Dark sweet cherries, chunks of chocolate, and all the goodness in an easy, chunky cherry-chocolate milkshake you can eat with a spoon or sip with a straw — your choice. A simple, crowd-pleasing treat for warm nights.
This milkshake is intentionally thick and filled with fruit and chocolate pieces — you’ll likely want a spoon as much as a straw. If you enjoy blizzards, sundaes, or ice cream in general, this chunky cherry-chocolate milkshake is a perfect, refreshing option.
Why you will love this cherry milkshake:
- Simple to prepare. A few ingredients and a blender are all you need.
- Minimal ingredients. Classic milkshake components with a few extras for real flavor impact.
- Cold and satisfying. Ideal for hot evenings when a cool dessert hits the spot.
- Chunks of cherry and chocolate. It’s delightfully chunky — blend more for a straw-friendly texture or leave larger pieces and dig in with a spoon.
Ingredients:
- vanilla ice cream: Use classic vanilla to let the cherries and chocolate shine. Slightly softened is best.
- cherries: Fresh or frozen, pitted. Dark sweet cherries work particularly well. For an adult version, briefly soak thawed cherries in bourbon or rum.
- milk: Whole milk gives the creamiest result; 2% also works.
- vanilla extract: A small amount enhances the flavor.
- chocolate: A chopped chocolate bar or chips, dark or milk according to preference.
How to make the best cherry milkshake:
Start with slightly softened ice cream. If it’s too hard you’ll add too much milk and the shake can become thin.
Add the milk, cherries, and vanilla to a high-powered blender, then top with the softened ice cream. Blend on high until mostly smooth, adding a splash more milk only if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Stir in or pulse the chopped chocolate briefly so it breaks down to the size you prefer. Pulse in short bursts to keep some texture.
Pour into glasses, top with extra chopped chocolate and whipped cream if desired, and serve.
Expert Tips and Notes:
- Portion note: One large scoop of ice cream is roughly 1/2 cup. This recipe uses about 3 cups (six large scoops) of vanilla ice cream.
- Smoother option: For a super-smooth milkshake, use chocolate sauce (about 3 tablespoons) instead of chopped chocolate.
- Other add-ins: Mini M&M’s, chocolate sprinkles, crushed cookies, or another fruit can be added for variation.
Other frozen treat recipes:
- No-Churn Strawberry Ice Cream
- Lemon Ice Cream
- Homemade Jell-O Pudding Pops
- Peanut Butter Oreo Ice Cream
- Creamy Peach Popsicles
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Chocolate Cherry Milkshake
Ingredients
- 6 large scoops vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
- 1 c frozen cherries, slightly thawed
- 1 c milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 oz chocolate bar, roughly chopped
- whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- In a high-powered blender, add the milk, cherries, and vanilla. Add the softened ice cream and press down. Blend on high until mostly smooth.
- Add the chopped chocolate and pulse several times until the pieces are the size you like. Pour into glasses, top with extra chocolate or whipped cream if desired, and enjoy.
Notes
- One scoop ≈ 1/2 cup. This recipe uses about 3 cups (six large scoops) of vanilla ice cream.
- For a smoother shake: use chocolate sauce (about 3 tablespoons) instead of chopped chocolate.
- Other add-ins: mini M&M’s, chocolate sprinkles, crushed cookies, or additional fruit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guide.
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