Are you ready for a serious confession?
I don’t like pumpkin pie.
That may come as a surprise since I’m obsessed with things like this and this and this. Also a surprise when considering that this time of year, I spend about 85% of my available brain power trying to discover new ways to incorporate pumpkin flavor into everyday foods. See, while there’s something about mushy orange pie that kick starts my gag reflex, there’s also something entirely intoxicating about the combination of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, all strung together with sweet brown sugar and delicate pumpkin in just about anything else.
So the other day when my 4 year old and I were looking for a pre-bedtime treat, I reached in to grab the vanilla ice cream and knocked my frozen pumpkin puree off the shelf. One look at my kiddo and his cute little mouth covered in graham cracker crumbs and I knew exactly what we were about to create. That was a week ago. We’ve had these shakes about 6 times since. So yeah, just about every day. Go ahead, call the diet police. I dare you.
I purposely made this to serve 2 generous servings. I also made it to fit perfectly into my Blendtec Twister jar (which is smaller than a normal size blender jar) so you could certainly double it in a larger, high-powered blender. If you have a Blendtec, the Twister Jar works exceptionally well for things like this!
(If you’re wondering about my specific Blender, it’s the Blendec Designer Series 625, which comes in that awesome sea foam color)
In the jar of your blender, combine a little milk with some pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Whip that up and then add in the vanilla ice cream. Now. It’s important to use good ice cream here. I’m not talking about expensive ice cream, just good ice cream. I call for Vanilla Bean ice cream because that tends to be the closest to a good quality homemade vanilla without a lot of extra fake-y flavors. My go-to is Breyers Vanilla Bean. Try to stay away from any vanilla ice creams that are that bright yellow-ish color. Breyers is one of the few with only a few ingredients and that’s always a good sign! I actually bought Walmart’s Great Value brand for this batch and I couldn’t believe how close it was to Breyers. Sure enough, when I looked at the ingredient list there were only a few ingredients (mostly milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla) and it was only a few bucks. So those are both great choices.
I also get my ice cream out a few minutes ahead of time so it’s just a little bit soft. That tends to lead to the perfect consistency.
Whip it up and it morphs into the most amazing smooth, soft serve consistency.
A note about blenders: Here’s the problem with making thick, diner style milkshakes at home: A lot of times you have to add so much milk to the thing to get the blender to process that it turns into a milk-slushie instead. Or you have to blend and plunge, blend and plunge, etc. You know the drill, right? So if you have any trouble with your blender, I would recommend blending everything but the ice cream first and then mashing it into the ice cream by hand (well, with a hand. Holding a fork or spoon 🙂 If your scooped ice cream sits out at room temp while you measure the other things and get them all ready, then by the time you mash it all together it should be a good consistency and it will turn out like a nice soft-serve at the end. If you want it thinner, to drink with a big straw, just add a little milk or cream until you reach the right consistency.
Sprinkle with crushed graham cracker crumbs before serving. It tastes just like DQ’s Pumkin Pie Blizzard!
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Pumpkin Pie Milkshake
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10
Description
Quick and easy frozen treat using real pumpkin and warm spices. The perfect autumn dessert!
Ingredients
- 1/3 C pumpkin puree, canned or homemade
- 2–4 tablespoons milk or cream (more if needed), divided
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/16 teaspoon cloves (just use a 1/8 t measure and fill it half way, or do a large pinch)
- 1/16 t nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 C vanilla bean ice cream (I like Breyers)
- 1–2 graham crackers
Instructions
- Set ice cream out at room temperature.
- In the jar of a blender, or bowl, combine pumpkin, 2 tablespoons milk or cream, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Blend or whisk to combine. Add ice cream and process (or smash by hand) to combine. Pour into glasses and top with crumbled graham crackers.
Notes
- Optional: after blending milkshake, stir in by hand chunks of graham crackers, baked pie crust, or chunks of shortbread cookies.
- Tip on Blending: Here’s the problem with making thick, diner style milkshakes at home: A lot of times you have to add so much milk to the thing to get the blender to process that it turns into a milk-slushie instead. Or you have to blend and plunge, blend and plunge, etc. You know the drill, right? So if you have any trouble with your blender, I would recommend blending everything but the ice cream first and then mashing it into the ice cream by hand (well, with a hand. Holding a fork or spoon 🙂 If your scooped ice cream sits out at room temp while you measure the other things and get them all ready, then by the time you mash it all together it should be a good consistency and it will turn out like a nice soft-serve at the end. If you want it thinner, to drink with a big straw, just add a little milk or cream until you reach the right consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
Okay so as I looked at the ingredients I noticed you had vanilla extract sitting with the ingredients but I dont see it on the list. Is this necessary and does it make it taste any better?? My husband and I are SO excited to try this tonight while we watch biggest loser via internet (haha)
holy crap that looks good! can't wait to make this!
