Old-Fashioned Vanilla Milkshake Recipe
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Do you ever wish you could re-create diner days at home with a thick and creamy old-fashioned milkshake? Even though you probably don't have the nostalgic metal mixer cup for putting the extras in, you can easily whip up a delicious vanilla shake in less than 5 minutes at home. Recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for an old-fashioned vanilla shake, and says, "My favorite thing about this recipe is how rich and creamy it is and how you only need a few ingredients to make it."
You might wonder when the best time is to serve up a vanilla shake? Hahn tells us they make a perfect afternoon treat on a hot summer day or for an afternoon home movie day. Bring out the tall glasses and straws — it is shake time!
Gather the ingredients for the old-fashioned milkshake
To make this recipe, you'll want to head to the freezer section of the store and grab a tub of vanilla ice cream. You may be there awhile because in today's world, we have lots of choices in this aisle. You will find vanilla ice cream made out of whole milk, oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, or cashew milk to name a few, and all would do nicely for this recipe. You will also need some milk, vanilla extract, a spray can of whipped cream, or homemade if you feel fancy, and naturally some sprinkles.
Blend the ice cream, milk, and vanilla
Pull the ice cream straight from the freezer; we want it as firm as possible to achieve that thick consistency. Hahn says, "If you let it soften first, you can end up with a thin milkshake that is more on the melty side." Add the ice cream to the blender, along with the milk and vanilla. Blend on high for at least 1 minute. Hahn says you may need to use the tamper tool that comes with some blenders to get the mixture moving.
Add toppings to the old-fashioned vanilla milkshake and serve
Once the milkshake mixture is thick and creamy, pour it into 2 tall glasses. Then, top with whipped cream and your choice of sprinkles. It's time to enjoy your old-fashioned creation, and you won't believe how delicious it is. You'll be re-creating diner days all summer long.
What to serve with an old-fashioned vanilla milkshake
Old-Fashioned Vanilla Milkshake Recipe
It's hard to beat a great milkshake, and this old-fashioned vanilla milkshake recipe is sure to become a summertime favorite.

Ingredients
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons whipped cream, for garnish
- 1 tablespoon chocolate sprinkles, for garnish
Directions
- Add the ice cream, milk, and vanilla to a blender, and blend on high for 1 minute.
- Add the whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles on top. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories per Serving | 663 |
Total Fat | 34.0 g |
Saturated Fat | 20.8 g |
Trans Fat | 0.0 |
Cholesterol | 131.8 mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 75.2 g |
Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g |
Total Sugars | 69.0 g |
Sodium | 264.3 mg |
Protein | 13.2 g |
Can you store a leftover milkshake?
By far the best way to enjoy this old-fashioned vanilla milkshake is right away. You're going to get the best texture that way and texture is relatively important here. It is possible to store a leftover milkshake for later, though, if the situation calls for it. But not for long!
Since milkshakes are basically souped up ice cream, you'd be forgiven for assuming the freezer is where a milkshake should go when you want to save it for later. Turns out, the fridge is a better option. If you put the milkshake in the freezer, it's going to, well, freeze it. In frozen form, the milkshake is going to be basically inedible unless you enjoy chipping small bits away with a pickaxe. If you allow it to thaw out, the milkshake is going to have lost the creamy texture we're looking for.
All this to say, the fridge is going to prolong the window of opportunity — if only slightly — relative to letting it sit out at room temperature. It's still going to melt after a few hours, but it's better than nothing.