Vanilla Milkshake Recipe (Cafe Style)
This classic Vanilla Milkshake Recipe makes it easy to prepare a rich, creamy, sweet and refreshing cafe style shake right at home. Follow my step-by-step instructions with photos to blend up a rich Vanilla Shake that’s perfect to enjoy plain or with your favorite extra goodies!
About Vanilla Milkshake Recipe
I have shared several Milkshake Recipes on the site, and they’ve become quite popular! Particularly during the warmer months, there is just nothing like a deliciously cold and sweet shake.
Most of my posts are for fruity drinks, like this juicy Mango Milkshake and Banana Milkshake, which everyone loves. However, I’ve also gotten many requests for a classic vanilla shake for when you want a simple but truly satisfying treat.
This vanilla milkshake recipe is wonderfully easy and made with just a few wholesome ingredients. Although basic, these key ingredients used in just the right ratio are what really make a homemade shake shine.
Below you’ll find handy tips and foolproof instructions for how to make the best milkshake with vanilla. But first, let’s talk about those ingredients needed to get that perfectly thick, creamy and rich shake you crave.
Ingredients You Need
1. Milk: I always recommend using whole or full-fat milk for the creamiest milkshakes with just the right thickness. That being said, you certainly can use low fat or skimmed milk; just note that your shakes likely won’t be quite as rich and creamy.
2. Vanilla Ice Cream: The better quality of ice cream used, the better tasting your vanilla shake will be. If possible I recommend using Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream for simply the tastiest drink.
If you do use store bought vanilla ice cream, be sure it is real ice cream made with milk or cream. Other frozen desserts that are made with vegetable oil will not taste that good. Be sure to check the ingredients list before you buy!
3. Vanilla: The best flavor comes from using vanilla beans or real vanilla extract. I prefer to use Homemade Vanilla Extract for a great vanilla taste. If you don’t have vanilla beans or extract on hand, that’s ok – just be sure to purchase a quality vanilla ice cream.
4. Toppings & Garnishes: Whipped cream is a classic topping for milkshakes, and can be homemade or purchased at the store. Instead or in addition to whipped cream, you can add all kinds of extra treats to your shake. Here are just a few ideas:
- Chopped nuts like walnuts, pistachios or almonds
- Dry fruits like cherries or currants
- Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Crushed wafers or cookies
- Sweet syrups like caramel or chocolate syrup
Or nearly any other goodies you like!
How to make Vanilla Milkshake
1. First add 4 cups of vanilla ice cream to a blender jar. This is approximately about 12 small to medium-sized ice cream scoops.
Tip: It helps to let the ice cream soften on the counter for a bit so that it’s easier to scoop.
2. Then add 1 cup of chilled or cold whole milk.
3. Add sugar to taste. Usually about 2 to 3 teaspoons is just right, depending on how sweet the ice cream is.
Feel free to use granulated sugar, castor sugar or powdered sugar.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of real vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean pod.
If using fresh vanilla bean, first slit it down the center and scrape the seeds. Add the scraped beans to the blender.
5. Blend until smooth.
Tip: Do not add any ice cubes as they will dilute both the taste and consistency of the milkshake. If the shake seems a bit too thick you can add a splash of milk and blend again.
6. Pour into 2 large or 3 small glasses. Garnish the vanilla shake with your favorite toppings and serve right away.
Tips & Variations
1. How to prepare the richest, creamiest vanilla milkshake?
Want an even creamier and thicker shake? Add a generous splash of heavy cream when blending the milk with vanilla extract and sugar.
2. How to make thicker or thinner milkshakes?
I use the proportion of ¼ cup milk per every 3 medium sized ice cream scoops for a thick, creamy and rich vanilla milkshake. You can easily change this ratio to suit your tastes.
- For a thinner milkshake add ½ cup milk to 3 medium sized ice cream scoops.
- For a thicker milkshake add ¼ cup of milk per every 4 medium sized scoops of ice cream. If too thick, add a splash or two of milk at a time and blend until you get the right consistency.
3. How to make a vanilla milkshake without ice cream?
You can easily make a vanilla milkshake without vanilla ice cream. It won’t be quite as thick and rich, but is still delicious! Blend chilled whole milk, sugar and vanilla extract in a blender. Pour in glasses and serve. You can also add some cream while blending for a richer taste.