Oh my. That's all I can say.
That is a great idea for a shake! I can't wait to try it.
Okay girls, I have a challange for ya! I'm in need of a fabulous Cheddar Broccoli Soup, do you have one?
Okay the only thing that could make this better for me would be to swirl in a few mini chocolate chips. Pumpkin and chocolate are a perfect combination. I can't wait to find pumpkin in my grocery store (they have been out, as you said, the past 2 weeks).
Sara,
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog…You really made my day girl.I really enjoy your blog and trying out your recipes…I have had great success with them but I am awful at taking pictures.I too don't like pumpkin pie. Guess it is because I use to make 14 at a time and they were gone in 2 days.God bless you and your grandmother should blog.You meet such interesting people (like you). Hugs
Sue
I'd join your diet revolution =) My kids have been begging me for one of those on the wall toothpaste dispensers. They claim it will keep the bathroom counter clean. Plus, I'd get all the yummy pumpkin pie milkshakes I could handle. What more could a pregnant mom of 4(soon to be 5) want =)
Can't wait to try this ASAP. It looks so yummy!
Yowsa… this sounds seriously bad (as in bad for my diet). Why do you do this to me? I thought you guys loved me?!?!?!?! I am NOT feeling the love over here folks.
Where do I send my payments for the milkshake diet?
I want my pumpkin milkshake blankey.
mmmm YUM. I can't eat any dairy right now. Can't wait until I can!
I thought you might find this interesting — it's near where we live and it's so fun to hear the different ways they use pumpkins.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/all-american-festivals/morton-pumpkin-festival/index.html
Found pumpkin at the store today. Hooray, I even bought a pie pumpkin to try making my own puree. I have to add, I love your blog, and my husband thanks you.
that looks so good i am going to have to try it!!
that looks like autumn in liquid form YUM!!!
This is a definite must try! I LOVE all things pumpkin! YUM! YUM!
Oh yeah! That pumpkin better be back on the shelves soon… I've been too afraid to even touch the last two cans we have at home! I think some pumpkin bread and this milkshake warrants opening a can though! And we've already got the vanilla ice cream in the freezer. Yum. 🙂
Yes, I'll be giving this a try! I'm pretty certian I have everything I need! Thanks for sharing!
Btw, you're on a roll! 🙂
~ingrid
yummm these look delish!
Sherri- I love the pumpkin pie blizzard too! I look forward to it every year!
Katie- score! I knew someone would be all for my pumpkin milk shake diet!
I JUST had a pumpkin spice and cream Frappucino at Starbucks (because I had a gift card) and I thought- really? $5 for Pumpkin shake?? Can't I make this myself?! But I was too scared to play with pumpkin – I wasn't sure if it is safe to eat without being baked… but duh, it has already been cooked!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! You have NO idea how just saved my budget this month! $5 a day on a shake? Now I can go on your diet for sooo much cheaper!!
Jenn- you *could* put them in the shake, but I think they'd get lost so I just crumble them on top.
I am not a pumpkin pie fan either butI have frozen pieces of pie and then thrown them in the blender with some ice cream and milk to make a shake before. Yum!
Looks delicious!! Do the graham crackers get blended up in the shake AND sprinkled on top?
I just thought I would let you know I sent a little linky love your way! From my blog to yours! Thanks for sharing such great recipes! http://slmpetersen.blogspot.com/2009/09/shop-news-and-recipe-link.html
oh! what a wonderful idea!!! need to try it!
I, too, HATE pumpkin pie but love the flavor of pumpkin. I think it's the smeary-ness (totally a word).
I don't like pumpkin pie either! I actually don't like pumpkin desserts but this milkshake just might change me!
I love all things pumpkin- this recipes tops the list now! Reminds me of the DQ Pumpkin Blizzard too!
Wow! It's 6 am when I am reading this and now I want one for breakfast! Pumpkin Milkshake, pumpkin late – who will every know the difference? Will be trying this soon! Thanks for sharing.
OMG, I am drooling! I LOVE pumpkin pie. The funny thing is, one of my MOST FAVORITE treats is from Cold Stone- a pumpkin pie in the sky shake. Now I can make it at home for a fraction of the price. Yummmmm! Thank you so much for sharing. I will have to buy some vanilla ice cream and try this TODAY!!
I have to be the first to comment! This looks amazing! I cannot wait to try it. If it were not midnight and I didn't think it would wake my family up, I probably would. So, I wait for tomorrow and this delicious drink!