Peppermint Bark Milkshake blends creamy ice cream with rich chocolate and the refreshing zing of festive peppermint! With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can whip up a batch of peppermint bark milkshakes in no time!
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I love all things peppermint and candy cane when it comes to the holidays! It’s probably my favorite flavor of the season. And peppermint bark milkshakes are high up on the top of my favorite treats list.
This peppermint bark milkshake recipe, with its rich, creamy texture from the ice cream, bits of semisweet chocolate, and classic wintery peppermint flavor from the peppermint candy canes is better than any other peppermint shake that I have tried.
I mean, who can resist the combination of flavors and the fun, festive look of a milkshake garnished with whipped cream, candy canes, and chocolate sprinkles?!
For more ice cream desserts served in a glass, check out my Easy Oreo Milkshake, 5-Minute Fresh Peach Milkshakes, Old-Fashioned Chocolate Milkshake, Pumpkin Pie Milkshake, and Classic Tin Roof Sundae!
Why We Love This Recipe
- The blend of Christmas flavors like peppermint, vanilla, and chocolate, makes for the most delicious way to capture the essence of the holiday spirit in a glass.
- This delicious milkshake recipe uses just a few simple ingredients and a blender, so it’s an ideal option for last-minute holiday gatherings or a quick, festive treat after a long day of holiday preparations.
- If you’re looking for something lighter than pies or cakes but still want to enjoy a dessert that feels special and festive, this peppermint bark milkshake really hits the mark!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream – Adds richness and sweetness to our milkshake.
- Whole Milk – Thins the milkshake to our desired consistency.
- Peppermint Candy Canes – These add the classic peppermint flavor to the milkshake.
- Mini Chocolate Chips – I like mini chips because their size works well in a drink recipe, but you could use chocolate shavings or small pieces of chopped chocolate chunks if you like.
How to Make Peppermint Chip Milkshake
- Blend milk and ice cream. Add the ice cream and milk to a blender and blend until smooth—about 30 seconds. If you prefer a thinner milkshake, feel free to add another ½ cup of milk.
- Mix in the candy. Next, add the candy canes and mini chocolate chips to the creamy ice cream. Pulse the blender for 10–15 seconds, or until both the chocolate chips and the crushed candy cane pieces are evenly distributed and only slightly broken up.
- Pour, garnish, and serve. Pour into your desired glasses and top with whipped cream and some flecks of chocolate or sprinkles, with a candy cane or mini candy cane hanging over the rim of the glass.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, you can still enjoy a peppermint bark milkshake without a blender. Crush the candy canes into very fine pieces, then vigorously whisk the milk and ice cream together until smooth. Stir in the crushed candy canes and chocolate chips by hand.
Substitute the vanilla ice cream for a keto-friendly version and use a sugar-free sweetener like peppermint syrup or even peppermint extract in place of the candy canes. Many grocery stores have a Keto Foods section nowadays, where you can find all sorts of sugar-free goodies like peppermint syrup which can provide the flavor of a candy cane without the carbs.
Absolutely! Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream and a milk alternative like almond, soy, or coconut milk. Ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free, and top with dairy-free whipped cream.
Adjust the thickness by varying the amount of milk and ice cream. For a thicker milkshake, add more ice cream; for a thinner consistency, increase the milk. You can also chill the milkshake in the freezer for a few minutes after blending for a thicker texture.
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality vanilla ice cream, fresh milk, and your favorite peppermint candies and chocolate. The better the ingredients, the more flavorful and satisfying the milkshake will be.
- When adding the candy canes and chocolate chips, use short pulses. This method helps distribute them evenly without turning them into dust. You want those satisfying bits of candy and chocolate in every sip.
- Achieve your desired milkshake thickness by adjusting the ice cream and milk ratio. Remember, you can always add more milk to thin it out or more ice cream to thicken it.
- To ensure the best texture and temperature, serve your milkshake right after garnishing. If you’re preparing them for a party, keep the glasses in the freezer until you’re ready to fill them.
Presentation Like a Pro
A beautiful presentation elevates the milkshake from a dessert drink to an experience!
For a rustic, festive look, serve your milkshakes in mason jars. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar for a holiday touch. Add a fun, festive straw for sipping. Look for straws in holiday colors or patterns to match the theme.
Before pouring the milkshake into glasses, drizzle the inside of the glasses with chocolate syrup for an extra chocolatey touch.
Top your milkshake with whipped cream, and you can even mix crushed candy canes or peppermint extract through it for a more minty flavor.
Stick a whole candy cane into it so that the crook hangs over the rim of the glass, and add chocolate sprinkles, a dusting of crushed candy canes, and even mini marshmallows for a texture contrast that gives a nod to hot chocolate.
And a classic maraschino cherry on top would not go amiss!
Substitutions and Variations
- Make a chocolate milkshake by using chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, or you could make an extra minty treat by using mint chocolate chip ice cream!
- Feel free to use mini candy cane Crushed peppermint candies will work instead of regular candy canes —or andes mints!
- For a lower sugar option, choose sugar-free ice cream and use a sugar-free peppermint syrup or extract instead of candy canes. Sugar-free chocolate chips are also available.
- You can use white chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips, or even chopped squares of peppermint bark in place of the chocolate chips. I found that peppermint bark alone doesn’t give enough peppermint flavor to the ice cream base though, which is why I recommend including the candy canes with them.
More Peppermint Recipes
- Homemade Peppermint Bark
- Peppermint Bark Caramel Corn
- Mini White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecakes
- Chocolate Peppermint Lasagna
- Peppermint Oreo Cookies
- Peppermint Ice Cream
Christmas
Peppermint Bark Fudge
Christmas
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cheesecake
Peppermint Bark Cheesecake
Peppermint Bark Milkshake
Ingredients
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream
- 1 cup milk
- 2 candy canes, crushed
- ¼ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
- Whipped cream, candy canes, and chocolate sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Add the ice cream and milk to a blender and blend until smooth– about 30 seconds. If you prefer a thinner milkshake, feel free to add another ½ cup of milk.
- Next add the candy canes and mini chocolate chips. Pulse the blender for 10-15 seconds, or until the candy is evenly distributed and only broken up slightly.
- Pour into your desired glasses and top with whipped cream, candy canes, and chocolate chips or sprinkles.
