If you're craving a festive and creamy treat, this Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe is just the thing to make your holidays sparkle. Perfect for cold winter evenings or as a delightful dessert at your seasonal gatherings, these milkshakes blend cool vanilla sweetness with peppermint's refreshing zing. They're easy enough for a quick treat but special enough to impress guests-and you'll love how the candy cane bits add that satisfying crunch.
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What Sets This Apart
I've found that the best Candy Cane Milkshakes are all about balance-creamy richness meets bright peppermint with just the right touch of sweetness and that fun pop of crushed candy cane pieces. This recipe nails the cold and refreshing feel while keeping things simple and achievable every time.
- Consistent Results: Using a bit of peppermint extract alongside actual candy canes ensures every sip bursts with flavor without being overpowering.
- Rich, Balanced Flavor: Creamy vanilla ice cream blends smoothly with the mint, creating a timeless holiday classic.
- Pantry-First Ingredients: No need for fancy extras-milk, ice cream, peppermint, and candy canes are all you need.
- Weeknight Friendly: Ready in minutes, it's perfect for a cozy night in or quick festive pick-me-up.
Ingredient Snapshot
When you gather your ingredients for this Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe, quality matters but you don't need perfection. Fresh vanilla ice cream and good peppermint extract make all the difference here, so choose brands you trust for ultimate flavor.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Use a creamy, high-quality brand for that rich, velvety base that melts in your mouth.
- Milk: Whole milk works best for creaminess, but 2% is just fine if you want to lighten it up.
- Peppermint Extract: Pure extract gives the best flavor punch, and you can adjust how much you add based on your taste.
- Candy Canes or Peppermints: Pick your favorite candy canes-classic red and white striped ones add a festive look and great texture.
- Pink Food Coloring: Totally optional, but it turns the milkshake into a pretty holiday treat that's visually delightful.
- Whipped Cream: Adds a soft, glossy topping that feels indulgent and balances the peppermint bite.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe
Step 1 - Prep & Season
Start by letting your vanilla ice cream soften just a bit-about five minutes on the counter is perfect. This makes blending smoother and saves your blender from overexerting. Add the softened ice cream, milk, and peppermint extract into your blender jar. If you want just a subtle hint of peppermint, start with 1 teaspoon and adjust up to 2 teaspoons for stronger flavor. Blend on high until the texture is creamy and smooth, watching for any chunks.
Step 2 - Build Flavor
Now, for the magic of crushed candy canes. Toss 4 broken candy canes or about 6 peppermints into a food processor and pulse until you have a mix of fine dust and small chunks-that texture really shines in the milkshake. If you don't have a processor, place them in a ziplock bag and gently crush with a rolling pin. Once your milkshake is smooth, add 2-3 drops of pink food coloring and blend again until evenly tinted. This step is optional but adds a fun holiday vibe!
Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture
Before serving, grab your favorite frosty mugs or mason jars and chill them in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. This helps keep the milkshake cold longer and gives you that inviting, frosty glass look. Pour the shake in gently to avoid too many bubbles. Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, then sprinkle the crushed candy cane pieces on top for a glossy, crunchy finish that's as fun to look at as it is to sip. Serve immediately and enjoy every cool, minty sip.
Cook's Notes & Tricks
I've whipped up this Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe many times for holiday guests and family nights, and I've learned what really makes it shine: keeping ice cream slightly softened is key for that ultra-velvety texture. Also, adjusting peppermint extract to taste really helps - don't be afraid to start smaller then blend more if you want extra zing. And if you want to dial the sweetness up or down, tweak your ice cream brand accordingly.
- Doneness Cue: Your milkshake should be thick but pourable, with no ice crystals or lumps.
- Temperature Trick: Chilling glasses ahead makes every sip feel icy-cold and refreshing.
- Make-Ahead Move: Blend the shake base and store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a day, then re-blend before serving.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don't over-blend candy canes-they should be broken but not powdered to retain that wonderful crunch.
Serve & Enjoy
Finishing Touches
Whipped cream is a no-brainer here-it adds smooth sweetness and a soft, glossy crown that invites you right in. The shards of crushed candy cane scattered on top give a little crunch and burst of peppermint flavor with every bite. You can also drizzle some chocolate sauce inside the glass before pouring in the shake for a pretty marbled effect that's both an eye-catcher and a taste booster.
