Any time is a good time to enjoy a cool, creamy milkshake!
They’re the best quick dessert recipe any time of day! Below I share how to make a milkshake, with all kinds of ideas for variations and toppings.
Thick and delicious with whipped cream and a cherry, they’re hard to resist!
- Milkshakes are a classic treat that everyone loves! They’re creamy, refreshing, and perfect on a hot summer day.
- All you need is a few fresh ingredients and a blender.
- Homemade milkshakes are party perfect! Set up a dessert bar with bowls of add-ins, whipped cream, nuts, chocolate sauce, and colorful straws!
Ingredients Needed To Make a Milkshake
Ice Cream – Choose full-fat ice cream for the best consistency! It’s thicker, richer, and holds up better in the blender and when mixed with other ingredients because it has more air whipped into it.
Milk – Choose any kind of milk (or non-dairy milk). Switch out some of the milk for heavy cream for an extra rich and thick shake.
How to Make a Milkshake
- Put milk and ice cream in a blender and blend until smooth. (Add syrup, if desired).
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
- No blender? No problem! Add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk until smooth. This takes a bit longer but it still tastes great!
Amazing Add-Ins
- Syrup: Swirl in chocolate, caramel syrup or even maple syrup in Step 1 or try Nutella or peanut butter for a nutty chocolate milkshake.
- Cookies: Blend in crushed cookies like Oreos, Nutter Butters, or cereals like Fruity Pebbles or crushed Cap’n Crunch by hand before serving.
- Fruit: Fruit like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, or bananas can be added to milkshakes or used as a topping.
- Candy: Add some M&M’s, chocolate chips, or chopped up candy bars.
- For a festive, minty shake, try a McDonald’s copycat version of the shamrock shakes, or make it a grown-up version!
Tips to Make a Thick Milkshake
This milkshake recipe uses an icecream/milk ratio of 1 cup icecream to ⅓ cup whole milk or dairy-free beverage. Adding extra liquid will make the shakes thinner.
- Have all the add-ins and toppings ready before making milkshakes because they can melt quickly once poured into glasses.
- Blend just until smooth, blending too much will make it too soft.
- Don’t add ice cubes, it’ll water down the shake. Frozen fruit can be added.
- If you don’t have a blender, use a food processor or blend in a large bowl with an immersion blender or stick blender.
- Chill milkshake glasses or mason jars in the freezer to keep shakes cold longer!
Ice Cream Faves
What’s your favorite flavor of milkshake? Leave us a comment below!
How to Make a Milkshake
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup milk
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup or mix ins of your choice
- whipped cream for topping optional
Instructions
- Combine milk, chocolate syrup and scoops of ice cream in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Pour into cups and garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Drink
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
I loved your recipe, I’ll try to do this. I hope getting well as good as your milkshake you made.
I don’t see where it says how many servings this receipe makes. Do I need to double it for two(2) servings?
Hi Larry, this recipe makes 2 milkshakes. You can see it right under the recipe name on the recipe card :). Enjoy!!
Now I know how to do it at home!
Awesome
cool
I used a little over 2 cups of ice cream to 2/3 cup of milk and it turned into liquid.
I even added a few scoops on top of that and it still was a thin liquid, like milk.
Next time, I’ll only be adding a splash of milk, not 2/3 cup.
Sorry it didn’t work for you Ray, is it possible that the ice cream was sitting at room temperature for a bit? That could be why it was so thin.
Very easy to follow and came out smooth and yummy. Only thing is it will make 2 tiny milkshake which is sad because of all the ingredients used. … now I know why milkshakes are so calorie and fat dense!! (Not your fault!!!)
Glad you enjoyed them, Christine. Milkshakes are definitely a sweet treat! You can always increase the ingredients used for larger milkshakes
BEST MILKSHAKE LOVE IT
you are the best milkshake maker
So lovely i lyk it
I am interested in knowing how to make a milk shakes drink
What is the best way to make a thick strawberry shake?
To make a thick shake, you’ll want to use frozen strawberries and add just enough milk to be able to blend.
I am interested in knowing how to blend the milkshake
I use a blender. As mentioned in the post, to make a milkshake without a blender, you can simply add the ingredients to a bowl and mix until smooth. This takes a bit longer but still tastes great! Enjoy!
Hi Holly:
What setting do you use on the blender to make a milkshake?
Thank you.
Barbaraanne
Hi Barbaraanne, that will depend on your blender. We start on the low to the medium setting and adjust from there if necessary.
Perfect! My husband is a tough critic and he totally approves! He has asked me to make this several times since I found this recipe. Thank you!
Hi Jackie, I’m so happy you and your husband enjoy this recipe! Thanks so much for the positive feedback :)
I want a complete recipe pls! Thanks.
Hi Evangeline, for the full recipe you can scroll down towards the bottom of the page or click the jump to recipe button at the top.
Good news I love it
Perfect shake! Thank you :)