Carrot Cake Milkshake

This milkshake is a unique and delightful dessert beverage that blends the warm spices, sweetness, and creaminess of carrot cake into a cold, thick shake. It combines vanilla ice cream, milk, cooked carrots, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for an authentic cake flavor. It's the perfect way to enjoy the essence of a beloved dessert without turning on the oven.
Carrot Cake Milkshake

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is classified as a milkshake due to its ice cream and milk base. It falls under the dessert drink category, as it's a sweet, indulgent treat often consumed in place of a traditional dessert.

Serving

Serve this substantial, non-alcoholic dessert drink cold in a large, chilled milkshake or pint glass to keep it thick and frosty.
Serving size
~450 ml / 15 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Milkshake Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

This recipe is a modern culinary invention, born from the trend of gourmet and deconstructed desserts. It reflects a creative desire to transform classic baked goods into new and exciting forms, allowing people to experience familiar, comforting flavors in an unexpected way. It has become a popular treat in specialty shake shops and cafes that pride themselves on innovative flavor combinations.
Origin
While carrot cake has a long history, this milkshake version is a contemporary creation, likely originating in the United States in the 21st century. It rose in popularity with the gourmet milkshake trend that saw many classic desserts transformed into blended drinks.

Carrot Cake Milkshake

The drink is most commonly known as the Carrot Cake Milkshake, though it is sometimes shortened to Carrot Cake Shake. There are no other widely recognized names for this specific beverage.
Original name
Carrot Cake Milkshake
Alternative name
Carrot Cake Shake

Characteristics overview

This milkshake has a thick, creamy texture and a pale orange hue, with sweet aromas of vanilla and warm spices. The flavor is a delightful balance of earthy carrot and sweet cake batter, making it a comforting treat for any season.
Flavor
Sweet, Spiced, Creamy, Earthy, Vanilla
Aroma
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Sweet, Vanilla, Creamy
Taste balance
Sweet, Spiced
Aftertaste
Creamy, Sweet, Lingering spice
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale orange, Creamy, Opaque
Texture
Thick, Smooth, Creamy
Seasonality
All-year-round, Comforting

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a very creamy and sweet drink with distinct notes of warming spices. It is completely non-alcoholic and still, with a rich, dessert-like flavor profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This milkshake requires vanilla ice cream, milk, cooked carrots, and classic carrot cake spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Optional cream cheese adds a tangy flavor reminiscent of frosting.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream3 large scoops
    Use a good quality, full-fat vanilla ice cream for the best texture.
  • Milk120 ml / 4 oz
    Whole milk will result in a creamier shake.
  • Cooked Carrots1/2 cup, finely chopped
    Steam or boil until very tender and allow to cool completely before blending.
  • Cream Cheese1 tablespoon(optional)
    Adds the tangy flavor of cream cheese frosting. Ensure it's softened for smooth blending.
  • Ground Cinnamon1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground Nutmeg1/4 teaspoon
  • Vanilla Extract1/2 teaspoon
  • Whipped CreamFor topping(optional)
  • Chopped Walnuts or Pecans1 tablespoon(optional)
  • Carrot ShavingsFor topping(optional)

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

A standard blender is the only piece of equipment needed to combine all the ingredients into a perfectly smooth and creamy shake.
  • Blender for combining ingredients.

Instructions

The process is simple: blend pre-cooked and cooled carrots with ice cream, milk, and spices until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass and top with whipped cream and other classic carrot cake garnishes.
1. Prepare the carrots: Steam or boil carrots until very tender. Allow them to cool completely before using.
2. Combine ingredients: In a blender, add the vanilla ice cream, milk, cooled cooked carrots, softened cream cheese (if using), ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
3. Blend: Blend on high speed until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it's too thick, add a splash more milk; if too thin, add another small scoop of ice cream.
4. Pour: Pour the milkshake into a chilled milkshake glass.
5. Garnish: Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans, add a few carrot shavings, and finish with a light dusting of cinnamon.
6. Serve: Serve immediately with a wide straw and a long spoon.

Garnishing

Garnish generously with a swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, and a dash of cinnamon to mimic the look and taste of a slice of carrot cake.
  • Whipped cream: A generous swirl on top.
  • Chopped walnuts or pecans: Sprinkled over the whipped cream.
  • Carrot shavings: A few delicate shavings for color and theme.
  • Pinch of cinnamon: Dusted lightly over everything.

Dietary Information

This milkshake is vegetarian, gluten-free, and caffeine-free. It contains dairy and is typically garnished with nuts, but vegan and nut-free versions can be easily made by substituting ingredients.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✕ Soy-free
✕ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-calorie dessert drink, rich in carbohydrates and sugars that come primarily from the ice cream and milk.
Calories
~450-550 kcal / 1883-2301 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
~60-75 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
~55-70 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This milkshake is perfect as a decadent dessert, a special afternoon treat, or a unique beverage to serve at children's parties or family gatherings.
  • Dessert
  • Afternoon Treat
  • Special Occasion
  • Party

Pairing suggestions

This milkshake is rich and flavorful enough to be a standalone dessert. If pairing is desired, consider a simple, not-too-sweet cookie or a plain slice of cake to complement its complex flavors without overwhelming them.
  • Shortbread cookies
  • A plain slice of pound cake
  • Enjoyed on its own as a dessert

The Carrot Cake Milkshake: A Slice of Heaven in a Glass

The Carrot Cake Milkshake is a creative and decadent beverage that successfully translates the beloved flavors of carrot cake into a cold, sippable treat. It's creamy, sweet, and warmly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, offering a unique dessert experience. Easy to prepare with a blender, it's a perfect indulgent treat for any time of year, especially for fans of the classic cake.

Similar Milkshakes

Pumpkin Spice Milkshake

Swaps cooked carrots for pumpkin purée and uses a pumpkin pie spice blend.

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