Pairs Beautifully With
These milkshakes go wonderfully with chewy ginger cookies or buttery shortbread-they balance the cold creaminess with a bit of crisp texture and warm spice. For drinks, a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea compliments the shake's mint notes without competing, making for a lovely holiday duo.
Simple Plating Wins
Use clear mason jars to show off the pretty pink hue, and add festive red-and-white striped straws for extra charm. For holiday parties, rim glasses with melted chocolate and crushed candy cane crumbs-it immediately elevates your presentation and makes the milkshakes feel like a special occasion treat without any fuss.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover milkshake, store it in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 24 hours. Because it's dairy-heavy, the texture thickens when cold, so give it a good stir or quick blend before serving again. The candy cane bits will hold up well, still giving you that nice crunch.
Freezing Tips
This recipe doesn't freeze well once blended because of the milk and whipped cream topping, which can separate and become icy. For longer storage, freeze your candy canes separately and blend fresh milkshakes when ready for the best texture.
Reheating Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe Without Drying Out
Since this is a cold treat, reheating isn't really needed. If your shake thickens too much after chilling, simply let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then stir or blend gently to restore creaminess. Avoid microwaves or ovens, as heat will ruin the texture and melt the whipped cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Swap out vanilla ice cream and milk for your favorite non-dairy versions, like coconut or almond milk-based ice cream, and make sure your peppermint extract is vegan-friendly.
That depends on your taste buds! I usually start with 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and add more if I want a bolder bite, but 2 teaspoons is a great full-flavored amount without overpowering the vanilla.
Candy canes add texture and sweetness but aren't enough alone to infuse the milkshake with strong peppermint flavor. Combining extract and candy canes gives you that perfect balance.
Use a food processor if you have one for quick, even crushing. Otherwise, sealing candy canes in a ziplock bag and crushing them gently with a rolling pin works just as well-just avoid shattering into dust!
Final Thoughts
This Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe hits all the holiday notes: sweet but refreshing, creamy but light, and simple enough to make any day feel festive. Whether you're sharing with friends or indulging solo, it's a sweet little tradition worth keeping. Trust me, once you try this, you'll want to whip it up every winter season and maybe even sneak a few sips on lazy summer days!
PrintFull Recipe
Candy Cane Milkshakes Recipe
A festive and creamy Candy Cane Milkshake featuring vanilla ice cream, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes, perfect for holiday celebrations with a fun pink twist and whipped cream topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 4 broken up candy canes or 6 peppermints
- 2-3 drops pink food coloring
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a blender, add 3 cups of vanilla ice cream, 1 ½ cups of milk, and 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. If the ice cream is very hard, let it soften for about 5 minutes before blending to ease processing.
- Add Food Coloring: Add 2-3 drops of pink food coloring to the blender and blend again until the color is evenly distributed for a festive pink hue.
- Prepare Candy Cane Crumbs: While blending, crush 4 candy canes or 6 peppermints into fine pieces using a food processor or by placing them in a ziplock bag and gently crushing with a rolling pin to get a mix of small and slightly larger bits.
- Chill Glasses: Place your serving mugs or mason jars in the freezer for at least 10 minutes beforehand to get a frosty finish.
- Pour Milkshake: Remove the chilled mugs from the freezer and pour the blended milkshake into them.
- Garnish and Serve: Top each milkshake with a generous swirl of whipped cream and sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces on top for a sweet and festive touch. Optionally, drizzle chocolate sauce inside the glass and rim it with melted chocolate and candy cane crumbs before pouring the milkshake for added presentation.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately and savor the festive flavors.
Notes
- Let ice cream soften slightly before blending to avoid stressing the blender.
- Use pink food coloring for a fun holiday look, though it is optional.
- Crush candy canes using a food processor or ziplock bag with a rolling pin for best texture.
- Freezing the serving glass for 10 minutes enhances the milkshake experience with a frosty presentation.
- Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce inside the glass and a candy cane rim for extra festivity and flavor.
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