What are the best toppings for a milkshake?
The classic milkshake toppings are whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry, plus chocolate or caramel syrup. For more variety, add crushed cookies, candy, nuts or fresh fruit. Add heavier toppings last so they sit on top, and stir mix-ins in by hand after blending so they stay in pieces.
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What are good toppings for a milkshake?
Start with the diner classic: whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. Then pick toppings that fit the flavor of the shake. The pairings below are ideas, not rules.
Toppings by shake flavor
| Shake | Topping ideas |
|---|---|
| Vanilla | Chocolate or caramel syrup, crushed cookies, fresh berries |
| Chocolate | Whipped cream, chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, peanut butter |
| Strawberry | Fresh strawberries, whipped cream |
| Banana | Caramel, crushed cookies, chopped nuts |
| Cookies and cream | Crushed sandwich cookies, whipped cream |
| Peanut butter | Chopped peanuts, chocolate syrup |
Topping groups
- Syrups and spreads: Chocolate sauce, caramel or maple syrup, Nutella or peanut butter.
- Cookies and cereal: Crushed sandwich cookies or cereal, added by hand just before serving.
- Fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, banana or cherries.
- Candy: M&M’s, chocolate chips, chopped candy bars.
- Nuts: Toasted peanuts, slivered almonds or crushed pecans.
- Finishing touches: Whipped cream, sprinkles, a cherry.
How to keep the shake thick
- Use full-fat ice cream. One recipe uses 1 cup of ice cream to 1/3 cup of milk; extra liquid makes the shake thinner.
- Skip ice cubes, which dilute it, and blend only until smooth.
- Chill the glass in the freezer first so the shake stays cold longer.
- Have all toppings ready, because a shake melts quickly once poured.
Fun presentation ideas
- Dip the glass rim in syrup, then in sprinkles
- Drizzle syrup inside the glass before pouring
- Add a skewer of marshmallows or a small cookie on the side
Common mistakes
Over-blending makes the shake too soft, so blend only until smooth and add crushed cookies or cereal by hand. Too much liquid makes the shake runny. Serve right away, as shakes melt fast.
People also ask
What are the classic milkshake toppings?
Whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry, often with chocolate or caramel syrup.
How do I keep a milkshake thick?
Use full-fat ice cream with only a little milk, skip ice cubes, blend only until smooth and chill the glass.
Can I put cookies in a milkshake?
Yes. Crush them and add them by hand before serving.
Sources
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