A small Butterfinger Blizzard from Dairy Queen contains between 840 and 1140 calories, depending on the exact size and ingredients. Blizzards are creamy frozen dairy desserts that contain soft serve ice cream blended with various mix-in ingredients like candy, cookies, or fruit. The calorie count can vary based on the specific mix-ins used in each Blizzard flavor.
Calories in a Small DQ Blizzard
Dairy Queen offers their Blizzard treats in four standard sizes: Mini, Small, Medium, and Large. Here are the typical calorie counts for each size:
- Mini Blizzard: 270 calories
- Small Blizzard: 840-1140 calories
- Medium Blizzard: 1030-1360 calories
- Large Blizzard: 1110-1480 calories
As you can see, there is quite a wide range for the small size. This is because the calorie count depends largely on the particular mix-in ingredients used in each Blizzard flavor.
Calories in Butterfinger Blizzard
A Butterfinger Blizzard is made with reduced fat vanilla soft serve blended with pieces of Butterfinger candy bars. Here are the approximate calorie counts for each size of a Butterfinger Blizzard:
- Mini Butterfinger Blizzard: 270 calories
- Small Butterfinger Blizzard: 840-960 calories
- Medium Butterfinger Blizzard: 1030-1150 calories
- Large Butterfinger Blizzard: 1110-1230 calories
The small Butterfinger Blizzard ranges from 840-960 calories. The lower end of that range is based on a typical recipe, while the higher end accounts for potential variations in serving size and candy mix-in proportions between different locations.
Factors Affecting Calorie Count
There are a few key factors that account for the range in calories for a small Butterfinger Blizzard:
- Cup size – Small Blizzards are typically served in 14-18 oz cups. Bigger cups hold more ice cream and candy.
- Mix-in ratio – More Butterfinger pieces means more calories.
- Serving size – Amount of ice cream and candy varies by location and employee.
- Soft serve variation – The ice cream itself can range in calories based on factors like air content and milkfat percentage.
These factors make it difficult to pin down an exact calorie number, but 840-960 is a reasonable estimate for a small Butterfinger Blizzard.
| Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Mini | 270 |
| Small | 840-960 |
| Medium | 1030-1150 |
| Large | 1110-1230 |
Breakdown of Calories by Ingredient
Here is an approximate breakdown of where the calories come from in a small Butterfinger Blizzard:
- Reduced fat soft serve ice cream: 680 calories
- 2 full size Butterfinger candy bars: 200 calories
- Whipped topping: 50 calories
- Caramel topping: 20 calories
The soft serve provides the bulk of calories at 680. Each 2.1 oz Butterfinger bar accounts for around 100 calories. The whipped topping and caramel sauce add 50 and 20 calories respectively. Total calories for a typical small Butterfinger Blizzard fall around 950.
Ice Cream Calories
Dairy Queen’s soft serve is made with reduced fat milk and cream to cut down on calories compared to regular ice cream. A 16 oz serving (2 cups) contains around 680 calories. The ice cream itself makes up over 70% of the calories in a Butterfinger Blizzard.
Butterfinger Calories
A standard king size (2.1 oz) Butterfinger bar contains about 250 calories. Smaller snack size bars have around 100 calories. A small Blizzard typically has about two full size bars crumbled up inside for approximately 200 calories from the candy.
Toppings Calories
The whipped topping adds around 50 calories while the caramel sauce contributes another 20 calories or so to the Blizzard. Combined they make up less than 10% of the total calories.
Nutrition Information
Here are the full nutrition facts for an average small Butterfinger Blizzard from Dairy Queen:
- Calories: 920
- Total Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sodium: 370mg
- Total Carbs: 123g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 105g
- Added Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 15g
- Vitamin D: 15%
- Calcium: 25%
- Iron: 0%
- Potassium: 10%
As you can see, the Blizzard provides a significant amount of calories, fat, and sugar. The calcium comes from the soft serve, while the protein is derived from both the ice cream and Butterfinger pieces.
Daily Calorie Needs
To determine how a Butterfinger Blizzard fits into your daily calorie needs, you need to consider your age, gender, activity level, and any weight goals you may have.
Here are some general daily calorie estimates for adults:
- Sedentary women: 2000 calories
- Sedentary men: 2500 calories
- Moderately active women: 2200-2400 calories
- Moderately active men: 2700-3000 calories
A small Butterfinger Blizzard consumes about half the daily calories for an average sedentary adult. For a more active person, the Blizzard would provide around 35-40% of total daily calorie needs.
Weight Loss Calories
People trying to lose weight should target a daily calorie deficit of 500-1000 calories below their maintenance needs. So a small Butterfinger Blizzard at around 950 calories could blow most or all of the deficit for the day.
If losing 1-2 pounds per week is the goal, it would be best to avoid or minimize indulgences like Blizzards most days.
Bulking or Surplus Calories
For those looking to bulk up or gain weight, extra calories are key. A small Blizzard can help contribute nearly 1000 surplus calories to reach a goal of 0.5-1 pound gain per week.
Bulking diets often recommend 500-1000 calories over maintenance needs. The additional calories from a Butterfinger Blizzard could certainly assist with weight gain, provided they are balanced with enough protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
Comparable Dessert Calories
Here’s how the calories in a small Butterfinger Blizzard compare to some other popular dessert treats:
- 1 bowl ice cream (1/2 cup): 140 calories
- 1 slice chocolate cake: 320 calories
- 1 glazed donut: 190 calories
- 1 slice apple pie: 410 calories
- 1 scoop gelato: 150 calories
You would need to eat several donuts, a large slice of cake, or multiple bowls of ice cream to equal the calorie count of one small Blizzard. The Blizzard provides more calories than most single-serving dessert options.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Blizzard
If you want to enjoy a Butterfinger Blizzard but reduce the calorie impact, here are some tips:
- Choose mini size (270 calories)
- Ask for less candy mix-ins
- Substitute a lower calorie topping like fresh fruit
- Order a kid size with a cake cone (around 500 calories)
- Split a small with a friend
- Get soft serve in a cup instead of cone
- Opt for diet soda or water instead of sugary shake upgrade
Being mindful of portions and ingredients can help enjoy the treat while limiting calorie intake.
Healthier Blizzard Alternatives
If you are looking for a healthier frozen dessert similar to a Blizzard, consider these options:
- Low-fat Greek yogurt blended with fruit
- NiceCream made from frozen bananas
- Arctic Zero dairy free ice cream (only 150 calories per pint)
- Halo Top low calorie ice cream
- Frozen yogurt with fresh fruit toppings
Making your own NiceCream or yogurt smoothie bowl at home gives you full control over the ingredients and nutrition facts.
Conclusion
A small Butterfinger Blizzard from Dairy Queen contains 840-960 calories, depending primarily on serving size and amount of candy mix-ins. The reduced fat soft serve provides around 680 calories, while two full size Butterfinger bars add about 200 more. Toppings like whipped cream and caramel sauce make up the remainder.
Compared to other single-serve desserts, the Blizzard is high in calories, satisfying half or more of an average adult’s daily needs. Those limiting calories for weight loss would want to avoid these indulgences most of the time or opt for lower calorie preparations. For active individuals or those bulking up, the nearly 1000 extra calories can be part of reaching daily intake goals.
Being mindful of portion sizes, asking for less candy, or substituting lower calorie ingredients are ways to lighten up a Butterfinger Blizzard. Overall though, these treats pack a high calorie punch and are best enjoyed in moderation as part of an otherwise balanced diet.
