Give those candy canes something delicious to do! This peppermint milkshake blends creamy vanilla ice cream with a gentle peppermint flavor, little candy crunches and dark chocolate flecks for a festive treat that won’t overwhelm your taste buds.
Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Milkshakes
- Mild peppermint flavor. The mint comes from crushed candy canes, letting the creamy vanilla shine through without adding peppermint extract.
- Creamy with a little crunch. Blending the candy in two stages adds peppermint flavor throughout the shake while leaving little candy pieces and chocolate flecks in every sip.
- Festive with simple ingredients. Vanilla ice cream, milk, peppermint candy and dark chocolate come together in a holiday treat with no separate food coloring needed.
Ingredients for Peppermint Milkshake
Grab those candy canes and some ice cream to make your new favorite winter frozen treat! A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Vanilla ice cream: Premium, full-fat vanilla ice cream gives this milkshake a rich flavor and thick, creamy texture. Let it soften just enough to scoop easily while keeping it cold. For extra peppermint-y flavor use peppermint ice cream.
- Whole milk: Cold whole milk helps the ice cream blend into a drinkable shake. Start with the amount listed in the recipe and add more only if needed.
- Peppermint candies or candy canes: These provide all the peppermint flavor, along with little crunchy pieces. Choose red-and-white, peppermint-flavored candy canes if you want the classic flavor and a soft pink tint.
- Pure vanilla extract: This optional addition rounds out the peppermint flavor and gives the vanilla base a little extra warmth.
- Dark chocolate: Shaved dark chocolate adds delicate chocolate flecks and balances the sweetness of the ice cream and candy.
- Optional toppings: Whipped cream (or peppermint whipped cream!) and mini candy canes make a fun finishing touch. Reserve some of the measured crushed candy and shaved chocolate for sprinkling over the top.
How to Make A Peppermint Milkshake (Step-by-Step)
With a blender and a few minutes, you’ll have this treat ready in no time!
- Crush the candy. Place the unwrapped peppermint candies or candy canes in a sturdy zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Measure after crushing.
- Blend the base. Combine the vanilla ice cream, cold milk, 2 tablespoons of the crushed peppermint candy and the optional vanilla extract in a high-powered blender. Pulse until creamy and the candy is finely blended. Red-and-white candies may give the shake a pale pink tint.
- Add the crunch. Add another 2 tablespoons of crushed peppermint candy and half of the shaved dark chocolate. Pulse just once or twice to distribute the pieces.
- Pour and garnish. Divide between serving glasses. Top with whipped cream, the remaining crushed candy and shaved chocolate, and mini candy canes if desired. Serve immediately with a wide straw or long spoon.
Chef Tips for a Perfect Milkshake
- Soften the ice cream just enough to scoop. Melted ice cream makes a thinner shake before you even add the milk.
- Measure the crushed candy. Candy canes come in different sizes, so a measured amount gives you a more consistent peppermint flavor.
- Keep the candy pieces small. Fine crumbs blend into the base more easily, while small pieces added at the end provide crunch without leaving big chunks.
- Add extra milk slowly. If the blender needs help or the shake is too thick, add milk a tablespoon at a time.
- Use chocolate shavings. Thin shavings distribute easily and are more pleasant to sip than large, hard chocolate chips.
- Stop blending once it comes together. The final pulses should mix in the candy and chocolate while preserving their texture.
- Chill your glasses. Put them in the freezer while you prepare the ingredients to help keep the milkshakes cold.
- Let the color vary. Different candy brands produce different shades of pink. There’s no need to add food coloring to match a photograph.
Variations
There are plenty of ways you can make this peppermint milkshake your own.
- Chocolate peppermint milkshake: Swap some or all of the vanilla ice cream for chocolate ice cream.
- White chocolate peppermint milkshake: Use finely shaved white chocolate instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter twist.
- Simple candy cane milkshake: Leave out the chocolate and finish with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candy.
- Mini Christmas milkshakes: Divide the mixture among small glasses for little holiday dessert servings. Add the toppings just before serving.
FAQs
It is designed to have a mild peppermint flavor with plenty of creamy vanilla. The intensity will vary depending on your candy brand. For a little more mint, pulse in a small amount of additional crushed candy, taste and adjust.
Yes. Hard peppermint candies, such as peppermint starlight mints, work well. Crush them first and measure the crushed candy rather than substituting by candy count.
Too much milk, melted ice cream or extended blending can make it thin. Blend in more vanilla ice cream to thicken it, and add any extra milk gradually.
Absolutely. Leave out the shaved dark chocolate for a simple candy cane milkshake with vanilla and peppermint flavor.
You can freeze it in a freezer-safe container, but it will become firm and the candy texture may change. Let it soften slightly, then briefly reblend with a splash of milk as needed. Add fresh toppings after blending.
More Fun Frozen Treats
Whether you’re craving something sweet or want something to cool you down, these frozen treats are the answer.
Peppermint Milkshake Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream , slightly softened, preferably premium full-fat ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk , cold, plus more as needed
- 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes , approximately 5 to 6 small candy canes, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract , optional, to round out the mint flavor
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate , shaved and divided
Instructions
- In a high powered blender, combine the 4 cups vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup whole milk , ⅛ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Pulse until smooth. The mixture should be a pale pink and pieces of candy cane nearly dissolved.
- Add ⅛ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes and 1 tablespoons dark chocolate, giving it 1-2 pulses to mix, but not pulverize.
- Pour the milkshake into prepared malt glasses. Garnish and top with mini candy canes, whipped cream and the remaining ⅛ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes and 1 tablespoons dark chocolate. Serve immediately with a wide mouth straw or long malt spoon.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
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