Spiced Banana Caramel Milkshake Recipe

Is there any drink more wholesome than the classic American milkshake? Popularized in the early 20th century, believe it or not, this decadent ice cream drink actually started out as a whiskey-based beverage (via The Dairy Alliance). By the 1920s, it evolved into the delicious milkshake that we all know and love today.

The recipe developer, Jennine Rye of The Marshside Pantry, believes that the key to a good milkshake is to make sure you use the highest quality vanilla ice cream. Like any other recipe, you need to build a solid base of flavor for a great end result, and ice cream gives a good milkshake both body and richness. For the same reason, it's also important to use whole milk in this recipe. After all, if you are going to indulge in a milkshake, we think it's best to go all in.

This updated version of the banana milkshake is a great way to brighten up any day; it's thick, creamy, and full of flavor. Adding salted caramel and spices gives this beverage a delicious, modern twist while retaining the comforting nostalgia of a classic milkshake. Don't forget to heap on the whipped cream and add a straw or two for that old-fashioned diner feel!

The spiced banana caramel milkshake is easy to make, and this recipe will guide you through every step.

To make this spiced banana caramel milkshake, you will need to gather the ingredients. For this recipe, pick up a ripe banana,full-fat milk, vanilla ice cream, ground cinnamon, and salted caramel sauce to create the body of the milkshake. Be sure to grab dried banana chips and chopped pecans for the toppings as well.

You will also need whipping cream for the top of your milkshakes. The perfect finishing touch, no milkshake is truly complete without an ultra-decadent pile of whipped cream.

The cream is the topping for the milkshake and not the star of the show. However, we recommend you prepare this first, so it's ready to go. It's a simple step that ensures you can enjoy the milkshake fresh from the blender.

It is possible to use an electric whisk or a stand mixer, but if you want the best result, we recommend you take the pastry chef approach and use a hand whisk to whip up the cream. All you will need is a balloon whisk, a large bowl, and a minute or two of beating to end up with beautifully airy whipped cream. It's definitely worth the arm ache!

Once the hard work of whipping the cream is done, it is time to add the milkshake ingredients to a blender or food processor. Begin with the banana, peeling back the skin and breaking off large chunks of the fruit – these smaller pieces help it break down more quickly in the machine. Then, add the milk, ice cream, ground cinnamon, and salted caramel sauce to the pitcher.  Blend it until the mixture is smooth.

As soon as the milkshake is ready, pour it into two tall glasses and then top it with the whipped cream. You can do this by simply using a spoon to heap the cream on top of the milkshakes. To make things a little fancier, use a piping bag with a star-shaped nozzle to pipe the cream over your milkshakes. Then garnish the shakes with the banana chips and chopped pecans, finishing each glass off with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce. Beautiful and yummy!