This strawberry milkshake is a dreamy dessert that even new home cooks can easily make. Growing up, I wasn’t a milkshake fan, but as an adult, I love this version: rich strawberry ice cream combined with a handful of fresh strawberries, a dash of citrusy ground cardamom and sprinkled with crushed pistachios.
Why ground cardamom? It adds a woodsy, citrusy depth to baked goods and desserts of all kinds. It’s a bit pricey, but it only takes a pinch to mellow the sweetness. As a huge cardamom fan, I add it to a lot of baked goods and even cinnamon toast.
Tools & Equipment
You’ll need a few essential kitchen tools to make a delicious strawberry milkshake. Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you have everything ready:
- Blender: This is the most crucial piece of equipment. A good blender will create a smooth and creamy milkshake. If you have one with variable speeds, that’s even better for fine-tuning your shake’s consistency.
- Measuring Cups: To measure out the milk and ice cream accurately, use measuring cups. This helps maintain the right proportions for the perfect milkshake.
- Ice Cream Scoop: A sturdy ice cream scoop will make it easier to handle the ice cream, especially if it’s a bit firm.
- Knife and Cutting Board: If you’re using fresh strawberries, you’ll need a sharp knife and cutting board to slice them up. If you’re using frozen strawberries, you won’t need them.
- Glasses: Have some tall glasses on hand. Chilled dessert glasses are a nice touch to keep your milkshake cold.
- Straws and Spoons: Long spoons and wide straws (like the ones you might see with bubble tea) are perfect for enjoying every last drop of your milkshake.
Step-by-Step Preparation
Follow these straightforward steps to whip up a classic treat that is both refreshing and indulgent.
Washing & Prepping Strawberries
Here’s how you get them ready:
- Rinse your strawberries under cold water. You can massage them gently to remove dirt, then dry with a clean kitchen towel.
- Hull the strawberries to remove the stems and leaves.
- Slice the strawberries into halves or quarters for easier blending.
- Time-saver: Once they are washed, just throw them into the blender whole. I often make smoothies with just the washed strawberries. I can’t taste the green hull at all and it saves me time and mess to not bother with hulling and slicing.
Serving Suggestions
Presentation can make your homemade milkshake feel like a special treat. Here’s how you can serve it:
- Pour the thick milkshake into a chilled glass. You can get the fancy dessert glasses here.
- Add a little drizzle (or a lot) of our strawberry syrup or dollop of whipped cream.
- Garnish with fresh strawberry slices if you’d like, with a tablespoon of crushed pistachios (salted adds a nice balance!) over each dessert glass full of milkshake.
- All of the above! (Just make sure you leave plenty of room at the top of the glass for all that deliciousness.)
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, and frozen strawberries are usually more economical and may even contribute to a thicker shake. For the 1 cup of fresh strawberries, you’d substitute the same amount of frozen strawberries, or about 8 whole ones, fresh or frozen.
Want even more recipes using frozen strawberries?
Can I add protein to this milkshake?
You can! I recommend using an unsweetened vanilla or plain flavor so that it doesn’t interfere with the natural strawberry flavor of the milkshake.
Instructions:
- Choose a Protein Powder: Select a protein powder that you enjoy. This could be whey, soy, pea, or any other plant-based protein.
- Measure It Out: Generally, one scoop is ideal for this recipe, which will serve two people. This is usually about 25 to 30 grams of protein, but it can vary by brand.
- Blend It In: Add the protein powder to the blender along with the other milkshake ingredients. Blend well.
- Taste Test: After blending, taste your shake. If the protein powder alters the flavor more than you’d like, consider adding a bit more fruit or ice cream to adjust.
The bottom line
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity, elevated just a little to make these a bit more grown up, with some high-quality ice cream, ground cardamom, a garnish of strawberry syrup, whipped cream and a tablespoon of crushed pistachios. Even if you only have the basics on hand, you’ll love giving this one a try.
More Recipes With Strawberries
- Strawberry Chia Pudding
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Strawberry Pink Fluff Made with Cottage Cheese
- Strawberry Yogurt Parfait with Granola
- Thick & Rich Strawberry Compote
Creamy Strawberry Cardamom Milkshake Recipe with Crushed Pistachios
Dive into the creamy, dreamy world of our Ultimate Strawberry Milkshake! Packed with lush strawberries and the exotic hint of cardamom, this milkshake is a little summer and a lot of fun!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or 8 frozen strawberries from the bag)
- 1 1/2 cups strawberry ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk (or substitute with any plain or vanilla nondairy option)
- A pinch of ground cardamom, or slightly less than ⅛ teaspoon
- Crushed pistachios
- Optional: Whipped cream or our homemade strawberry syrup
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the fresh strawberries, strawberry ice cream, milk, and cardamom.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the milkshake is too thick, you can add a little more milk or water; start with ⅛ cup of liquid at a time so you don’t make it too thin.
- Taste the milkshake and adjust as desired.
- Pour the milkshake into glasses.
- Now for the fun (but entirely optional) part: Top with a dollop of whipped cream or homemade strawberry syrup, add a sliced berry to the rim of each glass, and/or, sprinkle each with about a tablespoon of crushed pistachios. Note: To get a tablespoon of crushed pistach for each milkshake, add ¼ c of shelled pistachios to a baggie, close tightly, lay flat on a sturdy surface and beat with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin, about 1 full minute.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Using a high-quality strawberry ice cream enhances the milkshake's strawberry flavor.