Recipe

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Try this dreamy peppermint milkshake for a yummy holiday treat. It's easy to whip up and has the old-fashioned milkshake flavor and texture we love.

This peppermint milkshake recipe is a creamy, frosty treat that will make the holidays even better!

Peppermint Milkshake - made with light ice cream in a white chocolate candy cane rimmed mason jar glass.

I'll never forget my first milkshake. It was winter of 1990 when I visited my mom in California from Spain. The town of Los Gatos had a small, old-time diner that made the most amazing milkshakes. I experienced my first candy cane milkshake that Christmas and have dreamed of it ever since.

I'm pretty sure it was the white chocolate candy cane rimmed glass that made it unforgettable, and today's milkshake is the closest thing to recreating that memory and sharing it with you.

large scoop of peppermint ice cream with a carton in the background

Peppermint Milkshake Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make a dreamy peppermint milkshake:

white chocolate chips: for melting and coating the rim of the glasses.
candy canes: crushed, for the chocolate peppermint rim.
peppermint ice cream: use any of your favorite peppermint ice creams.
milk: regular whole milk works best. If you want to make this lighter, use skim milk or a non-dairy alternative.
whipped cream: to top this delicious milkshake off!
toppings: candied cherries, crushed peppermint, shaved white chocolate, holiday-colored sprinkles, etc.

To kick off the holiday season, I partnered with Edy's Ice Cream for this recipe. My daughter, Sofia, loves all things peppermint, so naturally, she was thrilled to work with me on this idea.

I chose Edy's Slow Churned Peppermint Wonderland light ice cream because it's light ice cream and the peppermint candy pieces give it a memorable frosty flavor in every sip!

If you can’t find peppermint ice cream, then use vanilla ice cream and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract.

How to Make a Peppermint Milkshake

This recipe goes by fast! Grab those ingredients and let’s make it!

Grab a blender
Combine the peppermint ice cream and milk in the blender and process for 20 seconds or until the mixture is thick and has a milkshake consistency.

Final touches
Divide the milkshake into the glasses and top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

The Peppermint Rim

The peppermint rim is what makes this treat even more special. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but the combination of peppermint and white chocolate is divine.

My biggest concern for this recipe was how to create the rimmed glass. Luckily, all it took was melting some white chocolate chips and rolling it in finely chopped candy canes, as I show you how to do below:

Melt some chocolate
Place the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave, pausing every 15 seconds to stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Crush
Add the candy canes to a large zip bag and seal. Place the bag onto a sturdy, flat surface such as a heavy-duty cutting board. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the candy into fine pieces.

Transfer the crushed candy canes into a separate bowl.

Decorate
Slowly dip the serving glass rims into the melted chocolate. After a couple of seconds, dip the rims into the crushed candy canes. Place the glasses upright in the refrigerator and allow the chocolate and candy to harden.

Peppermint Shake Recipe Video

This is a fun treat to assemble with the kids, and you can watch how it’s made in the video below. The visual demonstration is helpful, especially when decorating the glasses.

Dairy-Free Peppermint Milkshake

Need a dairy-free milkshake? Use your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream, ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, and ½ cup non-dairy milk such as almond or soy. Place all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.

Skip the white chocolate rimmed glasses and serve this milkshake topped with whipped coconut cream and crushed candy cane.

How to Make this The Creamiest Holiday Milkshake!

If you like your milkshakes super creamy and thick, here are a few tips to make sure it has the perfect consistency you can sip through a straw or eat with a spoon:

start with less milk and add more as needed.
use slightly softened ice cream, it requires less milk and blends easier.
whole milk makes the milkshake creamier.
don’t add ice, it will water down the milkshake.

Candy Cane Milkshake (Peppermint Milkshake Recipe)

Servings: 2

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Try this dreamy peppermint milkshake for a yummy holiday treat. It's easy to whip up and has the old-fashioned milkshake flavor and texture we love.

4.96 from 81 votes

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Watch how it's made:

Ingredients

½ cup white chocolate chips
1 candy cane, finely crushed
2 cups Peppermint ice cream*
½ cup milk
Whipped cream, for topping

Instructions

Prep the rimmed glasses:

Add the candy canes in a large zip bag and seal. Place the bag onto a flat, sturdy surface such as a heavy-duty cutting board. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush the candy canes into fine pieces.
Place the crushed candy cane in a small bowl or plate.
Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl that is large enough to fit the rim of your serving glass. Microwave, pausing every 15 seconds to stir the chocolate until it's melted and smooth.
Slowly dip each serving glass into the melted chocolate and allow excess chocolate to drip off. After a couple of seconds, dip the white chocolate-covered rim into the crushed candy canes.
Place the glasses upright in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow the chocolate and candy to harden.

Make the milkshake:

In a blender, combine the peppermint ice cream and milk. Blend for 15-20 seconds until it reaches a thick, milkshake consistency.

Serve:

Pour the milkshake into the candy cane rimmed glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Serve immediately.

Notes

To make this milkshake without peppermint ice cream, blend 2 cups of vanilla ice cream with ½ cup milk and ½ teaspoon peppermint extract.
For a dairy-free milkshake, use your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream, ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, and ½ cup non-dairy milk such as almond or soy. Place all of the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Skip the white chocolate rimmed glasses and serve this milkshake topped with whipped coconut cream and crushed candy cane.

Equipment

Clean Treats Cookbook

Nutrition

For more holiday inspiration on how to incorporate the rich taste of Dreyer's/EDY's Slow Churned light ice cream, visit Dreyers.com or Edys.com. Don't forget, if you are located west of the Rockies to look for the Dreyer's carton in the freezer aisle.

From time to time, I work with awesome companies to develop recipes for this website. Today's post was brought to you by Dreyer’s/EDY’s Slow Churned holiday campaign to help spread the word about their Slow Churned Peppermint Wonderland light ice cream. As a team member, I received product and incentives in exchange for participating in brand related activities and spreading the word about Dreyer’s/EDY’s Slow Churned light ice cream products. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that encourage my creativity.