Caramel Peanut Crunch Milkshake

Hiland Vanilla Ice Cream, peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate create a thick, creamy milkshake topped with whipped cream and chopped candy bars.

My idea to “just not keep candy in the house” rule lasts about as long as it takes me to walk past the Halloween aisle in September. So when the leftover candy bars start piling up (yes, I buy them “for the kids” and yes, I am the one eating them at 9pm), I’ve started putting them to much better use: blended into a milkshake.

Why Hiland Dairy Makes the Best Milkshake Base

A milkshake really only lives or dies on two things: the ice cream and the milk, so I don’t mess around with either one. Hiland Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream is rich and creamy, which means it blends into a thick, scoopable shake instead of a thin, melty one. And because of the classic vanilla flavor it lets the peanut butter and caramel actually shine instead of competing with it. A little bit of Hiland Dairy Milk is all you need to loosen everything up to the perfect straw friendly consistency without watering down the flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ridiculously fast: This comes together in the blender in about 5 minutes, no cooking, no waiting, just blend and pour.
• Uses candy you already have: If you’ve got leftover Halloween or Easter candy bars hanging around, this is their moment to shine.
• Rich, candy-bar flavor: Chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter hit every note of an actual Snickers bar, just in cold, creamy milkshake form.
• Kid (and adult) approved: My daughter thinks this is the best thing I’ve ever made, and honestly, she might be right.
• Easy to customize: Swap the toppings, add more or less peanut butter, or turn it into a full-blown sundae shake with whipped cream, no rules here.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this cottage cheese banana pudding:

• Hiland Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream – The creamy base of the shake, giving it that classic thick milkshake texture and letting the other flavors stand out.
• Hiland Dairy Milk – Loosens up the ice cream just enough so the shake blends smoothly and is easy to sip through a straw.
• Peanut Butter – Brings in that salty, nutty candy bar flavor and blends right into the shake for a creamy peanut butter swirl in every sip.
• Chocolate Sauce – Adds rich chocolate flavor throughout the shake and doubles as a drizzle for the glass and topping.
• Caramel Sauce – Gives the shake that sticky-sweet caramel note that classic candy bar flavor, blended in and drizzled on top.
• Chopped Snickers Bars – The star of the show. Some get blended right in for candy bar bits in every sip, and the rest go on top for crunch.

Step By Step Instructions

1. Prep the glasses: Drizzle chocolate sauce and caramel sauce around the inside of two glasses. This is optional, but it makes the shake look extra bakery-style and adds a little bonus sweetness with every sip.
2. Blend the shake: Add the Hiland Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream, Hiland Dairy Milk, peanut butter, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, and the chopped candy bars to a blender. Blend on high until smooth and thick, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.
3. Check the consistency: If the shake is too thick to pour, add a splash more milk and blend again. If it’s too thin, add a small scoop more ice cream.
4. Pour and top: Pour the shake into the prepared glasses. Top with the remaining chopped candy bars, and an extra drizzle of caramel and chocolate sauce if you’re feeling fancy. Serve immediately with a straw and a spoon (you’ll need both).

Recipe Tips

• Let the ice cream sit out for a couple of minutes before blending so it’s easier on your blender and blends up smoother.
• Chop the candy bars small if you’re blending them into the shake so they don’t get stuck at the bottom of your blender or straw.
• Save some chopped candy bar to fold in by hand at the end for actual chewy candy bits throughout instead of just blended in.
• Chill your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving to keep the shake colder, longer.
• Don’t over blend. Once it’s smooth and thick, stop because over blending can start to melt the shake down.

Customize It

• Nut butter: Swap peanut butter for almond butter or leave it out completely for a more classic chocolate-caramel shake.
• Candy bar: No Snickers bars on hand? Try this same method with any of your favorite candy bars for a totally different shake.
• Toppings: Add whipped cream, a cherry, or crushed peanuts on top for an extra sundae-style finish.
• Make it a float: Add a splash of root beer or cola for a fun twist on the classic shake.
• Extra indulgent: Add a spoonful of Nutella or a scoop of chocolate ice cream in with the vanilla for an even richer shake.

Storing

Milkshakes are best enjoyed immediately, but if you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 day. Let it sit out for a few minutes to soften before re-blending or stirring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this milkshake ahead of time?

Milkshakes are really best made fresh since they start to melt and separate as they sit. If you need to prep ahead, portion out your chopped candy bars and have your ingredients measured so you can blend it up in minutes right before serving.

What can I use instead of a blender?

If you don’t have a blender, you can soften the ice cream slightly and mash the ingredients together by hand with a sturdy spoon, though it won’t be quite as smooth. A hand mixer can also work in a pinch.

Can I make this without an ice cream base?

The Hiland Dairy Vanilla Ice Cream is really what gives this shake its thick, creamy texture, so I wouldn’t recommend skipping it. If you want a thinner drink, you could use more milk and less ice cream, but it will change the consistency quite a bit.

More Sweet Treats You’ll Love

• Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake
• Frozen Mint Hot Chocolate
• Cold Brew Caramel Milkshake

And if you’re interested in creating more deliciousness with Hiland Dairy products, be sure to check out Hiland Dairy’s recipes too (including some created by yours truly!).