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!
I would have NEVER thought to put a little baking powder and cream of tartar in a smoothie…but I just did a frozen banana/cocoa powder/almond milk smoothie with a little of each and it is SO good! Those two little additions brought out a completely new flavor profile. Incredible!
I love vanilla malt milk shakes. I can’t remember when I last had one, though. Not only is it tasty, it also makes me nostalgic reminding me of my Dad.
I used your nutritional info in my Point Calculator and it comes out to 3 points per serving
As stated in the nutrition facts, bananas are free foods on weight watchers. Therefore, they’re 0 points.
gahhh I WISH I had your weight gaining problem!! hahah It’s such a challenge for me to keep it off! lucky girl! haah
Hey Katie! Oh my goodness let me first say that i am absolutely OBSESSED with your blog! Im paleo and all your amazing recipes let me still have DELICIOUS food!! i tried this recipe and it turned out sooooooooooooo good!!!!!! It seriously tasted like i was eating a sugar cookie! thanks SO much for all you do! Love, Isabel 🙂
Where does everyone get these awesome glass straws I keep seeing? How classy! Got to love my morning milkshake: frozen banana and berries, coconut flour (for fiber!), flax (for more fiber!), maybe greens, and whatever non-dairy milk was on sale that week. The consistency of frozen banana is one of my favorite cheeky tricks… so creamy!
this was nothing short of amazing!!!! literally a liquid cookie!!! 😀 I used a TBSP peanut flour instead of cashew butter. delicious!!
I made these and o my goodness!! They hit the spot. My children agreed. I love the idea of being able to give them sweets that are actually good for them. Now to make some of your cookies!! Thanks for all you do.
Great recipe, Katie! I didn’t have any nut butters, so I mixed in one scoop of vanilla protein powder and it was fantastic. Thanks for this!
DELICIOUS! as soon as i saw this i had to make it and i loved it! It’s even great knowing that its not high in calories and is quite healthy!