Vanilla Ice Cream Milkshake

Introduction

This milkshake uses vanilla ice cream, whole milk, and half & half for a thicker texture than milk alone gives you. The blender method is short, and the sugar and vanilla powder (use half this amount if you prefer less rich vanilla flavor) sharpen the vanilla flavor without adding extra steps. It fits when you want a single serving dessert or a quick cold drink with no cooking.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 cups (480 ml) vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) half & half
• 2 ½ tablespoons (35 g) sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon vanilla powder (use half this amount if you prefer less rich vanilla flavor)

Instructions

1. Pour the milk, ice cream, and half & half in a blender and partially blend.
2. Add the sugar and flavoring, and blend until thoroughly mixed.

Variations

• Change the vanilla ice cream to chocolate ice cream if you want a deeper, less purely vanilla flavor and a slightly denser shake.
• Replace the whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter texture; the shake will be a bit less rich and slightly thinner.
• Swap the half & half for more whole milk if you want to reduce richness; the final drink will be easier to sip through a straw.
• Add a spoonful of malted milk powder with the sugar for a diner-style malt flavor and a little more body.
• Use a plant-based vanilla ice cream and unsweetened oat milk for a dairy-free version; expect a softer texture that melts faster.

Tips for Success

• Partially blend the milk, ice cream, and half & half first so the blender can break down the ice cream before the sugar goes in.
• Start with cold milk and half & half to keep the shake thick while you blend.
• Blend only until thoroughly mixed; overblending warms the mixture and makes it thinner.
• If the sugar tastes grainy, blend for a few seconds longer so it fully dissolves into the cold dairy.
• Serve it right after blending, because the texture loosens quickly as the ice cream melts.

Storage and Reheating

Store any extra milkshake in an airtight container or jar. In the fridge, it keeps for up to 4 hours but separates and thins noticeably; in the freezer, it keeps for up to 1 week, though it will become icy.

Do not reheat it. If frozen, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, then reblend to bring back a drinkable texture.

FAQ

Can you make this milkshake thicker?

Yes. Use slightly less whole milk or blend in a little more vanilla ice cream until it reaches the consistency you want.

Why add sugar if the ice cream is already sweet?

The extra sugar boosts the overall sweetness and helps the vanilla flavor stand out more clearly in the finished shake.

Can you make it without half & half?

Yes. Replace it with more whole milk if needed, but the milkshake will be a bit thinner and less rich.

Can you make this ahead of time?

Not ideally. It is best right after blending, because the texture changes quickly as the ice cream melts and the mixture separates.