Recipe

Creamy Vanilla Bean Milkshake

Thick, frosty, and unapologetically classic with a vanilla-bean pop and a whipped cream cap. Ready in 5 minutes, no drive-thru required.

By Matt Campbell

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4.9

A tall glass of thick vanilla milkshake topped with whipped cream and vanilla bean specks on a wooden countertop

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Some desserts are a whole production. This is not that dessert. This is the cleanest possible path to a ridiculously creamy milkshake that tastes like the best part of a diner menu, minus the sticky booth and the mystery song on the jukebox.

My rules for a weeknight milkshake treat are simple: it has to be thick enough to make the blender work a little, cold enough to fog the glass, and flavorful enough that you do the little mid-sip pause like, “Okay, wow.” The secret is not fancy equipment or complicated add-ins. It is cold ingredients, good vanilla, and the right blend time.

This base recipe is classic vanilla bean, but I included easy riffs because improvising is allowed, encouraged, and sometimes the only reason we survive a Tuesday.

A hand pouring milk into a blender jar with vanilla ice cream scoops inside

Why It Works

Diner-thick texture without turning your blender into a smoke machine. We start with less milk, then adjust.
Big vanilla flavor from real vanilla extract plus optional vanilla bean paste for those pretty specks and extra aroma.
No icy dilution because we skip regular ice. If you need extra chill, you use a few ice cream cubes instead.
Totally customizable. Swap the ice cream, add mix-ins, or turn it into a cookies-and-cream situation in 30 seconds.

Storage Tips

Milkshakes are at their best immediately, but if you have leftovers (iconic, honestly), here is how to save them. Just know the texture changes fast and it will be more like a melted shake until you revive it.

Fridge (short term)

Pour into a jar with a tight lid and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
It will thin and may separate. Shake hard or re-blend. For a true thick-shake comeback, add 1 to 2 scoops of ice cream and blend again.

Freezer (best option)

Freeze in a lidded container up to 1 week.
Let sit at room temp 10 to 15 minutes, then stir or blend until scoopable and smooth.

Pro tip: Freeze leftovers in an ice cube tray. Later, blend the cubes with a splash of milk for an instant “milkshake rescue.”

Common Questions

How do I make a milkshake thicker?

Use less milk and add it slowly. Also make sure your ice cream is very cold. If your shake is already blended and still too thin, blend in 1 extra scoop of ice cream or a handful of frozen ice cream cubes.

How do I make it thinner without watering it down?

Add 1 tablespoon of cold milk at a time and pulse. You can also use half-and-half for a thinner texture that stays rich.

Can I make this without a blender?

Yes. Let the ice cream soften 5 to 8 minutes, then whisk aggressively with cold milk in a large bowl until smooth. It will be a bit less fluffy than blender-style, but still delicious.

What is the best ice cream for milkshakes?

A premium vanilla with simple ingredients tends to blend thicker and taste better. If it is labeled “frozen dairy dessert,” it can be airier and lower in butterfat, which means it tends to melt faster and taste less creamy.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Absolutely. Use a dairy-free vanilla ice cream and a creamy plant milk like oat milk. For extra richness, add 1 tablespoon coconut cream.

How do I make it like a fast-food shake?

Let the vanilla ice cream soften slightly, blend a little longer, and add 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk for that nostalgic, extra-sweet vibe.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Blender (standard or high-speed)
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula for scraping the blender
2 tall glasses (chill them if you have time)
Optional: piping bag or spoon for whipped cream
Note: This makes a generous batch. If you have a small or personal blender, blend in two batches so you do not overload it.

The first time I tried to make a “real” milkshake at home, I did what many of us do when left unsupervised: I added a bunch of milk, panicked when it got thin, then tried to fix it with ice like it was a smoothie. Reader, it was not a smoothie. It was a vanilla slush having an identity crisis.

Now I do it the calm way: start thick, add milk slowly, and taste like I am being paid for it. This is the milkshake I make when the day needs a small win, when leftovers are boring, or when I open the freezer and the ice cream is whispering, “We could be a situation.”