• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Spoon Fork BaconSpoon Fork Bacon
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Twitter
    • TikTok
  • What’s for Dinner?
  • Recipes By Category
  • Most Recent
  • Contact
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes By Category
  • Most Recent
  • What’s for Dinner?
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Twitter
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home > Blog > Desserts > Milkshake Recipe

    Milkshake Recipe

    by Jenny Park · Published: May 21, 2023

    Jump to Recipe
    Follow this simple guide for how to make our simple Milkshake Recipe to enjoy a perfectly creamy, decadent dessert anytime the craving strikes!
    Milkshake recipes in three glasses in different flavors.

    Making a milkshake may seem like a no-brainer – it’s just ice cream and milk, after all! But the ratio of ice cream to milk makes all the difference.

    Too much milk, and you end up with a soupy (but sweet) slurry. Too much ice cream, and you need a spoon to eat it. We like our milkshakes to have a rich, thick, and creamy consistency that still slips through a straw.

    All you need is ice cream, milk, a blender, and this simple guide on how to make the best milkshake at home for a delicious sweet treat any time the craving strikes!

    Milkshake recipe ingredients on a kitchen counter.

    How to Make a Milkshake

    1. Allow ice cream to sit out for about 7 minutes to soften slightly. Transfer ice cream into a blender with milk.
    2. Blend on low until smooth and creamy – 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    Ice cream and milk in a blender.
    A blended up milkshake still int he blender.
    1. Drizzle caramel sauce around the inner sides of a glass (if using). Pour the milkshake into the prepared glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. Serve immediately.
    A strawberry milkshake in a glass with a cherry on top.

    Tips and Tricks for Making the BEST Milkshake

    Follow the 5:1 ratio. Are you making a milkshake for yourself or a crowd? We’ve found that a 5:1 ratio of ice cream to milk has the perfect texture, but feel free to make it 4:1 if you like your milkshakes a little thinner.

    Soften your ice cream first. Straight out of the freezer, ice cream is rock-hard and difficult to scoop. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it’s slightly softened, and you can easily scoop it out. This helps it blend more easily without having to add more milk.

    Don’t add mix-ins or toppings until the end. For any of the flavor variations below, get your milkshake to the consistency you want before adding extras. This way, you can chop them up small but not so small that they completely blend with the ice cream, changing the overall flavor and texture.

    Use whole milk. You can use skim, 1%, or 2% milk, but whole milk will give you ice cream shop-quality shakes.

    Use frozen glasses. This is especially helpful on warm days! To keep your milkshake from melting as soon as it hits the glass, freeze the glasses for at least a couple of hours so everything stays chilled while you sip.

    Don’t over-blend. You only need about 30-60 seconds to whip everything together. Over-blending will heat things up and make your shake runny, regardless of the ratio of ice cream to milk you use.

    Caramel milkshake in a glass with whipped cream and a cherry.

    Flavor and Mix-in Variations

    We like to keep things classic with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry (and maybe a little caramel sauce drizzled inside), but the flavor variations are endless.

    When adding larger pieces of cookies or candies, get your milkshake to the right consistency, add your mix-ins, and blend for an extra 20-30 seconds until the pieces are just small enough to suck through a straw.

    Try some of these fun milkshake flavors:

    • Chocolate lovers. Want chocolate instead? Use chocolate milk and chocolate ice cream, add chocolate syrup drizzle to the glass, chocolate chips, and brownie.
    • Strawberry shortcake. Vanilla ice cream, whole milk, frozen strawberries, and graham cracker pieces. Drizzle the glass with strawberry syrup and top with whipped cream and more graham cracker crumbs.
    • Birthday cake. Use vanilla ice cream and whole milk, 1/2 a teaspoon of birthday cake or cake batter extract, and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.
    • Almond joy. Use vanilla ice cream, coconut milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. Drizzle chocolate syrup in the glass and top with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, shredded coconut, and sliced almonds.
    • Dairy free. You can easily make a dairy-free milkshake at home by using dairy-free ice cream and plant-based milk. Coconut, oat, and soy milk are great options because they are thick and creamy compared to other plant-based milk.

