It’s pretty unusual for me to order something where I have no clue what it is. However, when I ordered the new Heath Brownie Caramel Cupfection at Dairy Queen, I didn’t know what I was getting.
Well, that’s not entirely true. I knew that it would have ice cream and at least the ingredients listed in the title, but I didn’t know much beyond that. Was it a shake? A sundae? What in God’s name is a “Cupfection?”
My treat was served on one of those ubiquitous little cardboard drink trays that DQ uses for ice cream and drinks, and it looked basically like a shake with abundant toppings. “Okay,” I thought, “So a ‘cupfection’ is just a fancy name for a shake; I can handle this.” Seeing all the different layers on top and the pure white soft-serve on the bottom, I assumed I was supposed to mix it all up, which sounded fun. However, I soon realized there is no mixing this thing up because there is an entire freakin’ brownie sitting on top of the treat, and you need to fully consume the brownie before you can access most of the ice cream. I had originally assumed that the “brownie” in the title must refer to small chunks in the mix, but oh, no: this thing is massive.
In addition to the brownie, this thing also has a river of caramel and Heath bar pieces. The only time I see Heath bars available in any form is as an optional ice cream topping that I never order, so I didn’t know what they tasted like, and to be honest, I still don’t. Their flavor is totally overpowered by everything else that’s going on here. What the Heath bar pieces do is provide a highly satisfying crunch that serves as a contrast to the abundant, sticky caramel and the chocolatey gooeyness of the brownie.
I started to feel a little sick about two-thirds of the way through, but for some reason, I felt compelled to finish it, maybe to prove my mettle as a dessert eater? I’m not sure what I thought I was accomplishing, but I did eat the whole thing and then felt sick for about two hours afterwards. Do I regret it? Not really; it was nice to have a sugary treat that completely satisfied my gargantuan sweet tooth, which is never truly content with more reasonable portions.
DQ’s website says that this thing has 760 calories, and I frankly think that’s a lie. I know what a 1,000-calorie-plus treat tastes like, and that’s what this thing tasted like. Maybe I got a larger brownie than usual, but 760 just sounds small for this brownie-laden monstrosity. I guess we’ll never know.
If reading this makes you Cupfection-curious, be aware that there’s also a Brownie and Oreo Cupfection that comes with marshmallow topping and chocolate sauce. The caramel was such a prominent part of the experience that I’m genuinely curious what a version without caramel would taste like. But I won’t find out for a while because I don’t trust myself to order one of these again. I guess I could always get one and split it with my husband, but let’s be honest, I’d just promise certain favors until he gave in and let me eat his half too.
Purchased Price: $5.59
Size: n/a
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 760 calories, 29 grams of fat, 14 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 117 grams of carbohydrates, 390 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of fiber, 90 grams of sugar, 65 milligrams of cholesterol, and 11 grams of protein.
Heath bars are underrated although the miniature size is just enough in my opinion. Do yourself a favor and grab a Halloween mix that includes these little gems.
ITA! Heath (and Skor) are amazing little treats…and this is coming from someone who really does not care for sweets, at all.
Now I have a craving for toffee; darn it!
i’ve always preferred Skor to Heath, mostly because the chocolate coating is a little thinner and a little less sweet. actually l like that the whole thing is thinner/flatter and the toffee gets more satisfyingly brittle as you eat it.
i would’ve guessed that a “Cupfection” would have cake (or maybe that brownie) on the bottom.. for some reason the name brings to mind those awful cupcakes baked in the flat-bottomed ice cream cones that were ubiquitous at every class party when i was in elementary school.
i also don’t believe that calorie count. no way.
I agree with both you and Jane: The chocolate on both Heath and Skor are the least enjoyable parts, by far. I just want the toffee part, frankly. Come to think of it, I also feel that way about Hershey’s PB Cups. That’s why I like the holiday-shaped ones better than the everyday ones: The shaped ones have far less chocolate, covering them.
I’m mad that they’re covered in chocolate. It would be so much better without it, IMHO. I have to scrape it all off with my teeth, so I don’t buy it often due to the annoyance factor.
Heath Bar brickle baking chips make an interesting alternative to chocolate chips when making cookies from scratch.
I love using those brickle bits!
Yes, I have a huge sweet tooth, so I plan on ordering one.
That looks pretty decadent, but the Brownie & Oreo one sounds great with chocolate sauce.
“So a ‘cupfection’ is just a fancy name for a shake; I can handle this.”
It’s an “a la mode” desert, not even remotely close to a shake. It’s just a Brownie a la mode but with Heath and Carmel added.
Hehe. Thanks for saying what I came to the comment section to do.
I thought it was a shake when I first looked at it, but it became clear that it wasn’t once I got started eating it. I apologize for not being clear.
Based on the description, I was hoping that this would have the look of their Peanut Buster Parfait, but based on the image of the Cupfections on DQ’s website, no such luck. Still looks quite good and I might give one a try next time I’m there.