Unicorn Cotton Candy Shake Recipe
our strawberry ice cream shake in a unicorn frosted glass, topped with a cupcake, cotton candy, lollipops & fun candy
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Ingredients
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Shake Base
Unicorn Frosting & Glass Decoration
Toppings & Garnish
Assembly Extras
Method
Shake Base
- 1
Combine ingredients
In a blender add 2.5 cups strawberry ice cream, 0.5 cup whole milk, 0.5 cup vanilla ice cream (if using), 0.25 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Add 2 drops pink food coloring if you want a brighter pink. Secure lid.
- 2
Unicorn Frosting & Glass Decoration
- 3
Prepare white chocolate glaze
Place 0.5 cup white chocolate chips (or candy melts) and 1 tbsp heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring between bursts, until fully melted and smooth. The glaze should be pourable but not thin—if too thick add a teaspoon of cream, if too thin chill 2–3 minutes.
- 4
Frost the glass rim
Stand your serving glass on a piece of parchment. Dip the rim of the glass into the warm white chocolate glaze, letting excess drip back into the bowl. Immediately press the glazed rim into the 3 tbsp multi-colored sprinkles and 2 tbsp pastel sanding sugar so the sprinkles stick to the glaze. If desired, drizzle some glaze down the inside walls of the glass for a whimsical look. Let set 2–3 minutes.
Toppings & Garnish
- 5
Top cupcake
Spread or pipe 1/4 cup buttercream frosting on the small cupcake. Add a few sprinkles to the cupcake top. If using a marshmallow twist as a horn, insert it into the cupcake center at a slight angle so it will sit upright when placed on the shake.
- 6
Arrange candies
Stick two small lollipops into the cupcake slightly off-center so their sticks are anchored in the frosting. Arrange 6 pieces of hard candy and about 8 mini marshmallows on and around the cupcake as extra decoration.
- 7
Prepare cotton candy
Pull a large pinch of cotton candy into a loose cloud. Keep it covered with a bowl or plastic wrap until immediate assembly to avoid it dissipating or melting from humidity.
Assembly Extras
- 8
Fill the glass
Pour the blended strawberry shake into the decorated glass, leaving about 1.5–2 inches of headspace at the top to accommodate toppings and the cupcake. Pour slowly to avoid disturbing the sprinkle-decorated rim.
- 9
Add whipped cream and cupcake
Pipe or dollop 1/2 cup whipped cream on top of the shake. Gently place the decorated cupcake on top of the whipped cream so it sits centered. If the cupcake slides, support it by nestling some mini marshmallows underneath.
- 10
Finish with cotton candy and lollipops
Place the cotton candy cloud next to or slightly over the cupcake (not touching the whipped cream directly if you want it to last longer). Insert the two lollipops so they emerge from behind the cupcake for a unicorn mane effect. Scatter any remaining candy shards or sprinkles over the whipped cream and around the cupcake for maximum visual impact.
- 11
Serve
Insert a wide straw into the shake beside the cupcake (not through cupcake). Present immediately to the guest; cotton candy will begin to dissipate in a few minutes. Recommend consuming within 5–10 minutes for best appearance and texture.