A thick, creamy Malted Milkshake that’s easy to make and tastes just like an old-school diner treat—blend a few ingredients and enjoy!
Malted Milkshake
Milkshakes are delicious, but in my opinion, nothing compares to a good thick and creamy malt! And this malted milkshake recipe is our absolute favorite!
Many people think malts and milkshakes are the same, but they’re not. While they have a lot in common, there are some important differences.
Quick Tip
So, is a malt better than a shake? It really depends on your taste. If you enjoy Ovaltine, Whoppers, or those robin eggs that are popular at Easter, you probably like malt powder. This means you might prefer malts! If you just love milkshakes, you might like regular milkshakes more. (You could start with a Strawberry Milkshake to see what you think.)
What Is A Malt?
A malt or malted milkshake is a milkshake that has malted milk powder mixed in. This malt powder makes the milkshake taste richer and toastier, and also makes it thicker.
Malted Milkshake Ingredients
- Vanilla bean ice cream: This is the base of the malt, so use good ice cream—you’ll really taste it. I like Tillamook® Vanilla Bean (not sponsored).
- Whole milk: You can use 2%, whole, or half-and-half. More fat means a thicker, creamier malt.
- Vanilla extract: Optional, but adds that classic malt shop flavor.
- Salt: A tiny pinch helps balance the sweetness and brings out all the flavors.
- Chocolate syrup: Adds more chocolate flavor. I like Torani®, Ghiradelli®, or Hershey® (not sponsored).
- Malted milk powder: I talk more about this in the next part.
What Is Malted Milk Powder?
Malted milk powder is a mix of barley, wheat, and milk. It tastes sweet and a little nutty—perfect for milkshakes!
You can find it in most grocery stores—look near the flour or hot chocolate mixes. It’s also easy to buy online. I like the Carnation® brand best (not sponsored).
Quick Tip
I use chocolate milk powder for this particular malted milkshake, but there are also vanilla milk powders if you’d prefer a different flavor.
Malted Milkshake Tips
- Stick your glass in the freezer first so the malt stays cold and thick.
- Malts are thick, so follow the recipe and make sure everything’s cold—ice cream straight from the freezer, and milk and chocolate sauce from the fridge.
- A good blender mixes everything fast without making it runny. A weak blender can overmix and thin it out.
Malt Variations
- Vanilla version: Use vanilla malt powder instead of chocolate. Skip the chocolate sauce or swap it for caramel.
- No blender? Mix everything in a bowl with a spoon or spatula. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
- Use chocolate ice cream: For extra chocolate flavor, use chocolate ice cream.
- Make it thinner: Add a bit more milk or blend the malted milkshake longer.
- Add extras: Top with whipped cream, more sauce, and candy like mini chips, peanut butter cups, or broken cookies. Or add malted milk balls like Whoppers®!
- Decorate the glass: Squeeze chocolate or caramel sauce around the inside before adding the malt.
Quick Tip
Malted Milkshakes are best enjoyed right after being made! If the quantity won’t be consumed shortly after being made, we’d recommend cutting the recipe in half or thirds — it scales down (or up) very nicely!
More Ice Cream Treats
- Ice Cream Sandwich Cake with only four ingredients
- Oreo Ice Cream Cake with an Oreo cookie crust
- Mint Ice Cream Bars with a brownie base
- Ice Cream Pie with a graham cracker crust
- Spumoni Ice Cream Bars cherry, chocolate, and pistachio!
Malted Milkshake
Equipment
- Blender high-powered
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons whole milk
- 3/4 cup malted milk powder see note 2
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 5 tablespoons chocolate syrup
- 1 (1.5-quart) container vanilla ice cream see note 3
- Whipped cream optional
Instructions
- Chill glasses in the freezer to get them cold.
- In a high-powered blender, combine the milk, malted milk powder, salt, vanilla, and chocolate syrup. Blend until smooth. Next, add in the ice cream and blend until just incorporated. Don’t over blend, as that will thin out the malt.
- Pour the malt into a cold glass, and if desired, top with whipped cream and any other toppings of your choice.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I was looking for a chocolate malted milkshake recipe after buying some malted milk from king arthur flour for their pancakes. I never liked whoppers but wanted to see if Id like the milkshakes and they were delicious! A hit with the whole family, thanks for the recipe!
Yay! So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Ashley! 🙂
Certainly the best chocolate malt milk shake that I have ever had. Mixing the milk, malt and chocolate ahead was new to me and a good plan. Thanks for the recipe and the milk malt powder recommendation!
I am SO thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Matt! 🙂