Chocolate milkshakes are easy to make and always delicious if you're a chocolate fan. You can make them with very few ingredients or experiment with all kinds of additional flavors.
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 minutes
- Overall time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Makes one big milkshake or two small milkshakes
- Milk, cup (60 ml) to 1 cup (240 ml), depending on desired consistency
- Chocolate or vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, two large scoops
- Chocolate, (a few pieces), or chocolate syrup (2 tbsp/30 ml) (optional unless using vanilla ice cream)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- See additional ingredients for a wider variety of toppings and choices
Step
Method 1 of 2: Chocolate Milkshake
Step 1. Place tall glass in freezer (optional)
Whether you're using a tall glass or a classic metal cup, popping it in the freezer for a few minutes will keep the milkshake very cold while you're setting it. Don't sit still – start making a milkshake while you wait.
Step 2. Let the ice cream soften
Using ice cream straight from the freezer can make your milkshake taste bland, thin, or full of ice. You'll get much better results if you leave the ice cream outside on the counter for about 10 minutes, until it becomes soft and starts to melt around the edges.
- On a hot day, just pop the ice cream in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Warming ice cream too quickly can ruin its texture. This subtle method is the best.
- Skip this step if using frozen yogurt.
Step 3. Mix the ingredients
Place two large scoops of softened ice cream or frozen yogurt into a blender or milkshake machine. Use a stainless steel metal bowl if you don't have a blender. Add cup (60 ml) of milk for a thick milkshake, or add up to a full cup (240 ml) if you prefer a thinner drink.
- Whole milk makes for a thicker milkshake, while skim or low-fat milk is a healthier choice.
- For a very thick milkshake, also mix in 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of heavy whipping cream.
- Crushed ice will spoil the taste of your milkshake. Use extra milk to thin the milkshake and place it in the freezer for a few minutes if it gets too runny.
Step 4. Add chocolate if needed
If you're using vanilla ice cream, or you want to accentuate the chocolate flavor, add one of the following:
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) chocolate syrup, beat in a blender for another 10-30 seconds. Add up to 4 tbsp (60 ml) if using vanilla ice cream.
- Melt a few pieces of chocolate or a handful of choco chips in a double boiler, or heat briefly in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time, stirring each time. If this is the only chocolate ingredient, use about cup (60 ml) of chocolate.
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of cocoa powder will add flavor to a milkshake that already has a chocolate flavor, but may not be strong enough as the only chocolate base.
Step 5. Mix or shake together
This step is easiest to do with a blender, milkshake maker, or hand blender on a low setting. If you don't have any of these tools, burn the calories first using a strong egg beater.
Semi-frozen ice cream is easiest to mix with short whisks or with a firm fork instead of egg beaters. If it still doesn't mix, press against the sides with a rubber spatula or flat spoon and try again
Step 6. Serve in a chilled glass
Taste before pouring into the glass, so you have the option of mixing in more milk (lighter) or more ice cream (thicker). As a topping option, add some whipping cream and/or a sprinkling of grated chocolate, or check out the crazier variations below.
Serve with a spoon or large straw
Method 2 of 2: Adding Extra Ingredients
Step 1. Make a Mexican chocolate milkshake
For a more spiced and complex taste, use Mexican chocolate ice cream from the Latin market, melt a few pieces of Mexican chocolate and mix them into a milkshake, or use a regular recipe with the following ingredients added:
- 1/8 tsp (pinch) cinnamon powder
- tsp (pinch) (1 pinch) chile powder
- tsp (a drop) vanilla extract
Step 2. Add espresso powder for a richer taste
Even if you're not a coffee fan, a pinch of espresso powder will give your milkshake a more earthy, charred flavor. For a more intense mocha sensation, mix in 2-3 tsp (10-15 ml) of espresso powder instead.
This recipe goes well with tsp (2.5 ml) almond extract
Step 3. Mix the fruit
Freeze a banana, a few strawberries, or a handful of raspberries. Slice the frozen fruit into small pieces, then use a blender for a few seconds to blend the flavors together.
Step 4. Add the confectionery pieces
Make it a special dessert with these solid ingredients. For best results, add after the milkshake has been whipped in a blender. Let it sit on top of the milkshake or shake the glass slightly to mix it up a bit without ruining the texture. Here are some ideas that can be implemented:
- Coarsely crush one or two chocolate crackers or small brownies into several pieces.
- Add toasted marshmallows, or even a whole s'more.
- Buy or make mini donuts. Keep most of it dry by placing it around a large straw.
Step 5. Add a little liquor
A little bourbon, Bailey's Kahlua, or your favorite liquor adds a whole new dimension of fun. Mix one shot (3 tbsp/45 ml) or to taste.
You may want to partially replace the milk to avoid diluting the milkshake
Step 6. Done
Tips
- You can use chocolate with any cocoa content: dark, milk, or anything in between.
- A "scoop" or "stirring"-tipped straw is perfect for scooping up ice cream blobs or other ingredients.
- For a slightly healthier milkshake, you can try using skim or 2% milk and replacing the ice cream with ice. This method will take some time to mix gently and the result will be more like an iced drink than an actual milkshake, but it's worth a try if you want to skip the extra calories.
