optional toppings: fresh strawberry slices, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a sprig of mint. Enjoy right away.

Pro Tips for Success

Use fully frozen strawberries for the best texture; partially thawed berries make a watery result.
Start blending with short pulses to break up big chunks, then finish at high speed for a smooth texture.
If the blender overheats or clogs, pause and let it rest a minute. Add a small splash of pineapple juice if needed to free the blades.
Use powdered sugar for quick dissolving; granulated sugar can leave a grainy feel unless fully dissolved in a warm liquid first.
For a thicker Dole Whip, reduce pineapple juice to 1/3 cup or add a small frozen banana for creaminess (optional).
Chill serving bowls or cones in the freezer for 10 minutes to help the Dole Whip stay cold longer.

Flavor Variations

Optional: Strawberry-Pineapple Swirl — add 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks and blend lightly so you get streaks of bright pineapple.
Optional: Creamy Banana Boost — add 1/2 frozen banana for extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
Optional: Berry Mix — replace 1 cup strawberries with raspberries or blueberries for a mixed berry Dole Whip.
Optional: Lime Twist — swap lemon juice for lime juice for a sharper citrus note.
Optional: Mint Cooler — add a few fresh mint leaves while blending for a cool herbal finish.
Optional: Reduced Sugar — skip powdered sugar and add 1–2 teaspoons of stevia or monk fruit sweetener to taste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in chilled bowls with a small spoon and a mint sprig for a light dessert.
Pipe into waffle cones for a fun hand-held treat at a party.
Pair with shortcake or sponge cake slices for a summery dessert plate.
Top with chopped fresh strawberries and shredded coconut for texture.
Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish for a bright, fruity palate cleanser at a summer meal.
Offer as a palate-refreshing course between richer courses at a dinner party.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

Make-ahead: Blend the mixture and store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 24 hours; stir or re-blend briefly before serving to refresh texture.
Storage duration: Keep in the refrigerator only if you plan to consume within a few hours; otherwise store in the freezer.
Reheating: Do not heat — this is best served cold. If spoonability is lost, let sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes, then stir or pulse in a blender briefly.

Note: The dessert does not reheat like traditional desserts; warming will melt the texture and change the flavor.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Freezing: Transfer to a shallow, airtight container and smooth the top. Freeze for up to 2 weeks for best texture. Longer storage increases ice crystal formation.
To serve from frozen: Remove from freezer and let sit 5–10 minutes to soften slightly, then stir or pulse in a blender for a couple of seconds to restore creamy texture.
If texture becomes icy after long freeze, add 1–2 tablespoons pineapple juice or milk and blender-pulse to revive creaminess.
If you don’t want to freeze, store blended mixture in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours; expect a softer, somewhat watery texture.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Assumes 2 servings per recipe. Estimates vary based on brands and portion sizes.

Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sodium
—|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:
~150 kcal | 1.5 g | 36 g | 2.5 g | 4 g | 20 mg

Estimates vary by brands and portions.

FAQ About Strawberry Dole Whip

Q: Why is my Dole Whip too thin?
A: You likely added too much juice or used partially thawed fruit. Blend less liquid next time or add more frozen strawberries.

Q: Why is it icy rather than creamy?
A: This happens if the mixture sat too long in the freezer or was frozen too long. Let it soften, then re-blend briefly with a touch of milk or juice.

Q: Can I use fresh strawberries?
A: Yes, but add ice or freeze them first. Using fully frozen fruit gives the best texture.

Q: How sweet should it be?
A: Taste before serving. Powdered sugar is added to taste; start with 1 tablespoon and increase as desired.

Q: Can I make this vegan?
A: Yes — use unsweetened coconut milk or another plant milk (the recipe already includes coconut milk as an option).

Q: Can I make a large batch for a party?
A: Yes — double or triple ingredients and blend in batches to avoid overworking your blender.

Notes

Chill serving dishes for 10 minutes for a more refreshing experience.
If using granulated sugar, dissolve it in the pineapple juice over low heat, cool, then use in the recipe for a smoother finish.
Garnish with a small lime wedge or mint leaf for a pop of color.
For a soft-serve look, press the mixture through a piping bag into cones or bowls.
Keep the blender jar chilled if possible; this keeps the mixture colder during blending.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Blender stalls on frozen chunks. Fix: Pulse first, scrape down the sides, and add 1–2 teaspoons of pineapple juice.
Problem: Too sweet. Fix: Add a little more lemon juice or a few spoonfuls of plain unsweetened yogurt to balance sweetness (optional).
Problem: Texture too thin. Fix: Return to freezer for 20–30 minutes or add more frozen strawberries and re-blend.
Problem: Mixture separates after sitting. Fix: Stir vigorously or pulse in blender before serving to re-emulsify.
Problem: Overly icy after long storage. Fix: Let soften slightly, then re-blend with a splash of milk to smooth it out.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Dole Whip is an easy, flexible frozen dessert that highlights fresh strawberry flavor with a tropical lift. It’s quick to make, customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser — perfect for cooling down on a warm day.

Conclusion

If you want another tested take on strawberry Dole Whip for comparison or extra inspiration, try this Strawberry Dole Whip Recipe – {Disney In Your Kitchen}.