What is a Frozen Custard Concrete?
When a cold, creamy treat is calling your name, a frozen custard concrete is the perfect choice. This sweet dish is also highly customizable. If you are new to this creation or haven’t yet tried one at the Freddy’s near you, you may have questions like the ones that follow:
● What is a frozen custard concrete dessert?
● How does a concrete differ from a shake or sundae?
● What are some of the best concrete mix-ins?
● What are a few tasty concrete flavor combinations to try?
Below, find answers to these questions and more, including a preview of the frozen custard concretes featured on Freddy’s Summer Custard Tour!
The Concrete: Defining the Dessert
As Epicurious highlights, custard desserts come in many forms and flavors. The concrete is a sweet treat that features frozen custard and assorted mix-ins. It is designed to have a very thick consistency and is meant to be consumed with a spoon. While the use of frozen custard provides a rich texture and foundational taste to this treat, the best concrete mix-ins offer additional textural variety and even more layers of flavor.
The Basics for Creating a Frozen Custard Concrete
Fresh frozen custard and a wide range of mix-ins are the key ingredients in a frozen custard concrete. When it is time to combine the ingredients, the goal is to do so without turning them into mush. Instead, gently fold or mix them together by hand, or use a blender to achieve the desired consistency.
The Shake vs. The Concrete: The Importance of the Upside-Down Test
Since frozen custard paired with other ingredients like sauces or candies is not exclusive to the frozen custard concrete, you may be wondering how this treat differs from a shake. Besides requiring a straw versus a spoon, a shake is generally not as thick as a concrete. Making a shake often involves using as much milk as needed to achieve a smooth, sippable consistency. While tipping over a shake may end your enjoyment of this tasty treat, the upside-down test (which should be tried at your own risk of cleanup) was historically one way concrete-making professionals demonstrated the intended thickness of the concrete, as noted by Tasting Table.
The Difference between a Sundae and a Concrete
Another favorite frozen custard treat, the sundae, also often incorporates a variety of mix-ins and is enjoyed with a spoon. However, unlike in a frozen custard concrete, these additions are layered on top of the custard instead of integrated into it. Without some careful planning, each bite of sundae may be less likely to include all of the featured ingredients of that dish, in contrast to the blended concrete.
Why Vanilla Custard is the Best Base
While there are many different frozen custard flavors to choose from, using vanilla custard offers several benefits as the base for a concrete. In terms of popularity, vanilla is consistently ranked at or near the top, as shown in this recent list of survey findings from the International Dairy Foods Association. The versatility of vanilla frozen custard also makes it the ideal choice for a multitude of mix-ins. Instead of being in conflict with them, it enables these ingredients to shine.
Can you make concretes with ice cream instead of frozen custard in a pinch? Sure, but the final result may not be as thick and creamy as one made with frozen custard. The higher percentage of egg yolks and other aspects of frozen custard preparation often make it denser than average ice cream. For a dish that is designed to be thick and rich, frozen custard is the best choice, and vanilla is a great base for creating a wide range of tasty concretes.
The Perfect Mix-Ins
From hot fudge and caramel to favorite candies and even baked goods, there are many perfect mix-ins for frozen custard concretes. The greatest challenge may be deciding which ones to choose for this treat. To demonstrate the assortment of possibilities, take a look at some of the options from the Freddy’s menu:
Sauces to Savor
For both frozen custard concretes and sundaes, hot caramel and hot fudge remain popular. However, fruity choices like cherry sauce or nutty options such as peanut butter sauce also work well. When choosing your sauces, you might stick to just one or maybe two, so the frozen custard concrete doesn’t melt too fast or become more like a shake in consistency.
Colorful Mix-ins
To create a frozen custard concrete that’s vibrant in color and tasty, several mix-ins will help you achieve these intentions. M&M® candies and gummy worms, as well as sundae staples like sprinkles, are among the possibilities. If you are looking for some natural sources of color and sweetness, banana slices, strawberries or other fruit may achieve similar purposes.
Candy Classics
Combining your favorite candy pieces into your frozen custard concrete makes for a delicious treat. Some of the best concrete mix-ins are classic choices like Butterfinger® and HEATH® bars, as well as REESE’S® Peanut Butter Cups. However, experimenting with other options may introduce you to other craveable flavor combinations. In terms of how many candy mix-ins to incorporate, too many additions (especially ones that don’t offer similar tastes) may make for a muddled overall dish.
Baked Goods
Instead of a scoop of custard on top or served on the side of many desserts, go ahead and mix them into a frozen custard concrete. All types of brownies, cookies, cakes and even pies make for some of the best concrete mix-ins. In addition to options like chocolate brownies and NY-style cheesecake, two popular seasonal concretes at Freddy’s include caramel apple pie and pumpkin pie. If you are feeling unsure which of the many mix-ins to choose, being inspired by the time of year, holidays or even some of your other favorite desserts can be helpful!
