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    Home >> Recipes >> Vegan Dessert Recipes

    Vegan Milkshake Without Ice Cream

    Updated Aug 3, 2023 by Lori · This post contains affiliate links.

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    Vegan milkshakes are easy to make from scratch and taste SO good no one will miss the dairy! And here's the fun part - instead of using non-dairy ice cream, we're making milkshake cubes. Think of it like meal prep for milkshakes!

    All you need are 5 ingredients, a blender, and an ice cube tray (or other freezer-safe container). Then store the cubes in the freezer, and when you're ready to make vegan milkshakes, simply add a splash of non-dairy milk and blend! It's versatile, sweet, loaded with vanilla, and the perfect base for ALL of your favorite flavors and additions.

    Vegan strawberry milkshake in a tall glass garnished with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
    Pictured: Vegan strawberry milkshake made with fresh strawberries, oat milk, and homemade milkshake cubes.

    Vegan milkshake cubes for the win!

    Not only are homemade vegan milkshakes unbelievably delicious, they're also healthier and endlessly customizable. Plus, why drive to the store and spend all that money on ice cream ($$$) when you can make your own milkshake base in minutes?

    Recently we were in Milwaukee and decided to pick up lunch at Twisted Plants, an all-vegan, burgers-and-chick'n-sandwiches kind of place.

    Hungry as I was, when I spotted milkshakes on their menu, I had to add one to our order of burgers and fries.

    One sip and I was beside myself! I'm not even kidding. It tasted so much like a classic vanilla fast food milkshake that I actually paused to wonder if it was really vegan.

    Jump to:
    • Vegan milkshake cubes for the win!
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Milkshake Cubes
    • How to Make a Vegan Milkshake
    • How to Thicken Milkshakes
    • Vegan Milkshake Flavors
    • Serving
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Top Tip
    • More Vegan Ice Cream
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Thankfully, the milkshake had a very subtle and familiar soy undertone, so I felt confident that it was in fact a vegan milkshake.

    Anyway, after our long drive back to North Carolina, I still had milkshakes on my mind. Plus it's it's late July and hot heck outside. So I started thinking...

    I have quite a few vegan ice cream recipes on the blog, and it dawned on me that freezing a sweeter, condensed version of this vanilla oat milk ice cream could serve as a shortcut for milkshakes.

    I don't know about you, but we don't always have ice cream in the freezer, and when we do we tend to devour it quickly. So these cubes are like the perfect backup "ice cream," making it easy to blend milkshakes whenever the mood strikes.

    Ingredients

    Labeled photo of the 5 ingredients needed to make milkshakes.
    • Non-dairy milk: For the cubes and to blend the milkshakes, I like to use oat milk, soy milk, or a combination of the two since they're creamier and more neutral in flavor than other milks. More on this in the FAQs below.
    • Fat: For flavor and consistency, we need a small amount of added fat. I used raw cashews, but you could also use nut or seed butters like almond, tahini, sunbutter, or peanut butter. Or if you're a fan of coconut, coconut cream is an option.
    • Sweetener: I wanted the most authentic, pure vanilla milkshake flavor, so I used regular sugar. I'm currently using this vegan cane sugar from Whole Foods, but feel free to use any sweetener that works for you. Maple syrup, agave, dates, date syrup, light brown sugar - any of these will work, though they will impact the flavor and color.
    • Vanilla: Again, for that nostalgic, fast food milkshake taste, I opted for clear imitation vanilla (highly recommend). Pure vanilla extract is fine, too.
    • Starch: Cornstarch is commonly used in ice cream for its extra creamy mouthfeel. I considered using oats, like in my oat ice cream, but decided this would be simpler. Sub arrowroot if needed. Since these require heat to activate, we're going to combine the starch with a portion of the milk, then bring it to a simmer on the stove. But don't worry, it only takes a few minutes.
    • Guar gum (optional): Guar gum is a cold soluble stabilizer that prevents separation. I use one from Modernist Pantry (click the blue link to see it on Amazon). Did you know McDonald's even adds guar gum to their dairy milkshakes? See below for other options.

    See the recipe card below for quantities and complete instructions.

    How to Make Milkshake Cubes

    Whisking corn starch into non-dairy milk.

    Whisk the corn starch or arrowroot into non-dairy milk to create a slurry.

    Heating corn starch slurry on the stovetop to add to vegan milkshake base.

    Bring the starch slurry just to a boil, whisking frequently, then remove from heat.

    Blending milk and nuts for our dairy-free milkshake base.

    Next, blend the remaining milk with the cashews (or other nut/seed) until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and starch mixture, and blend again.

    An oat-cashew mixture poured into an ice cube tray, ready to go in the freezer.

    Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or other freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 3 to 4 hours.

    Note: The mixture doesn't freeze rock solid thanks to the sugar, starch, and fat. So if you don't own ice cube trays and need to use a larger mold/container, you'll be able to cut the frozen mixture into smaller chunks before blending.

