5 Minute Amazing Candy Cane Milkshake

Okay, I know the tree might be down, but I swear, we all have those rogue candy canes lurking in a bowl somewhere, right? Don’t let those festive peppermint lovelies go stale! I’m Carla, and my whole philosophy over here at Carla’s Cooking is about taking good, simple ingredients—even holiday leftovers—and turning them into something joyful fast. That’s why I developed this recipe for the easiest, supremely creamy candy cane milkshake you will ever make. Seriously, we are talking five minutes from start to sip. Forget complicated drinks; this is the perfect post-holiday treat that tastes like a dream but requires zero stress.

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If you want to read a little more about my journey from a hectic marketing job to rediscovering the joy of my grandmother’s kitchen, you can check out my About page. But now, let’s focus on making this shake incredible!

Why This Easy Candy Cane Milkshake Recipe Works (E-E-A-T)

The best part about this candy cane milkshake is how quickly it comes together. It’s designed for those moments when you need a sweet fix right now, not thirty minutes from now. I’ve tweaked this blend until it’s perfectly smooth every single time. My goal was always to use up those extra treats without ending up with shards of hard candy in your drink, which is just disappointing.

Quick Prep Time for Your Candy Cane Shake

We’re talking five minutes total prep time, which is unbelievable for something this decadent! There’s zero cook time involved, naturally, since we’re blending cold ingredients. This rapid turnaround makes it the ideal recipe when you’re relaxing post-holiday and don’t want to stand over a stove. Trust me, this quick candy cane shake is my go-to for instant dessert satisfaction.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Candy Cane Milkshake

When making my ultra-creamy candy cane milkshake, I stick exactly to these measurements. Using quality ingredients ensures that creamy texture we talked about earlier! You’ll notice I’ve added small notes in the list below to make sure you’re ready for that blending step.

Ingredient Clarity and Measurements

• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
• 6 large candy canes, crushed (remember to save some for the top!)
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (this part is entirely optional, just taste first!)
• Whipped cream, for topping—be generous here!
• 1 small candy cane, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Peppermint Milkshake

Alright, let’s get blending! Making this gorgeous peppermint milkshake is mostly about preparation and not messing up the texture once it hits the blender. Follow these steps exactly, and you’ll have that dreamy, thick restaurant-quality shake in minutes. You can pop your serving glasses in the freezer now if you want them super frosty!

Crushing the Candy Canes Correctly

First things first, we need to tame those stripes! Take your six large candy canes and pop them right into a sturdy plastic bag—double-bagging is smart if the plastic feels thin. Grab a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan—don’t be shy! You need to smash these things down until they are mostly fine pieces. This is crucial so your shake isn’t chunky. As you’re crushing, set aside just a tiny bit of those crushed bits because we need them later for sprinkling on top. That’s how we build flavor layers!

Blending to Achieve the Perfect Candy Cane Milkshake Consistency

Now for the machine work. Into the blender goes the vanilla ice cream, the milk, most of your crushed candy canes (save the garnish ones!), and that optional little splash of peppermint extract if you want that extra minty kick. Start blending on medium speed. Keep an eye on it! You want it smooth and creamy, not watery. If it’s refusing to move, add your milk in teaspoon increments until the blades catch. Seriously, stop blending the second it looks perfectly smooth. Over-blending heats the ice cream up and makes your beautiful candy cane milkshake runny, which we absolutely don’t want. Once it’s thick and gorgeous, pour it straight into those chilled glasses! Desserts this easy should always turn out this well!

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Tips for the Best Candy Cane Milkshake Experience

I want every single person who tries my candy cane milkshake recipe to have success, even if you’re just starting out in the kitchen. Honestly, the secret to making this feel truly special isn’t about adding five extra ingredients; it’s about minor adjustments so it tastes exactly like what *you* want!

Ingredient Tweaks for Your Holiday Ice Cream Drink

If you’re looking for that intense, frosty coolness in your holiday ice cream drink, that little dash of peppermint extract is your best friend. But, if you taste the shake before pouring and think, “Whoa, Carla, that’s a bit much mint for me,” don’t panic! Just dial it back to an eighth of a teaspoon, or skip it entirely—the candy canes still give you that wonderful flavor. Also, remember that whole milk makes this thick and rich, but if you use 2%, it’ll be slightly thinner. If you’re stuck with thinner milk and your shake is too runny, here’s my insider tip: I sometimes add just one extra scoop of ice cream instead of more milk to bring the thickness right back up! That keeps the indulgence factor high for this fantastic candy cane milkshake.

Make-Ahead and Quick Serving Tips for This Candy Cane Shake

Since this is a speedy candy cane shake, really, the only ‘make-ahead’ step is making sure your glasses are ready to go! You don’t want to try storing a finished milkshake; it just turns into peppermint soup once the ice cream melts. But we can totally prep for speed!

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Seriously, take five minutes before you even start crushing those candy canes to pop your serving glasses—tall ones are the prettiest—into the freezer. Chilling your glasses is one of those small things my grandmother taught me that makes a massive difference. When you pour that thick, icy treat into a pre-frozen cold glass, it buys you extra time before it starts weeping down the sides. That means less frantic sipping and more time enjoying that beautiful, creamy texture of your candy cane shake.

Also, if you have kids standing right there asking when it’s done (mine always do!), have the whipped cream canister ready and waiting. You want the crushed candy sprinkles to stick to the whipped cream, so you shouldn’t put those on until the absolute second it’s time to serve. Presentation is everything when you’re making a special holiday ice cream drink like this!

Serving Suggestions for Your Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe

You’ve poured the perfect glass of that icy, minty goodness, and now we need to make it *look* like the show-stopper it truly is! Since this peppermint ice cream recipe is naturally bright and festive, presentation is half the fun, especially if the kids are involved. You don’t need much effort to take this from just a “shake” to a proper holiday dessert experience.