4. Vegan Shake Options
For a vegan version, use a vegan vanilla ice cream and almond milk. Almond milk is a good substitute for milk and I do prefer it over soy milk or cashew milk while making vegan shakes. Another favorite of mine is coconut milk, and I usually use it when making shakes with fruits or berries.
Step by Step Photo Guide Above
Ingredients
- 4 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
- 1 cup whole milk – chilled or cold
- 2 to 3 teaspoons sugar or add as required
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean pod or ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
Instructions
- In a blender take the vanilla ice cream. The ice cream need not be hard as a rock. So allow it to soften a bit before adding in the blender jar.
- Add the milk and sugar.
- You can add less or more sugar as per your taste.
- Add vanilla extract. If using vanilla bean pod, slit it and scrape of the tiny seeds and add them in the blender.
- Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- Pour in glasses or jars. Top with your favorite nuts and serve straight away. You can even garnish with some chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or berries.
Video
Notes
- You can add less or more of the sugar as per your taste preferences.
- You can add some light cream or whipping cream if you like.
- Toppings and garnishes can be of your choice.
- You can add more milk and make slightly less thick or a thin milkshake.
- Do not add ice cubes as these will dilute the taste and make the consistency thin.
- Scale the recipe to halve the servings or double the servings.
Nutrition
This Vanilla Milkshake recipe post from the archives was first published in May 2019. It has been updated and republished on May 2022.
Mam please write a post on kitchen equipments explaining there uses. For example scoops, teaspoon, tablespoon , cup measures. It is very confusing for a newbie like me. Thank you.
will see if i can do this post. i have noted it down and will plan to add. thanks pradyumna for your suggestion.
Hey Dassana,
Awesome post with helpful tips to prepare vanilla milkshake. i really like vanilla milkshake and truly like the tips and the detailed instructions that you have listed to prepare it. your all the step-by-step tips are helpful, easy to understand and follow. As following these tips will helps many people to prepare vanilla milkshake.
Great article and thanks for sharing.
Please do post recipe for ‘Mango jam’ before the mango season is over.
i will try to but not sure as mango season will be getting over soon.
Thanks for the recipe Dassana. Love your recipes. Your recipes are foolproof. I have a question. Which brand of vanilla syrup /powder is good? Where do we get vanilla beans
thank you srividya. i use homemade vanilla extract. i make it at home with vanilla beans. you can buy vanilla beans in a gourmet store or from amazon.in or bigbasket. i have shared the homemade vanilla extract earlier.
Hi Dassana,
My review is not for this recipe though. I wanted to leave my message here for the kind of impact you and your recipes have created in my life. here goes. I stumbled on your blog website in the year 2011. I was looking for Indo Chinese cuisine recipe and your veg fried rice and manchurian recipe became my favorite. Whenever i craved it, i would always go back to your recipe bookmarked on my computer. Then when i got married and moved to US, i relied on your website even more for recipes and content. Loved trying out dal, learnt how to cook rice, how to make sambhar. I like that you have so many variations and varieties of each dish. Your insight about the impacts various parts of India and regions have in bringing that uniqueness to the dish has always intrigued me. Personally,I have never been a fond of videos. I like the text based recipes with pictures and find it really easy to follow along. Your blog has always provided that excellent ease and access to an amateur cook like me who used to crave Indian food over here in the US. I have installed your app on several of my friends iPads, mobile phones, especially white Americans and Asians. I take pride when they appreciate my cooked food and ask for recipes. They all have become your fans. I feel i have developed a kindred relationship with you.
In the end, i want to appreciate you and your husband for being the perfect team in doing this good work. It is a tremendous work effort and behemoth task that you both undertake. The quality of your content and website and app is really good. I wish you both and your family the best.
Thank you for leaving a mark in my life that i fondly carry with me whenever i miss a piece of home.
hi baban, so touched by your comment ❤️. thanks for pouring your heart in the message. i am humbled and grateful at the same time. i wish you all the best. thanks again ????????
even i am not fond of videos and i cannot cook seeing a video. i guess it depends on the type of people and their preferences and what they prefer – photos or a recipe video. on a side note, we removed the app more than a year back. thought of letting you know.
I really love how detailed your instructions are, especially the How To section. Thanks for sharing, Dassana!
thank you luna.