Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake

Name: Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 3 large scoops (approx. 250g) Vanilla Ice Cream; 120 ml / 4 oz Whole Milk; 2 heaping tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter; 2 tablespoons Grape or Strawberry Jelly

Ingredients Instructions

This delightful concoction blends the rich, savory taste of peanut butter with the sweet, fruity notes of jelly, all swirled into a thick and creamy vanilla ice cream base. It’s a liquid dessert that evokes feelings of childhood comfort and simple pleasures. The balance between the slightly salty peanut butter and the sweet jelly creates a uniquely satisfying flavor profile. Perfect for all ages, it's a fun and delicious twist on a timeless classic.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake is definitively classified as a milkshake. Due to its rich, sweet, and indulgent nature, it falls squarely into the category of a dessert drink, perfect for enjoying after a meal or as a standalone treat.

Serving

This is a substantial, non-alcoholic drink served ice-cold in a large, classic milkshake or fountain glass. Chilling the glass beforehand helps keep the shake perfectly frosty.

Serving size

approx. 450 ml / 15 oz

Alcohol content

0% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Milkshake Glass

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake doesn't have a single inventor or a specific origin story but is rather a natural evolution of American diner culture. Inspired by the ubiquitous PB&J sandwich, a staple since the early 20th century, creative soda jerks and chefs began blending these familiar flavors into a decadent milkshake. It represents a modern, playful tribute to a universally loved comfort food.

Origin

United States. This is a modern creation, likely emerging from American diners and ice cream parlors in the late 20th or early 21st century as part of a trend of deconstructing classic comfort foods into new forms.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake

This drink is most commonly known as the Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake, often shortened to the playful and convenient moniker, PB&J Milkshake. The name directly reflects its core ingredients, which mimic the classic American sandwich.

Original name

Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake

Alternative name

PB&J Milkshake

Characteristics overview

This milkshake boasts a rich nutty aroma and flavor, balanced by the sweetness of berry jelly, all enveloped in a thick, creamy texture. Its appearance is an inviting beige, often with colorful swirls of jelly throughout.

Flavor

nutty, fruity, sweet, creamy, rich, savory

Aroma

peanut butter, sweet berries, vanilla

Taste balance

sweet, salty

Aftertaste

creamy, sweet, lingering peanut

Fizziness

none

Color appearance

beige, opaque, swirls of purple or red

Texture

thick, creamy, smooth, velvety

Seasonality

all-year-round, satisfying, indulgent

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by high levels of sweetness and creaminess, complemented by moderate fruitiness and a hint of saltiness. It is a completely non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drink.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need vanilla ice cream and whole milk for the base, along with creamy peanut butter and your choice of grape or strawberry jelly for the signature flavor.

Vanilla Ice Cream3 large scoops (approx. 250g)
Use a good quality, full-fat vanilla ice cream for the best creamy texture.
Whole Milk120 ml / 4 oz
Adjust the amount for desired thickness. For a thicker shake, use less milk.
Creamy Peanut Butter2 heaping tablespoons
Classic creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth texture.
Grape or Strawberry Jelly2 tablespoons
Grape jelly is the traditional choice, but strawberry or raspberry jam also works beautifully.

Ice type

None

Mixing equipments

The only essential piece of equipment for this recipe is a sturdy blender capable of handling ice cream and creating a smooth, thick consistency.

Blender for combining and blending all ingredients until smooth.

Instructions

Simply combine ice cream, milk, and peanut butter in a blender until smooth. Briefly pulse in the jelly to create swirls, then pour into a chilled glass and garnish before serving immediately.

1. Place your serving glass in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes.

2. In the pitcher of a blender, combine the vanilla ice cream, milk, and creamy peanut butter.

3. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it's too thick, add a small splash more milk; if too thin, add another small scoop of ice cream.

4. Add the jelly to the blender and pulse just 2-3 times. This will create swirls of jelly rather than fully incorporating it.

5. Pour the milkshake into your chilled glass.

6. Garnish with a swirl of whipped cream, a drizzle of extra jelly, and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts if desired.

7. Serve immediately with a wide straw and a long spoon.

Garnishing

Garnish this indulgent shake with a generous swirl of whipped cream, an extra drizzle of jelly, and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for added texture and visual appeal.

Whipped cream, to top the milkshake.
A small drizzle of jelly, over the whipped cream.
Chopped peanuts, sprinkled on top for crunch.

Dietary Information

This milkshake is vegetarian, gluten-free, and caffeine-free, but it contains dairy and nuts (peanuts). Soy may be present in the peanut butter or ice cream, so check labels if necessary.

✕ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✕ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✕ Soy-free

✕ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✕ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a highly indulgent treat, very high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, making it best suited for an occasional dessert rather than a daily beverage.

Calories

averagely 700-900 kcal / 2930-3765 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

averagely 80-100 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

averagely 70-90 g

Sugar level

Occasions

This milkshake is perfect as a decadent dessert, a special afternoon treat, or whenever a comfort food craving strikes. It's also a guaranteed hit at children's parties or family gatherings.

Dessert
Afternoon Treat
Comfort Food Craving
Kids' Party

Pairing suggestions

Embrace the classic diner experience by pairing this sweet milkshake with something savory. The salty crunch of French fries or pretzels provides a perfect contrast, while a grilled cheese sandwich or a simple cheeseburger makes for an incredibly satisfying and nostalgic meal.

French Fries
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Salty Pretzels
Classic Cheeseburger

The Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake: A Sip of Childhood Nostalgia

The Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake is a fun, easy-to-make, and incredibly delicious non-alcoholic dessert drink. It successfully transforms the iconic sandwich into a sippable treat, balancing the rich, savory notes of peanut butter with the bright sweetness of fruit jelly. Its thick, creamy texture makes it a deeply satisfying indulgence. Perfect for kids and adults alike, it's a taste of pure, unadulterated comfort and nostalgia in a glass.