Whipped cream is non-negotiable, of course. When you pipe that swirl way up high on top, that’s when you drop your reserved crushed candy canes right onto it. They stick perfectly to the cream and just look so intentional! But if you want to go the extra mile without doing any extra cooking—because we like simple here—I have a couple of ideas.

First, drizzle a little chocolate syrup right into the glass *before* you pour the milkshake in. When the shake goes in, it swirls around the chocolate, giving you lovely brown ribbons throughout the pink peppermint. It adds a totally different dimension to the flavor, too!

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Second, if you are serving this around the dinner table, forget plain glasses. Grab some fun, slightly retro-looking glasses or mugs. If you have some red and white striped straws lying around, pull those out! Presentation really elevates a simple treat like this peppermint ice cream recipe. If you are looking for other simple ideas for drinks and beverages that impress without stress, check out my collection of easy drink recipes for inspiration!

Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Candy Cane Milkshake

Since this candy cane milkshake is so fast, sometimes folks have quick questions popping up as they’re putting the ingredients out. I get it! I’ve pulled together the most common things people ask me when they’re whipping this up for the first time. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have another question; you can always find my contact info on the Contact page!

Can I make this candy cane milkshake without peppermint extract?

Absolutely, yes! That’s a fantastic question, especially if you don’t keep extract on hand. The six large candy canes we crush are packing a lot of flavor on their own, so you will still get that lovely minty taste in your shake. The extract is really just there to boost that chill factor and make the peppermint pop a little louder. My advice? Blend it first without the extract. Then, take a tiny taste—just a spoonful! If you think, “It needs more mint,” then add just a splash of the extract. It’s easier to add than to take away!

What milk works best for a thick peppermint milkshake?

This is all about achieving that perfect creamy texture we are aiming for, remember? Because we want this peppermint milkshake to hold that whipped cream high, I always recommend using whole milk. The higher fat content helps keep the entire shake richer and denser. You can definitely use 2% milk if that’s what you have, and it will turn out just fine, but it’ll be slightly thinner overall.

Now, skim milk? I’d steer clear of that for this recipe. Skim milk is just too watery, and you’ll end up having to add way more ice cream to compensate just so it freezes up right. If we’re making a treat, we might as well make it count with the whole dairy goodness!

Can I use butter mints or other hard candies instead of candy canes?

Oh, that’s an interesting thought! If you use butter mints, the flavor will obviously change a lot, leaning creamy and buttery rather than minty. If you are swapping out the candy canes for other hard candies, just know you are creating a brand new flavor profile! If you try to use non-peppermint candy canes (like cherry), remember you might need to add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to keep that cool, classic holiday feeling in your candy cane milkshake. Texture-wise, any hard candy should crush just fine.

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for This Candy Cane Milkshake

Listen, this is a total indulgence, not a light diet drink, so let’s look at the numbers for this glorious candy cane milkshake! I always test my recipes using standard measurements for whole milk and name-brand ice cream, so these figures are a solid estimate based on that. Remember, every scoop and sprinkle changes things, but this gives you a good idea of what you’re enjoying.

Per serving, you’re looking at approximately:

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 18g (with 11g Saturated Fat)
• Carbohydrates: 70g
• Protein: 8g

It’s packed with flavor, and while it’s higher in sugar (hello, ice cream and candy canes!), it’s a perfect treat for a special afternoon. Don’t let the numbers stress you out—enjoy the festive goodness!

Share Your Simple, Joyful Candy Cane Shake Creation

That’s it! You have successfully transformed those leftover candy canes into the easiest, most refreshing candy cane milkshake for your post-holiday wind-down. I truly hope this recipe brought a little bit of that cozy, joyful spirit back to your kitchen, just like my grandmother always intended when she cooked.

Now, I absolutely love hearing from you all! When you try this, I want to know how it went, and if you managed to keep the kids from drinking it all immediately. Please take a moment to go back up to the top of the post and give this recipe a quick star rating if you loved how simple and creamy it turned out. Your feedback helps me know exactly which simple recipes for everyday meals are making your week easier.

If you snapped a picture of your perfectly garnished shake, please share it over on social media and tag me! Seeing your creations reminds me why I love sharing these easy recipes that focus on joy over complication. You can also browse all my other quick desserts over on the Carla’s Cooking blog for more ideas to keep that feeling going!

Easy Candy Cane Milkshake

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Make a creamy, refreshing peppermint milkshake using leftover candy canes for a simple, festive treat.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 0 min
• Total Time: 5 min
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 4 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
• 6 large candy canes, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
• Whipped cream, for topping
• 1 small candy cane, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Place the 6 large candy canes into a sturdy plastic bag. Use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to crush them until they are mostly fine pieces. Set aside a small amount of crushed candy for topping.
2. In a blender, combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, most of the crushed candy canes, and the optional peppermint extract.
3. Blend on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the milkshake is too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Avoid over-blending to keep it thick.
4. Pour the milkshake into two tall glasses.
5. Top each serving generously with whipped cream.
6. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes over the whipped cream.
7. Garnish each glass with one small candy cane stuck into the whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For an extra thick shake, chill your serving glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before pouring.
• If you are looking for simple recipes for everyday meals that taste great, this is a good option.
• If you prefer a less intense peppermint flavor, reduce the extract to 1/8 teaspoon or omit it entirely.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 milkshake
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 65
• Sodium: 150
• Fat: 18
• Saturated Fat: 11
• Unsaturated Fat: 7
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 70
• Fiber: 0
• Protein: 8
• Cholesterol: 65