    How to Make a Vegan Milkshake

    Non-dairy milk and milkshake cubes in a blender.

    When you're ready to blend a milkshake, use 8 cubes (6 ½ ounces / 185 grams) and ⅓ cup milk per serving. Start on low speed and increase to high, blending just until creamy.

    And that's all there is to it, unless you want to add a thickener.

    How to Thicken Milkshakes

    The cornstarch included in the base of these vegan milkshakes improves the overall creaminess and texture. But there are additional tricks you can use to make any milkshake thicker and homogenized (as in, prevent the separation of frozen parts and liquid):

    • Guar gum: Guar gum is cold soluble and commonly used in commercial non-dairy milks and even in dairy-based milkshakes. In fact, I got the idea to use it after reviewing the ingredients in McDonald's shakes. Since I already had guar gum on hand, this was an easy choice!
      With Modernist Pantry's "Perfected Guar Gum" you only need about ½ teaspoon guar gum powder per milkshake (but be sure to review the directions on the brand you're using). Guar gum is also helpful for preventing separation in homemade nut milk and oat milk.
    • Frozen banana: Just a few slices of frozen banana is enough to boost the thickness of a milkshake without adding too much banana flavor. Or if you want a banana-flavored milkshake, add even more! You can even replace some of the frozen cubes with banana for a low-fat milkshake.
    • Silken tofu: A large spoonful of silken tofu adds protein and a creamy density.
    • Protein powder: For a protein shake, add your favorite plant-based protein powder to the blender. Depending on the flavor and your desired result, you may only need a small amount, not necessarily a full scoop. Add more as desired.
    Creamy vegan milkshake in a tall glass topped with non-dairy Redi-wip and pastel sprinkles.

    Vegan Milkshake Flavors

    • Chocolate: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vegan chocolate sauce and a teaspoon of cocoa powder. Taste and adjust sweetness.
    • Strawberry: Add ¾ to 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries per shake.
    • Peanut Butter: Use peanut butter instead of cashews in the milkshake cubes, or simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the blender. For a reduced fat option, use powdered peanut butter such as PB2.
    • Nut-Free Sunbutter: For a nut-free vegan milkshake, use sunflower seed butter in the base and oat or soy milk
    • Mint: Add a scant ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and/or fresh mint leaves. Also great combined with the cookies & cream option below!
    • Shamrock shake: In addition to the mint mentioned above, add a few drops of natural green food coloring or fresh spinach leaves.
    • Cookies and cream: add 3 or 4 Oreos or other vegan sandwich cookie per serving.

    Serving

    Serve milkshakes immediately after blending. Use frosted glasses to help slow down the melting process.

    In the mood for a garnish? These are great toppings for milkshakes:

    • Sprinkles - I use Sweetapolita's vegan sprinkles for special occasions (like birthday cake); Whole Foods also has vegan options.
    • Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
    • crushed cookies - like Oreos, ginger snaps, chocolate chip, or peanut butter cookies
    • Non-dairy whipped topping - such as non-dairy Redi-wip or So Delicious Coco Whip. Or make your own vegan whipped cream with aquafaba!
    • Whipped coconut cream
    • Dried coconut
    • Fresh fruit - a must for fruit shakes like strawberry and peach!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's the best non-dairy milk to use for milkshakes?

    For a creamy consistency and neutral flavor, soy and oat milk are our top choices. Oat creamer is also great. For a richer milkshake, try canned lite coconut milk. It's higher in fat than most milks but the coconut taste isn't as strong as in full-fat coconut milk.

    Can you make milkshakes with vegan ice cream?

    Absolutely! Just as you would with dairy-based milkshakes, store-bought vegan ice cream and non-dairy milk may be used to make vegan milkshakes at home. Alternatively, use this recipe to stock your freezer with milkshake cubes!

    Do I need a high-speed blender?

    A high-speed blender like a Vitamix is ideal for this recipe, but there are shortcuts you can take to make blending easier with a standard blender. Use nut butter in the base mixture instead of whole nuts, and chop the frozen milkshake cubes into smaller pieces before adding them to the blender.

    Top Tip

    For extra thick and creamy vegan milkshakes, use no more than ¼ to ⅓ cup non-dairy milk per 8 cubes. If the milkshake becomes too thin, add more frozen milkshake cubes or a few slices of frozen banana to make it thicker.

    More Vegan Ice Cream

    • close up of creamy scoops of pumpkin ice cream in a bowl.
      Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream (No Coconut Milk)
    • overhead shot of ice cream in a loaf pan with a scoop
      Vegan Butter Pecan Ice Cream (No Coconut Milk)
    • scoops in a silver ice cream dish
      Chocolate Chickpea Ice Cream (No Nuts or Coconut)
    • scoops of vegan lemon ice cream in a waffle cone against a blue background.
      Vegan Lemon Oat Ice Cream

    I hope you enjoy this vegan milkshake as much as we do! If you try the recipe or have a favorite flavor, comment below to let us know!