    Or make your own by combining any of these delicious mix-ins:

    • Cookies. Try chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, brownies, shortbread, or thin mint cookies.
    • Coffee or tea. Add 1-2 teaspoons of finely ground espresso, matcha powder, or hot cocoa mix.
    • Flavor extracts. If you want a different flavor base than vanilla, add half a teaspoon of extracts like lemon, almond, birthday cake, or caramel.
    • Fruit. Add half a cup of frozen or fresh fruit. Try strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, bananas, or mango.
    • Nut butter and spreads. Add extra richness with peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, or any jam or jelly flavor.
    • Nuts. When adding hard foods, it’s a good idea to add them pre-ground so they’re small enough to go through a straw. Add walnuts, pecans, almonds, or peanuts.
    Chocolate milkshake in a glass with chocolate syrup.

    More Milkshake Topping Options

    Syrup drizzle. Add any syrup flavor to the inside of your glass and on top. Chocolate, caramel, butterscotch, and strawberry are some of our favorites!

    Crunchy toppings: Anything small or that you can crumble can top your milkshake. Try graham crackers, waffle cones, shredded coconut, candy bar pieces, or chocolate chips.

    Make it boozy. Add a shot of your favorite liquor or liqueur. Rum, vodka, bourbon, and Buttershot or peach schnapps are all fun options. You can even top your milkshake with bourbon-infused cherries!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • How do you thicken a milkshake? If your milkshake is too runny, just add another scoop of ice cream and blend for another 30 seconds. If it’s extra hot out, freeze your blender canister and glasses 1-2 hours before making your shake to keep things frosty!
    • Do you put ice in a milkshake? A milkshake is just milk and ice cream. If you add ice, the shake will become watery and won’t have the smooth creaminess you expect from a quality shake.
    • Can you make a milkshake ahead of time? We don’t recommend making a milkshake ahead of time as the consistency will never be as smooth and creamy as it will be right after blending. You could make it, freeze it in an ice cube tray, and then let it thaw out again, but the texture will be off and not nearly as delicious!

    Our Favorite Foods to Enjoy with Our Milkshake Recipe

    There are no rules on when to enjoy a homemade milkshake, but if you’re looking for the perfect meal to pair one with, we have a few options!

    • With a Jucy Lucy Burger and Onion Rings
    • A Roast Beef Sandwich and Baby Bloomin Onions
    • Steak Sandwich and Polenta Fries
    • Animal Style Fries
    Milkshakes made from the same base recipe in different flavors.

    More Delicious Ice Cream Recipes You Will Love

    • A close up of salted cantaloupe ginger ice cream with an ice cream scoop.
      Salted Cantaloupe and Ginger Ice Cream
    • A close up of homemade ice cream cones on a marble countertop.
      Homemade Ice Cream Cones
    • A close up of a sweet corn ice cream sandwich.
      Sweet Corn Ice Cream (Sandwiches)
    • Creme Brulee frozen custard with a cracked topping and spoon in it.
      Crème Brûlée Frozen Custard

    Hungry for more?

    Subscribe to never miss a recipe.

    EmailPinTweetShareYummly
    Milkshakes made from the same base recipe in different flavors.

    Milkshake Recipe

    5 from 1 vote
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    Follow this simple guide for how to make our simple Milkshake Recipe to enjoy a perfectly creamy, decadent dessert anytime the craving strikes!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 1

      INGREDIENTS  

    Milkshake

    • 2 1/2 cups high quality vanilla ice cream (or strawberry or chocolate)
    • 1/2 cup cold whole milk

    Optional Toppings

    • whipped cream
    • sprinkles
    • caramel/chocolate syrup
    • maraschino cherry

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    • Allow ice cream to sit out for about 7 minutes to soften.
    • Transfer ice cream into a blender with milk.
    • Blend on low until smooth and creamy – 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    • Drizzle caramel or chocolate sauce around the inner sides of a glass (if using).
    • Pour milkshake into prepared glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. Serve immediately.

