This tastes like you’re drinking a sugar cookie.
Ok, that just sounds weird… but this is really good!
Ensure? No thanks!
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you probably know I don’t really like being as skinny as I am. Although I create recipes that can be very low in calories, I usually take advantage of the higher-calorie options if making them for myself. To keep weight on, I pretty much have to eat 24/7, which works out perfectly since my job entails lots of taste testing! 
In high school, I often drank vegan “weight-gain shakes” called Power Dreams. However, two things happened: the company discontinued the shakes, and I bought a Magic Bullet. So now I make my own shakes! (I wrote more about my weight-gain efforts at the very bottom of this link.)
Big thanks to reader, Kate, for inspiring this milkshake.
A few months ago, she left a comment on my Cake Batter Milkshake recipe, suggesting I experiment with adding cream of tartar to my smoothies for a fun cake-like taste. Of course, as soon as she said it, I had to try it. Thank you, Kate!!
Sugar Cookie Milkshake
(serves 1)
- 2/3 cup milk of choice (try canned coconut milk for an ice-cream-like shake)
- 1 frozen, over-ripe banana or 1/2 cup of your favorite ice cream (see nutrition link below, for my many substitution options!)
- scant 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- optional: 1-2 tbsp raw cashew butter (I like to add this)
- optional: add cinnamon for a snickerdoodle shake!
- optional: 1 scoop protein powder, if desired
Blend everything together until very smooth. Don’t add ice; it will dilute the flavor. Feel free to crumble an actual sugar cookie into the shake as well! (My “healthy sugar cookie” recipe is linked at the end of this post.)
Also shown in the milkshake photos: Healthy Sugar Cookies.
What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
According to an online poll, the most-loved milkshake flavor is chocolate. Surprisingly, people chose strawberry over vanilla. My favorite was fourth: mint-chocolate-chip!
My favorite is sinh to bo! (Vietnamese avocado shake) Not a traditional milkshake per say, but I blend milk, avocado, ice, and condensed milk. Agave can be substituted for the condensed milk, although I like the creaminess the condensed milk gives. Also, I’ve been reading that the agave sold more widespread in America isn’t as good as most people perceive it to be. It has a higher fructose concentrate than HFCS that it needs to be processed through your liver.
I just tried this one with almond milk minus the cashew butter. It’s weird, but I feel like the baking soda adds some fizz to it. Not sure why as I don’t recall having any acid that could’ve possibly mixed with it or anything. Personally, I don’t like carbonated beverages because of that feeling (although it wasn’t as extreme as drinking soda), so I think I’ll try it again with cashew butter and try a pinch of baking soda. But I love all your shakes Katie! Your Chai-Nana version is my favorite. I like to make it “dirty” by adding an espresso shot or coffee in addition to the chai when I need caffeine for those late nights studying! I love how much versatility you note to change up most of your recipes.
Hmmm… I don’t really like carbonated drinks either (or even fizzy water). I didn’t taste anything fizzy, but now I’ll try and make it again today and REALLY pay attention to see if I can taste the weird fizz you talked about.
I love your idea to turn the chai shake into a coffee one! 🙂
I think cake batter or maybe red velvet just may be the best flavors for milkshakes ever, though I have never actually tried either of them! I pistachio milkshake sounds great too!
Oh my absolute goodness shiver me to my toes! That was an amazing milkshake. I had to go bug my 12 yr. old daughter, who was already in bed, make her get up and try it. 🙂 I generally don’t allow myself any treats like this for breakfast – I’m the whole mean mom that means breakfast must be full on power-packed – but am giving into the begs of “Please mom, can we have this for breakfast tomorrow?” You betcha! 🙂 After all, if I throw in 2 T. of cashews and there’s no added sugar, it classifies for a power-packed breakfast, hmm? 🙂 Thanks for an ingenious recipe, Katie. You’ve done it again!
Awww 🙂 🙂
Oh my gosh, this post has me craving cookies in the worst way . . .and it’s only 7 a.m. That’s not too early for a cookie, right? 🙂
Never too early. 🙂
Oh gosh, I’m famous! So glad you liked the tip, Katie : )
This looks awesome! Can’t wait to try it!
As far as the best milkshake flavor…the Nutella shake I had at Pearl Burger in San Francisco was heaven.
Great inspiration! My shakes are always a post workout treat and this is a great way to change it up! Enjoying a twist on this, and while I always have vanilla protein powder as my basis, I jumped on the “batter” taste idea w/ cream of tartar and baking soda! …and for me…a peanut butter cookie! Some powdered peanut butter and a little peanut butter extract to pop the flavor…. Yum! Drinking a peanut butter cookie as a reward for an intense back day at the gym? Heaven!
My second try, with correct cream of tartar measurements and an addition of almond butter, was delicious AND husband-approved! Thanks Katie!
Your recipes are so yummy! I cant wait to try this one this summer!!!
If you want it to be super cold, just freeze the banana first; that way you don’t dilute the smoothie with ice. Can’t wait to try it, it sounds amazing!!
It says to use a frozen banana in the ingredients. 🙂 But if your blender is anything like mine, let the banana soften just slightly and cut into smaller chunks (I tend to freeze in halves) so it doesn’t have to struggle too much. I’m still amazed that baking soda and cream of tartar make such a difference in the flavor!