A hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen is a delicious frozen treat, but like most indulgent desserts, it does come with a high calorie count. Understanding the calorie content of menu items can help consumers make informed choices. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the calorie count for a Dairy Queen hot fudge sundae and explain how different factors like size, toppings and preparation method impact the total calories.
Calories in a Small Hot Fudge Sundae
A small hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen contains approximately 550 calories. This is based on a 6 ounce sundae made with vanilla soft serve, fudge topping, whipped topping and a cherry. Here is a breakdown of the calorie count for each component:
- Vanilla soft serve (6 oz) – 330 calories
- Fudge topping (2 oz) – 200 calories
- Whipped topping – 20 calories
- Cherry – 0 calories
So in total, a small hot fudge sundae contains about 550 calories. This calorie count may vary slightly depending on precise portion sizes and preparation, but a small should contain around this number of calories in most Dairy Queen locations.
Calories in a Medium Hot Fudge Sundae
A medium hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen contains approximately 800 calories. Here is the calorie breakdown:
- Vanilla soft serve (9 oz) – 495 calories
- Fudge topping (3 oz) – 300 calories
- Whipped topping – 20 calories
- Cherry – 0 calories
So a medium hot fudge sundae contains around 800 calories total. The increased portion of ice cream and fudge topping bumps up the calories compared to the small size.
Calories in a Large Hot Fudge Sundae
A large hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen has about 1050 calories. Here are the calorie counts for a large:
- Vanilla soft serve (12 oz) – 660 calories
- Fudge topping (4 oz) – 400 calories
- Whipped topping – 20 calories
- Cherry – 0 calories
The large size with bigger portions of ice cream and fudge adds more calories, bringing the total to around 1050 calories for a Dairy Queen large hot fudge sundae.
Variables that Impact Calories
There are a few factors that can cause the calorie count of a hot fudge sundae to vary:
- Size – As shown above, a larger size sundae with more ice cream and toppings contains more calories.
- Ice cream flavor – Vanilla soft serve is typical, but other flavors like chocolate or twist may alter calories slightly.
- Toppings – Additional toppings like nuts, brownie chunks or cookie pieces will increase the calorie count.
- Whipped cream – Getting whipped cream instead of whipped topping adds about 45 more calories.
- Preparation – Handmade sundaes may have more generous portions and more calories.
So the calorie content can vary depending on the details, but the information above provides a general idea of how many calories are in a Dairy Queen hot fudge sundae.
Nutritional Information
In addition to calories, here is some other nutritional information for a Dairy Queen hot fudge sundae:
| Nutrient | Small Sundae | Medium Sundae | Large Sundae |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 19g | 29g | 39g |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 18g | 24g |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 1g | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 65mg | 95mg | 130mg |
| Sodium | 180mg | 270mg | 360mg |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 106g | 142g |
| Fiber | 0g | 0g | 0g |
| Sugars | 63g | 94g | 126g |
| Protein | 6g | 9g | 12g |
As you can see, the hot fudge sundae is high in saturated fat, sugar and carbohydrates. There is minimal protein and no fiber. So while delicious, the sundae is lacking in nutritional value.
Ways to Make It Healthier
If you want to enjoy a hot fudge sundae but make it a little healthier, here are some tips:
- Order a small or medium size instead of a large.
- Ask for less fudge and whipped topping.
- Choose a lighter ice cream like low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt.
- Load up on fruit toppings like strawberries, blueberries or banana slices.
- Split the sundae with a friend.
- Only eat half and take the rest to-go.
- Substitute the cherry for a sprinkle of nuts like almonds or walnuts for more protein.
Making adjustments like these can help reduce the calorie count while still allowing you to enjoy the delicious flavors of a hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen.
Conclusion
A hot fudge sundae from Dairy Queen ranges from about 550 calories for a small up to 1050 calories for a large. Exact calorie counts may vary depending on restaurant location, toppings, preparation variations and other factors. But in general, a hot fudge sundae packs a lot of calories from the soft serve, fudge topping and whipped cream or whipped topping. If you want to indulge while limiting calories, order a small size, skip extras and share with a friend. Or make modifications like choosing yogurt over ice cream and fruit over candies. Either way, knowing the calorie content can help you balance your craving for this sweet, frozen treat.