Tear a page from the American cookbook with this recipe for a vanilla milkshake — a yummy mélange of ice cream, milk, and vanilla topped with whipped cream and garnished with sprinkles for that ultimate hot summer treat.
Is it a food you eat? Is it a drink you, um… drink? Is it a dessert or can I have it alongside my main meal?
Yes. The answer is yes.
Whatever milkshakes are, you need to eat/drink them whenever and wherever possible because they are just so yummy. In fact, I’ve never met a milkshake I didn’t like. True story.
Milkshakes are also as American as apple pie so it’s your patriotic duty (those of you in America, at least) to keep the milkshake industry thriving by consuming them as often as you can (well, not THAT often; they’re not exactly made with vegetables, y’know? That said, take a look at the ‘Notes’ in the recipe card for a healthy alternative).
Milkshakes come in a multitude of flavors (just take a gander at the ‘Variations’ section) but for simplicity’s sake, I have made here your typical vanilla. Have it as I have prescribed here (trust me, nothing wrong with a vanilla milkshake) or switch things up by adding your own favorite ingredients. Get the kids involved and let them customize their own.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make with just three simple ingredients.
- Perfect for a hot summer day or as a dessert for any occasion.
- Creamy and delicious to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Have a kids’ party coming up? Why not have a milkshake station. You’ll have to operate the blender but you could have each guest choose their favorite ice cream and topping to add.
Ingredients
The Milkshakes:
- 5 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
The Toppings:
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
Prep time – 5 minutes
Cooking time – N/A
Yields – 2 servings
How To Make A Vanilla Milkshake
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl, if using a stick blender. Otherwise, add to a blender jug.
- Blend together until smooth. (Optional: You can brush maple syrup or honey around the rim and then dip the top end of the glass into a bowl of sprinkles to create a colorful rim.) Pour the shake into your glass and add your favorite toppings.
Variations
If I were lazy, I would simply tell you to vary up your milkshake by using a different flavor of ice cream. But I am NOT lazy. So, here in slightly greater detail:
Chocolate Vanilla Swirl: Give the vanilla ice cream some company by adding chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, and/or chocolate ice cream. (Note the AND/or. Yes, I encourage you to add all three.)
Strawberry Vanilla: Another “and/or” situation. Add fresh or frozen strawberries and/or strawberry ice cream for a fruity version of the classic iced treat.
Cookies and Cream: When making this version, I usually just use cookies ‘n’ cream ice cream instead of vanilla and leave it at that; however, feel free to add crushed cookies (Oreos work well).
Salted Caramel: A savory take on something sweet. Drizzle some salted caramel sauce into your vanilla milkshake or, if you can’t find any, sprinkle the milkshake with sea salt and use regular caramel for a delectable combination.
Mint Chocolate Chip: Two of my fave flavors together. Use mint chocolate chip ice cream instead of vanilla and/or (are you sensing a trend here?) add chocolate chips and a bit of mint extract for a dessert that freshens your breath.
Peanut Butter Vanilla: Add a dollop of peanut butter (I prefer the all-natural stuff but if you want that added salt, go with the processed stuff).
Tropical Twist: Pretend you’re in the Caribbean with this island version of the vanilla milkshake. Add a splash of pineapple juice, a scoop of coconut ice cream, or some diced mango.
Pumpkin Pie: Want a cold treat that will somehow warm you up? Sprinkle in some spices with your pumpkin puree for a sweet holiday treat.
FAQs
Yes, but using whole milk will give the milkshake a creamier texture.
Sure, you can make it any flavor you like.
It’s better to have it straight away. What’s more, you will need to blend it again anyway if it freezes, and it will become icy and lose that creamy consistency.
How to Store Vanilla Milkshakes
If you read the FAQs, you’ll know that I don’t recommend freezing your milkshake. It loses its consistency and you only end up having to blend it again anyway. Plus, given how easy these milkshakes are to make, I recommend chugging back ALL the milkshake left so that there are no leftovers. If you do want to store it though, you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days; it will melt but if you don’t mind that, this is one storage option. If you want to put it in the freezer, I recommend putting it in an airtight container and keeping it away from the door so that its temperature doesn’t fluctuate. It should last for up to 2 months. Before eating/drinking it, let it thaw a bit in the fridge. Do NOT leave it out at room temperature; it’s dairy, after all.
Delicious Vanilla Milkshake
Ingredients
The Milkshakes:
- 5 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
The Toppings:
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl, if using a stick blender. Otherwise, add to a blender jug.
- Blend together until smooth. Pour into your glasses and add your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Yes, you can make a healthier version of this milkshake by substituting frozen yogurt and almond/soy milk for the ice cream and whole milk, respectively. Yes, this will change the taste and consistency, so you will need to experiment until your idea of perfection is attained. You can also forgo the sprinkles and whipped cream and instead, blend it up with berries and all-natural peanut butter (again, it’s up to you to figure out which combination you prefer).
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