Build Your Own Shake Recipe

Measure liquids and ice cream

Place 1 cup whole milk and 2 cups vanilla ice cream into the blender jar. If you want a thicker shake, add up to 1/2 cup ice; for a thinner shake, use less ice or increase milk by 1/4 cup.

Add 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the blender. These provide a balanced sweetness and enhance flavor; adjust to taste.

Select up to three add-ins from the Add-ins list. For fruit, add 1/2 cup banana slices or 1/2 cup strawberries. For peanut butter, add 2 tablespoons. For chocolate syrup, add 2 tablespoons. For cookies, add 1/4 cup crushed cookies. For coffee flavor, add 1 tablespoon cooled espresso. Add your chosen items to the blender.

Secure lid and blend on medium-high for 20–40 seconds until smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula if necessary, then blend an additional 10–15 seconds to fully incorporate add-ins like peanut butter or cookies. If the shake is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and blend briefly; if too thin, add 2–4 tablespoons of ice cream or 2 tablespoons of ice and blend again.

Pour the shake into a tall chilled glass. Top with 2 tablespoons whipped cream if desired. Drizzle 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup over the whipped cream or inside the glass before pouring for a visual stripe. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon chocolate shavings or crushed nuts and add extra cookie crumbs if you included cookies.

Serve immediately with a straw and long spoon. Encourage tasting and adjustment: additional syrup, sugar, or a pinch of salt can be added and briefly re-blended to fine-tune flavor.