|

Mason Jar Milkshake Recipe

Save & Share!

Learn how to make a Mason Jar Milkshake with this quick recipe! All you need is a mason jar with a lid, vanilla ice cream, and a little milk or cream. Skip the blender and use this recipe when you need a quick summery treat. You can make this recipe a single serve milkshake for one, or gather up several mason jars and make lots! Each treat is totally customizable with mix-ins like candy, chocolate syrup, or crushed cookies.

If you are digging this recipe, you should also try my Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches!

Vanilla milkshake in a small mason jar topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.

During the summer, I’m all about quick dinners, easy snacks, and simple desserts. Simple desserts oftentimes means just a scoop or two of really good ice cream–but it is also fun to make something a little more special.

This quick dessert recipe is a favorite in our household because it’s easy to make just one milkshake–or several! They can be customized with mix-ins or just plain vanilla or chocolate.

No need to use a blender (or clean it afterwards) when you use a mason jar with a lid. To get the perfect consistency, I measure out my ingredients and allow the ice cream to thaw a bit at room temperature before making the milkshake.

How I Created the Recipe for Mason Jar Milkshakes

Headshot photo of woman smiling and wearing a white dress and gold necklace.

Recipes by a Real Person in a Real Kitchen

In the age of AI-generated content, I like to share how I’ve created and tested my recipes. My recipes have been imagined, hypothesized, taste-tested, and refined by a real human (me!). I only publish recipes I think are awesome.

Mason jars are all over my kitchen and let’s be honest, ice cream is too. Our freezer always has at least one carton (Tillamook Vanilla Bean being my current favorite). Eventually this milkshake venture was bound to happen.

I love a single-serving dessert (after all, leftover desserts are a dangerous game).This recipe is excellent for making just one milkshake (though you can make as many as you want).

Not every household has a blender, and you won’t need one for this recipe. Just a simple mason jar with a lid. I found that letting the ingredients (ice cream and whole milk) rest on the counter at room temp was the best way to get everything to incorporate smoothly. Just shake up the jar and you are on your way to a quick lil milkshake snack.

And, if you happen to have little kids, this is the perfect after-bedtime dessert for parents only. Your little ones won’t hear the noisy blender so they will stay safely in bed and this quick treat is all yours!

Ingredients in this Mason Jar Milkshake

Vanilla Ice Cream – Use your favorite! If you choose a super-premium ice cream like Häagen-Dazs®, you might want to give it a few more minutes to soften before shaking your milkshake. I love Tillamook Vanilla Bean and Breyer’s Homemade Vanilla.

Whole Milk – You can opt for anything from cream to skim milk, but I prefer whole milk or the higher fat options for the best flavor.

You will also need a pint size (16 ounce) mason jar, preferably a wide-mouth jar if you have one.

Milk and ice cream in a wide-mouth 16 ounce mason jar.

Substitutions

In place of vanilla ice cream, you can use any flavor you like! I suggest choosing an ice cream without big chunks of mix-ins. Good options would be cookies and cream, strawberry, and chocolate.

In place of whole milk, you can use heavy cream or half-and-half. You can also use skim milk or 2%, but I would suggest a higher-fat choice for the best flavor!

What about a dairy free milkshake? Yes, definitely! Use your favorite dairy free ice cream and dairy free milk and follow the instructions as written. If your dairy-free ice cream melts quickly, you may want to shake up the milkshake a bit sooner than the recipe instructs.

Does It Matter Which Ice Cream I Use?

I tested this recipe with a higher-quality vanilla ice cream and the cheaper generic store brand. Honestly, they were both really good.

If you use a super-premium ice cream like Häagen-Dazs® you might want to let the milkshake melt just a bit longer before shaking–maybe twenty minutes.

Anything from Kemps to Breyers to Tillamook or even the generic store brands will be delicious. Use your favorite.

Vanilla milkshake in a small mason jar topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.

How to Make a Big Batch of Mason Jar Milkshakes

This is a fun recipe or crafty project to do at parties if you have enough mason jars.

Just give everyone a jar, fill with the ingredients, and then chop up some mix-ins while you wait the fifteen minutes for the ice cream to thaw. Then, pass out lids and shake those jars.

Everyone gets a customized milkshake and could even bring the jar home if desired. Lots of fun for sleepovers or birthday parties.

How to Make a Mason Jar Milkshake

Here’s a summary of how this recipe is made. Find the complete ingredients list and full instructions within the printable recipe card below

It’s truly so easy!

Fill a pint-size mason jar with several big scoops of ice cream (1 cup per shake) and a drizzle of whole milk. Allow to come to room temperature for about fifteen minutes.

Add the lid, close securely, and shake shake shake! Use a butter knife to stir in any remaining clumps of ice cream. Add a few mix-ins if desired and top with your favorite whipped cream. Enjoy!

A mason jar filled with ice cream and milk and shaken to make a milkshake.

More Fun Recipes from Elle Makes Dessert

If you loved this recipe, leave a 5-star rating!
Thanks so much for trying one of my recipes!

Vanilla milkshake in a small mason jar topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Mason Jar Milkshake (for One)

Learn how to make an easy Mason Jar Milkshake with vanilla ice cream and milk. You can make a milkshake without a blender in an apartment, dorm room, tiny house, or anywhere you find yourself with minimal appliances. This is a single serving recipe that is ideal for those times when you need a quick pick-me-up, but not a whole batch of dessert! Just grab a mason jar, lid, some ice cream, and milk.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 1 milkshake
Calories 291 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream 160g
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Fill a 16-ounce (pint size) mason jar (preferably a wide-mouth jar) with 1 cup of vanilla ice cream (about 4 large scoops).
  • Pour 2 tablespoons of whole milk over the ice cream and allow the jar to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature to soften.
  • Close the jar lid and ring securely and give a gently shake to test the seal. Wrap the jar with a kitchen towel to prevent slipping and shake for about 1 minute. Open the jar and set the lid aside.
  • Use a butter knife to stir any remaining clumps of ice cream until the milkshake is smooth. If you are adding mix-ins (such as crushed cookies, candies or a drizzle of chocolate syrup), add them in and stir once more. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles!

Notes

Mix In Ideas:
You can have so much fun with mix-in ideas for this recipe. First, you could switch up the ice cream. I love a chocolate ice cream, cookies-and-cream, or strawberry. 
Mix-in ideas might include crushed up cookies, mini m&ms, chopped candy bars, or chocolate or caramel sauce. Since we aren’t using a blender, opt for mix-ins that will incorporate easily just through stirring or shaking the jar. 
Notes on the Yield:
Recipe makes approximately one 8-ounce milkshake–perfect for a single serving dessert! 
Nutrition information will vary depending on which ice cream and milk you choose to use. Information provided is a guide only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 117mgPotassium: 308mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 604IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 206mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating