McFlurry spoons’ square handles were a source of intrigue for fans. Here's the scoop on why McDonald's changed them.
Here’s What Happened to the Hollow McFlurry Spoons
Updated on Apr. 30, 2025
Ah, the McFlurry. The classic McDonald’s soft-serve dessert blended with various toppings is a crowd favorite—and for good reason. If you had a McFlurry in the past, or at least saw one, you may have noticed the oddly shaped McFlurry spoons. But those quirky utensils are no more. What gives?
For years, the spoon, with its square handle, hollow middle and hook, was a true McDonald’s mystery. But not long ago, a different sort of spoon started cropping up in McFlurries across the country. We’re here to dive into the history, so read on for everything you need to know about McFlurry spoons.
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What was the original McFlurry spoon design?
In the past, McFlurries came with chunky, square, hollow-handled spoons. And they completely befuddled McFlurry fans.
Many people assumed they could use the hollow spoon like a straw. But because the McFlurry is so thick, the ice cream just couldn’t make it up. So why exactly would the spoon be hollow?
It turns out, McDonald’s used the spoons to help blend the McFlurry. The hollow handle fit snugly into the machine that blends in the toppings. After an employee used the soft-serve McDonald’s ice cream machine to fill the cup, they scooped your topping of choice onto the ice cream, pushed the handle of the spoon into the blender and held it there as the spoon spun. The process ended when the toppings were evenly mixed in.
This gave the McFlurry its creamy texture and ensured that there were toppings in every bite. The spoon slid easily off the mixer, and the employee promptly served the sweet treat to the customer. Cool, right?
Using McFlurry spoons to mix the ice cream and the toppings made the process significantly easier for McDonald’s employees. This reduced the time it took to make a McFlurry by eliminating additional parts that needed to be cleaned between uses. Plus, it made the McDonald’s bestseller more sanitary for the customer.
Why did the McDonald’s McFlurry spoon change?
While that clever design served McFlurry lovers (and McDonald’s employees) well for years, in October 2023, McDonald’s announced that these square-handled spoons would be phased out across U.S. locations, marking the end of an era. So why change McFlurry spoons? According to McDonald’s corporate, it is all part of the company’s commitment to Mother Earth.
Those larger plastic spoons contributed to single-use plastic waste, and the fast-food giant had a clever replacement ready to go: a more sustainable system that uses a reusable spindle for mixing and a smaller plastic spoon for eating. McDonald’s called it a “sustainable glow-up.”
How did consumers react to the new McFlurry spoons?
When news broke about the McFlurry spoons’ makeover, social media lit up with reactions. Many McDonald’s fans expressed both surprise and a touch of nostalgia for the quirky utensil.
While some customers shed virtual tears over the loss of the iconic spoon, others gave a thumbs-up to the environmental benefits of this fast-food innovation.
Don’t worry—your favorite frozen treat isn’t going anywhere! With the new, smaller black spoon, enjoying a McFlurry might feel a little different, but the deliciousness remains unchanged. If you notice your toppings aren’t perfectly blended, just give everything a good stir yourself.
How is McDonald’s addressing environmental concerns?
This wasn’t just a random change—it was part of McDonald’s bigger promise to source 100% of its packaging from renewable, recycled or certified materials by the end of 2025. That means reducing the environmental impact of McFlurry spoons and other utensils and packaging.
As part of the plan, the brand rolled out new four-flap McFlurry cups made from sustainable fibers at the end of 2024. It’s even exploring wooden cutlery in some international markets.
In the end, it’s the same great McFlurry taste, just with a side of eco-consciousness. Now that’s a sweet deal!
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Sources:
- McDonald’s: “McDonald’s Canada is going back in time with the ’95 McFlurry”
- BuzzFeed: “Here’s Why The McFlurry Spoon Looks The Way It Does”
- McDonald’s: “McFlurry Spindles in the U.S. Are Getting a More Sustainable Makeover”
- McDonald’s: “Meet the New Mini McFlurry and More Sustainable 4-Flap Cups”
- McDonald’s: “McDonald’s Hong Kong Switches to Wooden Cutlery to Reduce Plastic Waste”
- McDonald’s: “Packaging, Toys & Waste”
