Cookie Milkshake

By
Carroll Pellegrinelli
Carroll Pellegrinelli
Expert baker and published author, Carroll Pellegrinelli shares her knowledge of bread baking and desserts.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/23/22
Tested by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Tested by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Cookie Milkshake

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 8 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 8 mins
Servings: 3 servings
Yield: 3 1/2 to 4 cups

If you have too many holiday cookies lying around the house getting stale or went nuts buying Girl Scout cookies, make a milkshake.

Milkshakes as we know them, appeared about 100 years ago when the electric blender was invented in 1922. Before that, milkshakes were a variety of thick, sometimes alcoholic beverages mixed by hand with crushed ice. When the blender arrived, many new concoctions appeared, and the combination of ice cream with milk, fruit, chocolate, and flavored syrups took center stage. Since then, milkshakes have taken endless twists, but our recipe is one for the books. Simple, filling, and plain delicious.

You just need any cookie that you have on hand, the ice cream of your choice, and some milk. Blend to combine, then sit down and enjoy the "cookies" of your labor.

"The cookie milkshake makes a fantastic summer drink or dessert. My vanilla cookie milkshake tasted just like the chocolate chip cookies I put in it. The milkshake is ready in less than 10 minutes, and it's a treat the whole family will love." —Diana Rattray

Cookie Milkshake/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces (1 pint) ice cream, any flavor

  • 8 ounces (1 cup) whole milk

  • 4 to 8 small cookies

  • Sprinkles, optional

  • Chocolate, or caramel fudge, optional

  • Banana slices, optional

  • Strawberry slices, optional

  • Whipped cream, optional

  • Maraschino cherries, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for cookie milkshake recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. In a blender, blend the ice cream and milk. Be careful not to overmix because it can become too liquidy.

    Combined ice cream and milk in a blender

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Add the cookies to the blender and blend on medium speed until it reaches your desired consistency.

    Cookies added to the mixture in the blender

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. If using some of the optional ingredients, cover the inside of a tall glass with chocolate fudge, pour the milkshake in, and add some sliced bananas and strawberries.

    Milkshake with chocolate and fruit in a glass

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. You can crush some extra cookies on top for texture, if desired.

    Cookie milkshake in a glass with whipped cream and cherry

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Cookie Milkshake Party

Customized cookie milkshakes are a great idea for a children's party, but remember that many kids have peanut and dairy allergies. Have at hand dairy-free ice cream, oat or rice milk, and nut-free cookies (like Oreos or animal crackers).


For an out-of-this-world milkshake party, you need:

  • As many blenders as adult helpers.
  • Several types of cookies (gingerbread, chocolate, vanilla, sugar, lemon).
  • Many different toppings in small bowls (sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts, pretzels, fruit).
  • Decorations like little umbrellas, cardboard animals, and colorful straws.
  • Tall plastic glasses.


Here are some of our favorite combinations:

  • The Cookie Monster: Oreo cookies and vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
  • Peanut Butter Surprise: peanut butter ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.
  • Caramel Frappé: snickerdoodles and salted caramel ice cream. For a more adult version, offer coffee ice cream.
  • The Animal: animal crackers and vanilla ice cream.
  • Cookie Dough Milkshake: chocolate chip cookies and vanilla or chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
  • Gumby Shake: Thin Mints and chocolate or chocolate chip mint ice cream, a version of a Shamrock Shake.

Recipe Variations

  • Replace the whole milk with 3/4 cup of evaporated milk for a creamier, richer milkshake with a slight caramel flavor.
  • If using chocolate chip cookies, add a few extra tablespoons of chocolate chips or some chocolate syrup for more chocolate flavor.

Cookie Lids and Frozen Shakes

  • Another way to create a cute presentation with your cookie milkshakes is to place a large cookie on top of the milkshake. Poke a hole through it before you put the cookie on top and then stick a straw through the cookie.
  • Premake the cookie milkshakes and freeze them in zip-close bags to save time on preparation when you need them, or pour them into Popsicle molds for an emergency dessert.

How to Store

  • You probably won't have leftover milkshake, but if you do, store it in a covered container in the refrigerator. It's best enjoyed within 4 to 5 hours.
  • To freeze a milkshake, transfer it to a freezer container. Defrost it in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until softened, then stir and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
625 Calories
32g Fat
74g Carbs
11g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3
Amount per serving
Calories 625
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g 42%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Sodium 322mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 74g 27%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 54g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 297mg 23%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 499mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)