Banana Milkshake with Vanilla Ice Cream

Introduction

You blend banana, ice cream, milk, and sugar until smooth and creamy, so the whole drink comes together in about 5 minutes. The amount of milk controls the texture, from thick enough for a spoon to thin enough for a glass. A pinch of ground cinnamon is optional but adds a warmer finish.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 large or 2 small bananas
• Vanilla ice cream
• Milk
• Sugar
• Ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Blend the banana, ice cream, sugar, and milk as desired until smooth and creamy.
2. If desired, add a pinch of cinnamon.

Variations

• Use frozen banana instead of fresh banana for a thicker shake that stays cold longer.
• Reduce the milk for a denser, dessert-style texture, or add more milk for a thinner, more drinkable shake.
• Omit the sugar if the bananas are very ripe; the shake will taste less sweet and more strongly of banana.
• Blend the ground cinnamon with the other ingredients instead of adding it at the end if you want the spice distributed through the whole shake.
• Swap the milk for oat milk or almond milk for a lighter body; use a dairy-free ice cream too if you want the full shake dairy-free.

Tips for Success

• Use ripe bananas with some brown speckles so you need less sugar.
• Add the milk a little at a time while blending since it is much easier to thin the shake than to thicken it.
• Stop blending as soon as the mixture is smooth; too much blending melts the ice cream and makes the shake loose.
• If you add cinnamon, start with a small pinch so it does not cover the banana flavor.

Storage and Reheating

This is best served right after blending. If you need to hold it, pour it into an airtight jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 1 day; it will separate, so shake it well or reblend before serving.

Freezing the finished shake is not ideal because it turns icy. If you do freeze it, use popsicle molds or a sealed freezer-safe container and keep it for up to 1 month.

FAQ

Can you use frozen bananas?

Yes. Frozen bananas make the shake thicker and colder, so you may need slightly more milk to get it moving in the blender.

How do you make the milkshake thicker?

Use less milk and start blending with just enough to help the blades catch. Frozen banana also helps.

Can you skip the sugar?

Yes. If your bananas are ripe and the ice cream is already sweet, the shake still works without added sugar.

Can you make this dairy-free?

Yes. Use a plant-based milk and a dairy-free ice cream, and blend the same way.