If you are like me and make too many pumpkin pies for your thanksgiving table, along with about a million other thanksgiving desserts, you might have some leftover. And why not do something different, yet equally delicious with your leftover pumpkin pie. This easy pumpkin shake recipe is one of the easiest milkshakes you'll ever make. All you need is a little ice cream, milk, a slice of your favorite homemade pumpkin pie (or store bought - no judging). And with my tips on the perfect ratio of ice cream to milk in a milkshake, you can't go wrong. Oh yeah, and because calories is what the Thanksgiving holiday is all about...also caramel.
Now I am fully aware nobody needs a milkshake at this time of year. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Ramadan and Christmas holiday definitely have enough amazing desserts, but I mean, this is the season for indulging. Chances are you just ate some pecan pie and two plates full of food, but when that leftover pumpkin pie slice is lingering, looking at you, saying 'make a milkshake out of me,' you'll be thanking me for this pumpkin shake recipe.
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Can you put pie in a milkshake?
I am definitely not original with this one. I throw leftover pie in milkshakes all the time. My personal favorites are a blueberry pie milkshake and a key lime pie milkshake. Trust me, put your leftover pie into a milkshake, any kind of pie! This is a super versatile milkshake recipe that can be adjusted to whatever pie you've got leftover during any season.
p.s. - this recipe (with the caramel) is absolutely sublime with pecan pie, another popular Thanksgiving holiday dessert.
What is the ratio of ice cream to milk in a milkshake?
This is something that took me a long time for figure out. For years, I would just wing it, and all my milkshake recipes came out too thick for a straw or too thin, like a milk.
To get the perfect ratio of ice cream to milk in a milkshake you will need:
- four large scoops of ice cream (roughly one cup)
- ½ cup liquid (this includes ANY liquid you add to a milkshake, milk, vanilla extract, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup)
How to thicken a milkshake
This pumpkin shake recipe, specifically is thicker than a traditional chocolate or vanilla shake because of the addition of the leftover pumpkin pie. Adding any solids to a milkshake will help thicken it up, so keep that in mind. If you are a fan of thinner milkshakes that easily go through a straw, you are going to want to add a tablespoon or two of extra milk to think it out a bit. But start with one tablespoon extra of milk, you can always add, but you can't take away.
Ingredients
To make this pumpkin shake recipe you will need:
- Ice cream. I use vanilla, but feel free to use your favorite that you think will compliment the pumpkin and warm spices in the pie.
- Milk. Stick with 2% or whole milk for this.
- Leftover pumpkin pie. Or not leftover, maybe you just want a pumpkin shake that bad. If you need a recipe for pumpkin pie my chai spice pumpkin pie and honey pumpkin pie are winners for sure.
- Caramel sauce. This is a totally optional ingredient that doesn't get blended into the pumpkin shake recipe itself. I drizzle the glass with caramel before pouring my shake it. It looks pretty , but also you get to suck up as little or as much caramel in each sip as you'd like. Fun, but not necessary.
Tips for success
- Soften your ice ream for a couple minutes before blending.
- I happen to have a milkshake blender (one of those old school ones), but if you don't just blend in a regular blender or use an immersion blender.
- Cut a decent slice of pie, you want to be able to really taste the pumpkin pie in this shake recipe.
Top tip
So this is a big one and goes for all milkshake recipes you ever try. DO NOT USE HEAVY CREAM in place of milk. In my head, I thought using heavy cream will make it even creamier and richer, but that did not happen! It doesn't blend well at all and becomes chunky, so you basically have chunks of butter in your milkshake. And it is gross, let me tell you.
Equipment
- milkshake maker or blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream four good-sixed scoops
- ⅓ cup milk 2% or whole is preferred; DO NOT use heavy cream
- 1 slice pumpkin pie good-sized
- 2 tablespoon caramel sauce
Instructions
- Place all ingredients EXCEPT CARAMEL and blend on low, gradually increasing speed until a fully blended and creamy consistency is achieved - about 45 seconds.
- Take your glass and drizzle caramel around the side in the glass. Pour the milkshake into glasses and top with whipped cream and the tiniest extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
