5-Minute Peppermint Candy Milkshake

This peppermint candy milkshake turns leftover candy canes into a cool, creamy dessert that takes about five minutes to blend. It needs just vanilla ice cream, milk, and crushed peppermint candy.

A quick whirl in the blender gives you a thick shake with a clean mint flavor and little crunchy candy bits in every sip. It tastes like the best part of the holidays, no matter the season.

What Makes This Milkshake So Good

Real candy canes bring a crisp peppermint taste that syrups and extracts can’t copy. The tiny shards stay crunchy even after a few pulses, so you get a pop of texture with each swallow.

Vanilla ice cream keeps the shake rich and smooth, while a splash of vanilla extract rounds out the mint so it never turns sharp. It all comes together before you can find a clean straw.

Ingredients

• 3 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened: whole milk or premium brands give the creamiest body
• 1/2 cup whole milk: any milk works, but whole keeps it thick
• 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy canes: plus extra for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract: optional, but it smoothes out the peppermint edge
• Whipped cream and extra candy cane pieces: for serving

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the ice cream: use chocolate ice cream for a peppermint patty shake. Strawberry ice cream turns it into a candy cane berry mashup.
• Go dairy-free: a thick oat-based vanilla ice cream and oat milk work well. Avoid watery non-dairy milks, or the shake thins fast.
• Add a splash of peppermint schnapps: a tablespoon per glass makes it a frosty winter cocktail.
• Fold in mini chocolate chips: stir them in after blending for a stracciatella effect.

If peppermint and chocolate are your thing, try our Peppermint Brownies recipe.

How to Make Peppermint Candy Milkshake

Step 1: Blend the Milkshake Base

Add the 3 cups of slightly softened vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to a blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds, just until the mixture is smooth and leaves soft peaks when you lift the lid.

Step 2: Add the Crushed Candy

Drop in the 1/3 cup of crushed peppermint candy canes. Pulse the blender 3 to 4 times, roughly 5 seconds total. Stop when the candy scatters through the shake but before the pieces dissolve into pink dust, you want those crunchy pockets.

Step 3: Pour and Garnish

Pour the thick shake into two chilled glasses. Top each with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of the extra crushed candy cane pieces. Serve right away while it’s frosty and tall.

A Few Tips Before You Blend

• Stick your serving glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before you start. A cold glass holds the shake thick for a few extra minutes.
• Let the ice cream sit out for 5 to 8 minutes to soften. Scooping rock-hard ice cream leads to a thin, over-blended mess.
• Crush candy canes inside a sealed zip-top bag with a rolling pin, or give them a few pulses in a food processor. Aim for coarse sand with a few bigger specks.
• For a slicker, almost milkshake-shop texture, swap half the milk with heavy cream.

Scale it to how many you’re serving:

What Goes Well With This Milkshake

Warm, chewy chocolate chip cookies next to this frosty glass are never a bad idea, the melted chocolate and cold mint bounce off each other. Fudgy brownies work too, especially crumbled on top. For a lighter contrast, pour it alongside a slice of angel food cake with fresh berries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mint extract instead of candy canes?

You can, but you lose the crunchy bits. Use 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and throw in a handful of white chocolate chips for some texture.

How do I crush candy canes neatly?

Seal them in a plastic bag, cover with a kitchen towel, and whack them with a rolling pin. The towel keeps the shards from flying across the counter.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes. Pick a thick dairy-free vanilla ice cream and use oat milk. Thin plant milks make the shake watery, so stick with something creamy.

Can I blend this ahead of time?

Not really. Milkshakes separate and turn icy within minutes. Have the candy crushed and glasses cold, then blend right when you’re ready to drink.

Peppermint Candy Milkshake Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 570

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candy canes
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Whipped cream and extra candy cane pieces, for serving

Method

 

1. Blend the ice cream, milk, and vanilla on high until smooth, about 30 seconds.
2. Pulse in the crushed candy canes 3 to 4 times, just enough to distribute the bits.
3. Pour into glasses, top with whipped cream and extra candy, and serve right away.

Notes

This shake is best the second it leaves the blender. The candy settles and the texture thins if it sits. For an even thicker shake, toss in an extra half cup of ice cream before blending.