Name: Creamy Vanilla Milkshake with Sprinkles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 c. rainbow sprinkles; ¼ c. mini-chocolate chips; 3 c. vanilla ice cream; 1 t. real vanilla extract; 1/3 c. whole milk; Whipped cream; Rainbow sprinkles; Maraschino cherries

Creamy, cool and smooth, the milkshake is a classic. Ask my hubby what kind of (non-alcoholic) drink he loves, and it will usually be top of the list. We all see the ready-made products or the ones from certain well known restaurants. But what about making your own?

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Homemade milkshake is really simple, and you get the fun of decorating it how you want! Here is a simple creamy vanilla milkshake recipe complete with chocolate edging and sprinkles to get you started in the world of homemade milkshake drinks!

Can you make a milkshake without ice cream?

As I’m writing this, it is summer, and the idea of ice cream is perfect. But when it is colder, then that tube of frozen stuff isn’t always as attractive. So, can you make a milkshake without ice cream?

The answer is definitely yes! What you do need is a blender to get the milk shaking. For a simple vanilla no ice cream milkshake, take 2 cups of milk, ¾ cup white sugar and a dash of vanilla extract. Add it to the blender with around 12 ice cubes and blender until smooth.

It will still be pretty cold, which is good. But not quite as cold as with ice cream and less likely to give you that headache that comes from eating ice cream sometimes – which just isn’t fun.

What’s the difference between vanilla extract and essence?

In the recipe, you will notice vanilla extract. But what’s the difference between vanilla extract and essence?

Quite a bit actually! Vanilla extract is made by extracting the flavour from vanilla pods using a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water. The flavour of the vanilla is infused into the liquids and creates a strong and genuine vanilla flavour.

Vanilla essence is sometimes not actual vanilla but a chemical flavouring. Either way, it tends to be cheaper but not always have as much taste. Natural vanilla essence is better than the chemical version. But extract will always win out for the quality and flavour so where possible, go with this.

What you need to make a vanilla milkshake

1/3 c. rainbow sprinkles
¼ c. mini-chocolate chips
3 c. vanilla ice cream
1 t. real vanilla extract
1/3 c. whole milk

For Garnish:

Whipped cream
Rainbow sprinkles
Maraschino cherries

Kitchen equipment

Small ramekin
Small glass bowl
Blender

How to make the recipe

STEP 1: Pour the sprinkles on a plate. Place a small ramekin topside down into a small glass bowl wide enough to fit the top of each serving glass into it

STEP 2: Pour the mini chocolate chips around the ramekin. Microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes until the chips melt – check after 90 seconds to make sure

STEP 3: Remove from the microwave and use a fork to break up any remaining chocolate. Dip the top of the glass into the melted chocolate then roll the edge into the sprinkles so they stick to it

STEP 4: Add the ice cream, vanilla extract and milk to a blender then blend on a low speed. Add a little more milk as needed to get the right consistency

STEP 5: Pour into the glasses and top with whipped cream, more sprinkles and a maraschino cherry

Recipe tips

If you don’t want to use the chocolate to coat the edge of the glass, you can use corn syrup instead. Although, for me, there’s no way I’d replace the chocolate!

If you can’t find those mini chocolate chips, use full size one. You will just need to adjust the length of time you microwave them for.

Don’t add ice to the mixture if you are using ice cream as it will water it down too much and you’ll lose that creamy texture.

Yield: 2 glasses