If you look back at some iconic recipes then you’ll surely come across Milkshakes. Americans love milkshakes so much that they can have the drink for breakfast, or lunch or enjoy it as a dessert after dinner.
Not only in the US, but milkshakes are also popular in many countries of the world. In fact, you can easily spot a milkshake van in the streets for instant refreshment.
And the great news of all is, that it is extremely easy to make milkshakes at home with a blender. And nowadays, blenders are a must-have tool in any kitchen. If you already have a nice countertop blender like Blendtec, then making different flavor milkshakes is a breeze.
Yes I know it looks like you only need to add all the milkshake ingredients into the blender jar to make the shake but doing only this will not make you a tasty drink.
There are a few simple things to keep in mind while making a milkshake in the blender and your drink will turn out to be amazing. Keep reading to learn the tricks.
How to Make a Milkshake Using a Blender
Every milkshake requires two basic ingredients that are, ice cream and milk. Then comes the secondary flavoring ingredients or add-ons such as caramel, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, etc.
Once you’ve decided on the flavor of your milkshake, it’s time to take out your blender, set it on the countertop or kitchen island, and start making the delicious drink.
- Soften the Ice Cream: Instead of instantly scooping the ice cream you just took out from your freezer, let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This will soften the ice cream base which will help to blend other ingredients into the cream better. Once the ice cream is soft, add 2-3 full scoops into the blender jar.
- Add Milk: Once you’ve added your favorite ice cream to the blender jar, it’s time to add milk. While you can use the milk of your choice, we suggest using full cream milk for enhanced richness.
- Flavors/Add-Ons: After adding basic ingredients, it’s time to make the milkshake more flavorful by adding your favorite syrups, essence, or add-ons.
- Blend It: When all the milkshake ingredients are inside the jar, put the lid on and turn the blender on with the lowest speed settings. Keep an eye on milkshake consistency as you can change the texture by adding or limiting a few ingredients.
- For instance, you can add more milk into the jar to make a thinner milkshake. Or you could add a spoon or two of heavy cream into the blender for a rich creamy milkshake.
- Serve: When you see all the ingredients inside the jar have mixed properly and your shake has reached desired thickness then it’s time to serve. Add the milkshake to the glass and top it with some whipped cream and a few sprinkles with a cherry on top and a staw on the side to give it a proper iconic look.
Milkshake Flavor Ideas
There are thousands of milkshake flavor ideas you can make at home. With the right measurements and ingredients, you can make some delicious milkshake recipes in a blender. From children to adults, all will fall in love with your homemade milkshake.
But out of so many recipes, how to decide the best one? Well, it is hard to pick the best when everyone has a different taste.
However, some evergreen ingredients simply exist to enhance flavor and sometimes lift the mood of people. Yes, we are talking about vanilla and chocolate.
No matter where you go, you can find vanilla and chocolate milkshake easily. And you know why? Because who hates chocolate right? It is well said that chocolate can go with anything and chocolate milkshakes prove the statement just to the point.
You can try out a variety of milkshakes with vanilla and chocolate.
For example, add a few chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnut to a vanilla milkshake for increased nutritional value.
Or you can use a chocolate ice cream base and pair it with cookies or brownies to make a rich, filling chocolaty milkshake for kids.
However, milkshakes are not only about sugars and fat. You can also make healthy milkshakes in a blender by choosing healthy ingredients.
A Banana Oat Milkshake, Blueberry Milkshake, Watermelon Coconut Milkshake, Strawberry Milkshake, etc are some healthy alternatives to chocolate and vanilla.
And if you want some change to your regular milkshake recipe then try adding peanut butter. Nowadays, Peanut butter milkshake is on the storm as it is preferred by people hitting the gym. When combined with coconut milk and cream, peanut butter tastes heavenly, plus it is packed with good nutrition.
FAQ
How long should I blend a milkshake?
Blend all the ingredients in the jar for 2-3 minutes at the lowest speed settings. Why lowest? Because this will help to crush fruits or other ingredients well.
It will take less time to blend fruits or berries than dried nuts. And if you feel like your blender leaves behind big chunks of fruits or nuts, then chop them before adding them to the jar. This will help to mix everything nicely inside the jar as well as reduce blending time.
Can you use a hand blender to make a milkshake?
If you’re not in the mood to take out your big blender then you can always use your immersion hand blender to make a milkshake. But I need to warn you, that you might not get the same results as using a blender.
Also, remember to use a large, deep bowl while making milkshakes using a hand blender. This is because there are high chances of milk spatters when using a hand blender.
Keep the blender as low in the bowl as possible. And turn on the immersion blender to the lowest settings.
Slowly move the blender in large circular motions to mix all the ingredients properly. If you feel like it will spill out milk from the bowl then simply hold the hand blender in the center of the bowl while blending.
How much ice to add when making a milkshake?
Milkshakes are served as chilled dessert drinks, so they obviously incorporate ice while making. If you want some more texture you can add sonic ice made from nugget ice makers that can come in handy when making other recipes too.
Add 1/2 the number of ice cubes of milk to maintain a good texture of your milkshake. Also, using ice cubes will thicken the milkshake.
The only thing to keep in mind here is, that your blender blades must support the crushing of ice. You might not want to add ice cubes in a blender jar with weak blades as this will cause the whole appliance to shake and make loud noises.
Also Read:
You can use blenders to make protein shakes if you are into fitness and personal health.
The Bottom Line
We suppose now you have got a clear idea of how to make milkshakes in a blender easily. Plus, there are so many different milkshake recipes to try.
No doubt many people use an immersion hand blender or sometimes even food processors to make milkshakes but then they never give satisfying results like using a blender.
And all the new, good-quality countertop blenders support the crushing of ice cubes which encourages users to make chilled drinks at home easily.
Just do not keep the milkshake inside the refrigerator for too long after making it. The real fun is in enjoying the drink fresh and a little bit cold.
