Vanilla Milkshake Recipe

A cold and refreshing Vanilla Milkshake is a great choice for a frozen beverage treat. This recipe takes it to the next level with an edible rim. Your family is going to love this simple but delicious milkshake!

The Best Vanilla Milkshake

I love enjoying homemade milkshakes with the family during the summer. Vanilla is a classic flavor that we can all agree is one of the best. This recipe kicks the flavor up a notch with vanilla extract. It’s worth it! Plus, you can use your favorite brand of ice cream and create a rim flavoring to make it your own.

A lot of people think that vanilla milkshakes are boring. Trust me, nothing is boring about this recipe! Pure vanilla with good quality vanilla bean ice cream gives it tons of rich flavor. Your kids are going to be asking to make it over and over this summer.

What You’ll Need

The base of this vanilla milkshake recipe only needs 3 ingredients. It’s so incredibly simple and inexpensive! 

For the Milkshake:

• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – use store-bought our make our easy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe.
• Milk: This is an important ingredient – it’s to loosen the milkshake and make it the right consistency to drink through a straw.
• Vanilla Extract

For the Rim and Toppings (optional):

• White Chocolate Chips: Melted for the rim.
• Rainbow Sprinkles
• Whipped Cream

How to Make a Vanilla Milkshake

It all comes down to one simple step – blending all of the ingredients. Here are the instructions to ensure that your vanilla milkshake will come out perfectly every single time.

Step 1: Decorate the Rims. Before blending the milkshake, you will need to prepare your glasses. Melt the white chocolate chips on the microwave-safe plate. Check every 30-60 seconds and stir for a smooth consistency. Make sure that the white chocolate is spread out a bit so you can get it all around the entire rim. Put the rainbow sprinkles in a small bowl with a wide opening to ensure that you can dip the milkshake glasses in it. 

Step 2: Blend the Shake. First, add the milk and vanilla to the blender. Then add the ice cream. Blend for about 15-30 seconds to start. You want it to be thick and smooth but also not have any chunks. Make sure you don’t blend it too much as it will become too thin.

Step 3: Serve. Pour the milkshake into the glasses and add your toppings; we use whipped cream and more rainbow sprinkles. Enjoy before it melts!

Equipment Needed

• Blender
• Small Microwavable Plate: This is for melting the chocolate for the rim. 
• Small Bowl: For the rainbow sprinkles.
• Glasses: Whatever glasses or shake glasses you like to use. 

Tips and Variation Ideas

• Instead of vanilla extract, you can use fresh vanilla beans.
• French vanilla or creamy vanilla ice cream are great flavor options as well.
• Only make how much you will use immediately. You can properly store extra. 
• Allow the ice cream to soften a little bit so it’s nice and creamy before blending.
• Do not add ice as it will water down the milkshakes.
• Feel free to use almond milk or oat milk in place of cow’s milk if you prefer.
• Try to avoid imitation vanilla as it won’t give the milkshakes the authentic vanilla flavor you’re looking for.
• Freeze the glasses before use to ensure the milkshakes stay extra cold!
• Decorations and toppings are optional but I think it adds a really fun touch to the vanilla milkshakes (it’s my kids’ favorite part). Plus, it’s edible!

For the Rim:

• Chocolate Syrup
• Chocolate Sprinkles
• Peanut Butter Chips (melted)
• Chocolate Chips (melted)

For the Toppings:

• Caramel
• Hot Fudge
• Crumbled Oreos
• Cinnamon Whipped Cream
• Chopped Strawberries/Strawberry Sauce

More Milkshake Recipes to Try

• Oreo Milkshake
• Copycat Chick Fil A Peppermint Shake
• Orange Creamsicle Shake
• Shamrock Shake
• Copycat Oreo Shamrock Shake