How to Select the Mix-Ins for Your Frozen Custard Concrete
Selecting the best concrete mix-ins really comes down to personal preference. While the thought of a chewy gummy worm surprise in the midst of an otherwise smooth and creamy bite may be unpleasant for some, others may relish the unique textural contrast and color they provide. Besides thinking about textures that you like or that are complementary, give similar consideration to the different flavors you are bringing together. For example, combining a slightly salty mix-in with something sweeter may create a tasty balance in your concrete. Finally, while it may be tempting to put every single ingredient that you generally like into a concrete recipe, consider starting with just a few. As highlighted below, many Freddy’s frozen custard concretes contain approximately 2-3 mix-ins.
7 Frozen Custard Concretes Starring on the Freddy’s Summer Custard Tour
While frozen custard treats are always delicious no matter what time of year you choose to order them, summer is a particularly perfect time to revel in their greatness. In addition to the usual assortment of frozen custard concretes and other sweet menu selections, guests can also enjoy 13 weeks of 13 different frozen custard creations during the Freddy’s Summer Custard Tour. Below, find seven of the frozen custard concretes featured on this tour, many of which can be made anytime using the create your own custard menu feature.
1. Cookie Dough Overload Concrete
As the Summer Custard Tour kicks off in June, the Cookie Dough Overload Concrete is the first frozen custard concrete to arrive. In this treat, Freddy’s fresh and creamy vanilla custard combines with a double portion of cookie dough pieces. Chocolate chips are also woven throughout and whipped cream and a cherry provide the finishing touch on top!
2. Red White & Blueberry Concrete
When it's time to get festive during the week of July 4, find a colorful and scrumptious way to celebrate in the form of this frozen custard treat at Freddy’s. Cool and creamy vanilla frozen custard serves as the base for this concrete. Fresh strawberries and blueberries are then swirled into it for a red, white and blue flavor sensation that’s especially fitting for this week.
3. Cherry Cheesecake Concrete
While cherry cheesecake day may be in April, you can enjoy a variation on this dessert at Freddy’s during the Summer Custard Tour or any other time of year! In addition to the cherry on top and the cherry sauce mixed throughout, chunks of cheesecake, sweet cinnamon streusel, and rich vanilla custard, not to mention a dollop of whipped cream, complete our frozen custard take on this beloved dessert.
4. Peanut Butter Cookie Crunch Concrete Made with REESE’S® & OREO®
This frozen custard concrete is essentially a mashup of two other frozen custard treats: the REESE’S® Royale and the OREO® Double Trouble. Illustrating the depth of flavor that the best concrete mix-ins bring to a finished dish, this featured frozen custard offering on the Summer Custard Tour blends vanilla frozen custard with REESE’S® Peanut Butter sauce, REESE’S® Peanut Butter Cups and OREO® cookies for an unforgettable experience.
5. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Concrete
If you already love the Strawberry Dreamcake, then start getting excited about the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Concrete’s tour date at the end of July. In this frozen custard concrete, NY-style cheesecake pieces combine with fresh strawberries, as well as both vanilla and chocolate frozen custard.
6. Toffee Pecan Concrete Made with HEATH®
Shortly after National Frozen Custard Day on August 8, the Toffee Pecan Concrete Made with HEATH® makes its grand entrance. In this treat, caramel, pecans and HEATH® bar pieces are blended with vanilla frozen custard for a scrumptious summer sweet. If you prefer to skip the candy, the Signature Turtle swaps these toffee pieces for one of the best concrete mix-ins and sundae toppings around – hot fudge sauce!
7. Peanut Butter Brownie Concrete Made with Butterfinger®
The second-to-last week of the Summer Custard Tour is the final opportunity to enjoy a featured frozen custard concrete, specifically the Peanut Butter Brownie Concrete Made with Butterfinger®. In this treat, a double portion of Butterfinger® pieces are mixed with a whole chocolate brownie and creamy vanilla frozen custard for the penultimate offering in this sweet summer experience at Freddy’s.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freddy’s Frozen Custard Concretes
What sizes and frozen custard flavors are available?
At Freddy’s, frozen custard treats are available in three different sizes – mini, regular and large. Guests can also choose vanilla or chocolate frozen custard or enjoy a half and half blend of these flavors.
How many mix-ins are available at Freddy’s?
For frozen custard concretes or other treats like sundaes, guests have an assortment of over 20 toppings to choose from. From fresh fruit, nuts and sauces to candy, cookies and cake, these ingredients can be used to create many incredible frozen custard combinations, as evident on our current menu and in this summer’s “Custard of the Week” offerings.
Can you earn Freddy’s Rewards points when you order a concrete?
Yes! After signing up for Freddy’s Rewards, you can earn 10 points for every dollar you spend. As the points from orders accumulate, you’ll soon find that you are eligible to redeem them for FREE rewards to use in-app, online or in-store. Current rewards at the time of this post include frozen custard concretes, shakes and malts, as well as savory sides and even steakburgers.
The frozen custard concretes and other treats on the Freddy’s Summer Custard Tour are just another reason to head to one of over 580 Freddy’s locations across the United States and Canada. To find the Freddy’s near you, explore the menu or customize your next order for carry-out or delivery, download the Freddy’s app at Google Play or the App Store today!