Name: Malted Milkshake for the Table
Yield: 4

A thick, creamy Malted Milkshake that’s straightforward to make and tastes just like an old-school diner treat—blend a few ingredients and enjoy!

Malted Milkshake

Milkshakes are satisfying, 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.

Ingredient shot-- images of the malted milk and ice cream used in this dessert

Malted Milkshake Ingredients

Ingredient	Helpful Swap or Tip
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.
Malted Milk Powder	Chocolate or original malt powder both work great.
Whole Milk	You can use 2%, whole, or half-and-half.
Chocolate Syrup	I like Torani, Ghiradelli, Hershey, or sometimes using caramel syrup.
Vanilla Extract	skippable, but adds extra old-fashioned soda fountain flavor.

What Is Malted Milk Powder?

Malted milk powder is a mix of barley, wheat, and milk. It tastes sweet and a little nutty—reliable for milkshakes!

You can find it in most grocery stores—look near the flour or hot chocolate mixes. It’s also straightforward to buy online. I like the Carnation brand best (not sponsored).

Process shots of Malted Milkshake-- all the ingredients being added to a blender

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.

Process shots-- all the ingredients being blended together and being poured into a chocolate-drizzled cup

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.

Image of the Malted Milkshake ready to be served

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!