      NOTES  

    **Nutritional Information does not include optional toppings and is based on the vanilla ice cream variety**
    Tips and Tricks for Making the BEST Milkshake
    Follow the 5:1 ratio. Are you making a milkshake for yourself or a crowd? We’ve found that a 5:1 ratio of ice cream to milk has the perfect texture, but feel free to make it 4:1 if you like your milkshakes a little thinner.
    Soften your ice cream first. Straight out of the freezer, ice cream is rock-hard and difficult to scoop. Let it sit for 5-7 minutes until it’s slightly softened, and you can easily scoop it out. This helps it blend more easily without having to add more milk.
    Don’t add mix-ins or toppings until the end. For any of the flavor variations below, get your milkshake to the consistency you want before adding extras. This way, you can chop them up small but not so small that they completely blend with the ice cream, changing the overall flavor and texture.
    Use whole milk. You can use skim, 1%, or 2% milk, but whole milk will give you ice cream shop-quality shakes.
    Use frozen glasses. This is especially helpful on warm days! To keep your milkshake from melting as soon as it hits the glass, freeze the glasses for at least a couple of hours so everything stays chilled while you sip.
    Don’t over-blend. You only need about 30-60 seconds to whip everything together. Over-blending will heat things up and make your shake runny, regardless of the ratio of ice cream to milk you use.
    Calories: 756kcal Carbohydrates: 84g Protein: 16g Fat: 40g Saturated Fat: 25g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 11g Cholesterol: 160mg Sodium: 310mg Potassium: 840mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 76g Vitamin A: 1587IU Vitamin C: 2mg Calcium: 572mg Iron: 0.3mg
    CUISINE: American
    KEYWORD: frozen treat, milkshake recipe, perfect milkshake
    COURSE: Dessert

    You Might Also Love...

    • Banana, coconut, and honey cream tarts with a spoon.Banana, Coconut and Honey-Cream Tarts
    • Three cups of banana pudding and one with a spoon in it.Classic Banana Pudding Recipe
    • Browned Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches stacked on a platter.Brown Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches

    May 21, 2023 / Leave a Comment

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

    Previous Post: < Previous Post Homemade Lemonade Recipe
    Next Post: Strawberry Lemonade Next Post >

    Reader Interactions

    May 21, 2023 / Leave a Comment

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    HI! WE ARE GLAD YOU'RE HERE!

    Teri and Jenny of Spoon Fork Bacon

    We hope you find something you love in
    our little corner of the internet.
    XOXOXO, Teri + Jenny

    ABOUT US

    As Featured On

    A complication of logos showcasing where Spoon Fork Bacon has been featured. Including delish, today show, cosmopolitan, good morning america, domino, good housekeeping, william sonoma, and country living.

    Asian Inspired

    BBQ

    PORK

    DESSERT

    For Dinner Tonight

    • Char siu pork on a cutting board. Easy Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)
    • Garlic noodles garnished with cheese on a blue plate with a fork. Garlic Noodles
    • Chili Cornbread Casserole in a skillet with a scoop taken out. Chili Cornbread Casserole
    • A platter of Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches with fries next to it. Philly Cheesesteak
    • Fried rice in a bowl. The BEST Fried Rice Recipe
    • Chicken milanese recipe on two plate with forks and knives. Chicken Milanese

    Popular Now

    • Baked egg boats with a knife. Baked Egg Boats
    • A sliced bacon, cheddar, and chive quiche with hash brown crust. Hash Brown Crust Bacon and Cheddar Quiche
    • Mongolian Beef recipe in a platter ready to be served. Mongolian Beef Recipe
    • Tomato soup recipe in two bowls with garlic bread on the side. Tomato Soup Recipe
    • Panfried potstickers with ramekin of sauce. Potstickers
    • Baked hot honey chicken sandwiches on a cutting board. Baked Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich with Honey

    Footer

    As Featured On
    As featured on graphic.

    GET NEW RECIPES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • TikTok

    All content including images © 2011-2022 Teri Lyn Fisher & Jenny Park. Stealing is bad karma.

    Spoon Fork Bacon contains paid advertising banners and occasionally affiliate links, and sponsored posts.
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Sponsored posts are indicated at the start of such posts. All of our opinions are always our own.
    Thank you for supporting our sponsors. It helps us pay to run this site and bring you unique and original recipes.

    Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement

    Milkshakes made from the same base recipe in different flavors.
    Caramel milkshake in a glass with whipped cream and a cherry.
    A strawberry milkshake in a glass with a cherry on top.
    Chocolate milkshake in a glass with chocolate syrup.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.