Frozen Custard & Desserts – Shakes, Floats & Sundaes

I still remember the first day I decided to try  Culver’s dessert menu. I had always gone for the ButterBurgers and fries, but the sight of the frozen custard options drew me in. Once I started sampling everything from sundaes to floats, I realized they put just as much care into these sweet treats as their main dishes. Below, you’ll find a deeper look at each dessert offering, loaded with facts, flavors, and tips.

Concrete Mixer®

Flavor Variety: Choose between Vanilla or Chocolate Fresh Frozen Custard, then add an array of mix-ins like candy, cookies, fruit, or syrups.

1. Price & Calorie Range:
   • Mini – $2.69 (Approx. 370 Cal)
   • Small – $3.09 (Approx. 680 Cal)
   • Medium – $4.19 (Approx. 836 Cal)
   • Large – $4.99 (Approx. 990 Cal)
2. Standout Feature: Customization is key. You can create combinations like Oreo and peanut butter cups or strawberries and brownie bits.
3. Taste & Texture: Dense, sweet, and rich because of the custard base, mix-in variety ensures a unique bite each spoonful.
4. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy, plus any additional allergens from your selected mix-ins.

Personal Tip: 

If you’re unsure about which mix-ins to choose, ask the staff for their favorite combos. It’s a great way to discover hidden gems like marshmallow crème or Reese’s cups.

Shake

Classic Drinkable Dessert: Culver’s Shakes rely on their Fresh Frozen Custard base for a creamy texture that’s thicker than regular ice cream shakes.

1. Price & Calorie Range:
   • Small – $3.09 (Approx. 660 Cal)
   • Medium – $4.19 (Approx. 860 Cal)
   • Large – $4.99 (Approx. 1,080 Cal)
2. Ingredients: Milk, cream, sugar, egg yolk, flavor extracts (chocolate or vanilla), plus any optional syrups.
3. Flavor & Mouthfeel: Velvety, smooth, and reminiscent of old-time diner milkshakes.
4. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy. Some flavor add-ons may contain additional allergens.

Personal Tip: 

Enjoy it with a wider straw if you can. Because of its thickness, a bigger straw or spoon helps you get every last bit without too much effort.

Malt

Retro-Style Sweetness: The Malt is very similar to the shake but includes malted milk powder, which adds a toasty, slightly nutty flavor.

1. Price & Calorie Range:
   • Small – $3.09 (Approx. 720 Cal)
   • Medium – $4.19 (Approx. 860 Cal)
   • Large – $4.99 (Approx. 1,080 Cal)
2. Key Ingredient: Malted milk powder (often made with barley malt, wheat flour, and milk).
3. Flavor Profile: Subtle hints of caramel and roastiness.
4. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy, plus wheat in the malt powder.

Personal Tip: 

If you grew up on malted milk balls, you’ll love this flavor. It adds a deeper dimension to the usual shake routine.

Culver’s® Root Beer Float

Fizzy Meets Creamy: A blend of sweet root beer and a generous scoop of vanilla custard for a classic soda-shop vibe.

1. Price & Calories: Approx. $3.49 (Around 440 Cal)
2. Ingredients: Signature root beer (carbonated water, sweeteners, flavorings) plus Vanilla Fresh Frozen Custard.
3. Taste Sensation: Refreshingly bubbly with the creamy counterpoint of custard.
4. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy (the custard portion).

Personal Tip: 

Stir it gently with a spoon to combine the flavors, or sip straight for distinct layers of fizzy root beer and smooth vanilla.

Turtle Sundae

A Sweet-Salty Classic: Vanilla custard topped with hot fudge, caramel sauce, and chopped pecans.

1. Price & Calories: Approx. $4.99 (Around 610 Cal)
2. Core Ingredients: Vanilla custard, hot fudge, caramel, pecans, whipped cream, and usually a cherry.
3. Why You’ll Love It: It balances sweet fudge, buttery caramel, and crunchy pecans.
4. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy.

Personal Tip: 

If you love layered flavors, chocolate, caramel, and salty pecans, this is your dream sundae.

Cake Pop

Single-Serve Fun: A miniature confetti cake ball, coated in blue icing and bright sprinkles.

1. Price & Calories: Around $1.49 (150 Cal)
2. Taste & Texture: Tender cake center with a firm, sweet coating.
3. Portion Size: Ideal for a quick bite without the fullness of a sundae or shake.
4. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy (coating, cake ingredients).

Personal Tip: 

Great for kids (or the kid in you) when you want a small burst of sweetness.

Create Your Own Dish

Unexpected Flexibility: While it’s oddly placed in the dessert category, you can theoretically combine custard-based elements with other bases and toppings.

1. Price & Calorie Range: Approx. $6.99 (Varies from 500 to 700+ Cal)
2. Ingredients: Potentially includes mashed potatoes, broccoli, grilled chicken, cheese, chili, etc.
3. Allergens: Nuts, Dairy, plus more depending on your choices.

Personal Note: 

This is more of a meal concept than a straightforward dessert. Ask staff if you want dessert items in the dish or if it’s just a mislabeled item.

Fanta® Orange Float

Tart and Creamy Combo: If you love orange creamsicles, this float merges Fanta® Orange Soda with Vanilla Custard.

1. Price & Calories: Approx. $3.49 (550 Cal)
2. Flavor Profile: Bright, citrusy, and sweet, finishing with that creamy custard mouthfeel.
3. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy (custard).

Personal Tip: 

Perfect for hot days when you want a fruity twist instead of traditional root beer.

Caramel Cashew Sundae

Sweet & Crunchy Marvel: Vanilla custard layered with salted caramel sauce and roasted cashews.

1. Price & Calories: Around $4.99 (610 Cal)
2. Taste Elements: Buttery caramel sauce, crunchy salty cashews, and silky custard.
3. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy.

Personal Tip: 

If you can’t get enough salty-sweet combos, this sundae is a must-try. The cashews add an addictive crunch.

Handpacked Pint

Take-Home Delight: Bring home any custard flavor in a pint, perfect for personal indulgence or small gatherings.

1. Price & Calorie Range: $5.99; anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500+ Cal total (flavor dependent).
2. Choose Your Mix-Ins: Whether chocolate chips, cookie dough, or fruit, you can customize your pint.
3. Potential Allergens: Nuts, Dairy, possibly more depending on flavor.

Personal Tip: 

Handy for hosting or if you simply want to enjoy Culver’s custard at your leisure. Keep it frozen and enjoy it by the scoop whenever a craving hits.

Shake vs. Malt vs. Float – Quick Distinctions

1. Shake: Thicker than a milkshake at many restaurants; you can pick flavors and sometimes add syrups.
2. Malt: Similar to a shake but includes malted milk powder, giving a vintage, toasty sweetness.
3. Floats: Soda-based, so you’ll get carbonation plus the creamy custard. Great if you want a fizz and a scoop of ice-cold dessert.

Culver’s Sweet Philosophy

Every dessert here is built around Fresh Frozen Custard. What sets it apart is the daily churn process using farm-fresh dairy, which maintains a dense, silky texture. Whether you choose a simple shake or a multi-layer sundae, you’re getting a sweet treat with a notable creaminess that’s hard to find in standard ice cream.

1. Freshness: Many items are assembled upon order to ensure the custard doesn’t melt prematurely.
2. Variety: You can keep it simple with a single flavor or go wild with multiple sauces and toppings.

Price & Allergen Reminders

1. Prices may fluctuate by location and can slightly increase if you add extra toppings or special requests.
2. Allergens mainly involve Dairy and Nuts, but specific toppings may introduce wheat or soy, so it’s best to confirm with the restaurant if you have sensitivities.

Final Thoughts

Culver’s Frozen Custard & Desserts go far beyond typical soft-serve. Each creation has a distinctive twist, whether it’s the bright zing of a Fanta® Orange Float or the cozy sweetness of a Caramel Cashew Sundae. If you’re craving a thick, customizable dessert, the Concrete Mixer® is your best bet. On the other hand, a Root Beer Float or Fanta® Orange Float delivers old-school soda-shop vibes. And for those extra-special times, a Turtle Sundae or Caramel Cashew Sundae provides layers of flavor in one indulgent cup.

No matter your preference, chocolate, fruit, caramel, or nuts, you’ll find plenty of reasons to come back for another sweet treat. Enjoy exploring the menu, and don’t forget to save room after your burger for one of these delightful desserts!