    📖 Recipe

    A vegan vanilla milkshake in a hurricane glass topped with non-dairy whipped cream and sprinkles.

    Vegan Milkshake Without Ice Cream

    Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen
    Vegan milkshakes are easy to make from scratch and taste SO good no one will miss the dairy! Instead of using non-dairy ice cream, this recipe shows you how to make "milkshake cubes" - keep some in the freezer and when a craving hits, blend up a vegan milkshake in no time!
    Servings: 4 servings
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time: 12 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
    Freeze time: 4 hours hrs
    Total Time: 4 hours hrs 17 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • high-speed blender
    • ice cube tray - or other freezer-safe container

    Ingredients 

    For the Base:

    • 2 ½ cups unsweetened non-dairy milk such as oat or soy, divided
    • 2 tablespoons corn starch - or arrowroot
    • ⅔ cup raw cashews - or 3 Tbsp of your favorite nut or seed butter
    • ⅔ cup sugar - or maple syrup, date paste, etc; will alter flavor
    • 2 teaspoons clear imitation vanilla - or pure vanilla extract

    To Blend a Milkshake:

    • ¼ to ⅓ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
    • approx. ½ teaspoon guar gum powder, optional - see Notes for more options
    • Optional flavorings, see Notes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Note: as written this makes enough to fill two standard ice cube trays, which will make 4 small milkshakes. Scale as needed.
    • In a small saucepan combine 1 cup of the milk with the corn starch. Whisking frequently, bring just to a boil over medium heat. After a few seconds, remove from heat and set aside.
    • In a high-speed blender combine the remaining 1½ cups milk and cashews. Blend on high until completely smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and thickened starch mixture, and blend again to combine. Pour into an ice cube tray or other freezer-safe container, and freeze for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours. Once frozen, use a butter knife to pop the cubes out of the tray, and either make a milkshake or transfer to a freezer storage bag.
      Note: the mixture does not freeze rock-solid. So if freezing as one piece, you'll be able to use a sturdy knife to cut it into smaller chunks. This helps with blending.
    • To make a milkshake, combine 8 cubes (185 g), or half of the frozen mixture, with ¼ cup milk. Start on low speed and increase to high, blending just until creamy. Stop to stir and add another tablespoon of milk, if needed. Add the guar gum, if using, and blend for a few more seconds. *For the best results don't blend more than 2 servings at a time.
    • Tips: For extra thick and creamy vegan milkshakes, use no more than ⅓ cup non-dairy milk per 8 cubes (185 grams), and try not to over-blend. If the milkshake becomes too thin, add more frozen cubes or a few slices of frozen banana.
    • Pour into a frosted glass, add whipped cream or other toppings, and enjoy!

    Notes

    Ways to Thicken a Milkshake
    The cornstarch helps, but there are other tricks you can use to make any milkshake thicker, less icy, and prevent separation:
    • Guar gum: Guar gum is cold soluble and commonly used in commercial non-dairy milks and even in dairy-based milkshakes. With Modernist Pantry's "Perfected Guar Gum" you only need about ½ teaspoon of powder per milkshake Be sure to review the directions on the brand you're using. 
    • Frozen banana: Just a few slices of frozen banana will boost the thickness of a milkshake without adding too much banana flavor. If you want a banana milkshake add more! You can even replace some of the frozen cubes with banana for a low-fat milkshake.
    • Silken tofu: A large spoonful of silken tofu adds protein and a creamy density.
    • Protein powder: For a protein shake, add your favorite plant-based protein powder to the blender. Depending on the flavor and your desired result, you may only need a small amount, not necessarily a full scoop. 
    Flavors
    • Chocolate: Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vegan chocolate sauce and a teaspoon of cocoa powder. Taste and adjust sweetness.
    • Strawberry: Add ¾ to 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries per shake.
    • Peanut Butter: Use peanut butter instead of cashews in the milkshake cubes, or simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the blender. For a reduced fat option, use powdered peanut butter such as PB2.
    • Nut-Free Sunbutter: For a nut-free vegan milkshake, use sunflower seed butter in the base and oat or soy milk
    • Mint: Add a scant ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and/or fresh mint leaves. Also great combined with the cookies & cream option below!
    • Shamrock shake: In addition to the mint mentioned above, add a few drops of natural green food coloring or fresh spinach leaves.
    • Cookies and cream: add 3 or 4 Oreos or other vegan sandwich cookie per serving.

    Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

    Calories: 305kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 11gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 30mgFiber: 3g

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used. We calculate this information using the online calculator cronometer.com.

    Tried the recipe?I love hearing from you! Share your feedback below.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. MaryLynn

      August 20, 2023 at 12:34 pm

      We just made your vanilla milkshakes and I could kiss you! Lol AMAZING! Flavor and texture and everything, even better than I expected.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lori. Welcome to My Quiet Kitchen where I share easy vegan recipes with a healthier twist. Many are special diet-friendly or easily adapted. I also have a passion for veganizing classic desserts, and sometimes even those get a healthy-ish makeover.

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