Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large ripe bananas (fresh or frozen), broken into chunks
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream (about 6 scoops)
- ¾ cup whole milk (adjust for desired thickness)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional, if bananas aren’t very ripe)
- Pinch of salt (optional, enhances flavor)
- 4-5 ice cubes (optional, only if using fresh bananas)
For Serving (Optional):
- Whipped cream
- Sliced banana
- Chocolate or caramel drizzle
- Crushed graham crackers or vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Prepare Your Bananas – If using fresh bananas, peel them and break into chunks. For the thickest, coldest shake, use frozen banana chunks! To freeze bananas: peel ripe bananas, break into 1-inch pieces, and freeze on a parchment-lined tray for 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen bananas create the best texture without watering down your shake.
- Soften Ice Cream Slightly – Remove vanilla ice cream from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 3-5 minutes until it’s soft enough to scoop easily but still very cold and firm. This makes blending easier and prevents your blender motor from straining. Don’t let it melt – it should still hold its shape!
- Add Ingredients to Blender – Place ingredients in this strategic order for best results: milk first (helps blades move freely), then banana chunks, vanilla ice cream scoops, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. If using fresh (not frozen) bananas, add 4-5 ice cubes for thickness. Don’t add optional honey yet – taste first!
- Start Blending on Low – Secure the blender lid and start on the lowest speed setting for 10-15 seconds. This breaks down the larger pieces without straining the motor. You’ll hear the blender working to incorporate everything.
- Increase to Medium-High Speed – Once ingredients start moving, gradually increase to medium-high speed. Blend for 30-45 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and uniformly combined with no banana or ice cream chunks remaining. Use the blender’s tamper if you have one to push ingredients toward the blades.
- Stop and Scrape Down Sides – Turn off the blender and use a spatula to scrape down any ingredients stuck to the sides. This ensures everything blends evenly and you don’t waste any of that delicious shake!
- Blend Again Briefly – Give it one more 10-15 second blend to make sure everything is perfectly smooth and creamy.
- Check Consistency and Adjust – Your shake should be thick and creamy but still pourable – think soft-serve ice cream consistency. If it’s too thick and won’t blend, add 2-3 tablespoons more milk and pulse briefly. If it’s too thin, add another scoop of ice cream or a few more frozen banana chunks and blend again.
- Taste and Perfect – Give your shake a taste! If it needs more sweetness (depends on banana ripeness), add 1-2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup and blend for 10 seconds. If you want stronger vanilla flavor, add another ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Serve Immediately – Pour into tall glasses and serve right away while perfectly cold and thick! Top with whipped cream, a banana slice, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce if desired. Enjoy with a thick straw or spoon!
Notes
- Banana Ripeness: Brown-spotted or slightly overripe bananas are ideal – they’re sweeter and more flavorful than green or barely-yellow bananas.
- Frozen vs. Fresh Bananas: Frozen bananas create a thicker, colder shake without needing ice. If using fresh, add ice cubes for thickness.
- Milk Amount: Start with less milk (½ cup) and add more as needed. It’s easier to thin a shake than thicken it!
- Ice Cream Quality: Premium ice cream makes a noticeably better shake. Look for brands with cream as the first ingredient.
- Blending Time: Don’t over-blend! 30-45 seconds is usually enough. Over-blending warms the shake and makes it thin.
- Sweetness: Ripe bananas usually provide enough sweetness. Only add honey if needed after tasting.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 milkshake (approximately 14 oz)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 52g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg