Buzz
Making a chocolate milkshake is simple and always delicious, perfect for chocolate enthusiasts. You can mix chocolate with a variety of ingredients or try different flavors to create your milkshake.
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
For making one large milkshake and two small ones
- Milk, ¼ cup (60ml) to 1 cup (240ml), depending on the desired thickness
- 2 tablespoons of chocolate, vanilla, or frozen yogurt
- Chocolate (a few square pieces) or chocolate sauce (2 tablespoons/30ml) (optional when paired with vanilla ice cream)
- Fresh cream (optional)
- See the extra ingredients section for more options to mix and garnish.
Steps
Making a Chocolate Milkshake
Place a tall glass in the freezer (optional). Whether you're using a tall glass or a standard metal one, chilling it in the freezer for a few minutes will make your milkshake colder when drinking. This step takes little time, and you can start preparing the milkshake while the glass is in the freezer.
Wait for the ice cream to soften. Using ice cream straight from the freezer can make the milkshake bland, watery, or too cold. The end result will taste better if you let the ice cream sit outside for about 10 minutes until it softens and the edges begin to melt.
- If it's hot outside, keep the ice cream in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Letting the ice cream melt too quickly can ruin the texture. So, let it soften slowly.
- Skip this step if you're using frozen yogurt.
Combine the ingredients. Add 2 tablespoons of softened ice cream or frozen yogurt to a blender or milkshake maker. You can use a large stainless steel bowl if you don't have a blender. Add ¼ cup (60ml) of milk for a thicker shake or 1 cup (240ml) if you prefer it thinner.
- Whole milk will make the milkshake creamier, but skim or low-fat milk is a healthier option.
- If you want a very thick shake, add 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) of fresh cream.
- Crushed ice will dilute the flavor of the milkshake. Add more milk to thin it out, or place the milkshake in the freezer for a few minutes if it becomes too watery.
Add chocolate if desired. If you're using vanilla ice cream or want to enhance the chocolate flavor, add one of the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) of chocolate syrup, blending for about 10-30 seconds. Use 4 tablespoons (60ml) of chocolate syrup if mixing with vanilla ice cream.
- Melt a few pieces of chocolate or a handful of chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring each time. If using just chocolate, you'll need ¼ cup.
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder will boost the chocolate flavor, but it won't be rich enough if you only use cocoa.
Blend or Mix the Ingredients Thoroughly. The easiest method is to use a blender, milkshake maker, or handheld blender on low speed. If you don’t have any of these tools, you can exercise your arm by using a whisk to mix everything well.
- Softened ice cream will mix easily with a few quick pulses in a blender or by using a fork instead of a whisk. If it’s hard to blend, you can mash it up with a plastic mixing spoon or a spoon against the side of the blender or bowl.
Drink the Milkshake in a Chilled Glass. Taste your milkshake before pouring it into a glass to check if you need to add more milk (to thin it) or more ice cream (to thicken it). You can also garnish it with some whipped cream and/or sprinkle some grated chocolate, or explore other mix-in options listed below.
- Enjoy the milkshake with a spoon or straw.
Additional Ingredients
Make a Mexican-Style Chocolate Milkshake. For a richer flavor, you should use Mexican chocolate ice cream available at Latin stores, melt some Mexican chocolate for your milkshake, or use the regular recipe with the following ingredients:
- 1/8 teaspoon (1 pinch) ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon (1 pinch) ground Mexican chili pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon (1 drop) vanilla extract
Add Espresso Powder to Enhance the Flavor. Even if you’re not a coffee lover, adding a pinch of espresso powder will give your milkshake a roasted, earthy flavor. To make it stronger, add 2-3 teaspoons of espresso powder.
- You can also pair it with ½ teaspoon of almond extract.
Add some fruits. Freeze a banana, a few strawberries, or a handful of raspberries. Cut the frozen fruit into small chunks and blend all the ingredients for a few seconds.
Add a bit of candy. You'll create a special dessert with these solid ingredients. To achieve the best results, add the candy after the milkshake is blended. You can either sprinkle the candy on top of the milkshake or blend it for a few seconds to preserve the texture. Here are some options:
- Crush one or two chocolate cookies or a brownie into small pieces.
- Add some toasted marshmallows or even a s'more (a marshmallow-filled cookie).
- Get or make small donuts. Keep them dry by attaching them to a large straw.
Add a little alcohol. A splash of bourbon, Bailey’s, Kahlua, or any of your favorite liquors will bring a fresh twist when you want to treat yourself. Add one small shot (3 tablespoons/45ml) or adjust to taste.
- If adding alcohol, you can reduce the milk to prevent the milkshake from becoming too diluted.
Finish it off.
Tip
- You can use any type of chocolate: dark, milk, or any flavor you prefer.
- If you're using small chocolate pieces, make sure they are not cold so they blend easily.
- A straw with a small spoon-like end is ideal for scooping ice cream or other ingredients.
- For a healthier milkshake, you can use 2% milk or skim milk and substitute ice cubes for cream. It will take a bit longer to blend smoothly, and the result will be more like a blended ice drink than a milkshake, but it’s worth trying if you're aiming to cut down on calories.
- Most people love chocolate milkshakes with a sweet and sugary flavor, but feel free to customize the taste to suit your preferences.
What You'll Need
- Blender, milkshake maker, or a large bowl + hand blender, whisk, or fork
- Tall glass to serve the milkshake
- Straw
