Nothing says cozy holiday treat like a cool, minty shake with a touch of chocolate crunch. This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe blends creamy vanilla ice cream with crushed candy canes and chocolate chips for a delightful, festive sip that’s as fun to make as it is to drink.

This image shows a tall clear glass filled with a light pink milkshake that has small dark chocolate pieces mixed inside, with a layer of crushed chocolate bits settled at the bottom. On top, there is a swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled with small dark chocolate bits and a red and white striped candy cane hanging on the side of the glass. The glass is placed on a white plate with a small silver spoon beside it, all set on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is another similar milkshake and a small bottle of milk, with some red Christmas ornaments and candy canes scattered on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is a total game-changer when you want something festive but easy. I’ve whipped this up more times than I can count during the winter holidays, and every time it feels like a little celebration in a glass.

Quick & Easy: Ready in under 5 minutes, perfect for last-minute holiday parties or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Perfect Balance: The minty candy canes cut through the sweetness with just the right refreshing bite.
Customizable Crunch: Adding chocolate chips gives a fun texture that’s addictive—you can tweak it to suit your crunch preference.
Fun to Share: Makes two large shakes, so it’s ideal for sharing with a friend or keeping the holiday spirit alive solo.

A tall clear glass filled with a light pink milkshake showing small dark bits at the bottom, topped with a swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled with dark chocolate chips, and a red and white striped candy cane hooked on the rim. The glass sits on a white plate with a small silver spoon on the side. A woman's hand is holding the glass. In the background, another similar glass with whipped cream and chocolate chips, a small bottle of milk, scattered candy bits, and red Christmas ornaments are placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient brings something special to this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe. From creamy vanilla ice cream to the crunch and zing of candy canes, here’s why I use these exact components – trust me, it makes all the difference.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of smooth vanilla ice cream scoops, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh whole milk, two whole uncrushed peppermint candy canes with bright red and white stripes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy mini semisweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl piled with fluffy whipped cream, one whole peppermint candy cane and a small white ceramic bowl of fine dark chocolate sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry and realistic proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vanilla Ice Cream: The creamy base that blends up thick and smooth, giving that classic milkshake feel.
Milk: Helps reach the perfect consistency—adjust the amount depending on how thick or thin you like your shake.
Candy Canes: Crushed fresh to infuse minty flavor and texture, so skip pre-ground ones for the best crunch.
Mini Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Small enough to blend in but big enough to add bursts of chocolate in every sip.
Whipped Cream & Garnishes: These top it off with creaminess, flair, and that extra holiday sparkle.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is. Depending on how festive or indulgent I feel, I like to tweak it with extras or swaps—and you’ll find your own favorite combo quite easily!

Variation: Sometimes I swap regular milk for almond or oat milk to give it a little nutty depth—still creamy, just dairy-free!
Extra Minty: If you want a stronger peppermint punch, add a dash of peppermint extract but go easy; a little goes a long way.
Chocolate Lovers: Try blending in a tablespoon of chocolate syrup for that extra layer of decadence.
Adult Twist: For a boozy touch, a splash of peppermint schnapps can turn this dessert into a grown-up holiday treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

Step 1: Blend the Creamy Base

Start by scooping your vanilla ice cream and pouring the milk into the blender. This step is all about getting that smooth, creamy foundation. Blend for about 30 seconds until it’s well combined. If you prefer a thinner shake, add another half cup of milk slowly—this is how you find your perfect texture.

Step 2: Add the Peppermint and Chocolate Crunch

Next, toss in the crushed candy canes and mini chocolate chips. Don't blend too long here—just pulse the blender about 10-15 seconds. You want those peppermint bits broken up but still chunky, so you get pops of flavor and texture in every sip.

Step 3: Serve with Style

Pour your milkshake into pretty glasses, then crown it with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Sprinkle a few extra crushed candy canes and chocolate sprinkles on top to make it look as festive as it tastes.

Top Tip

After making this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe several times, I noticed a few tricks that really boost the experience and help avoid common slip-ups.

Crush Candy Canes Fresh: Crushing them yourself right before blending keeps that satisfying crunch better than pre-packed crushed peppermint.
Don’t Overblend Peppermint: Pulsing gently prevents the peppermint bits from turning into powder, preserving texture and flavor pops.
Adjust Consistency Gradually: Add milk in small amounts to find your ideal thickness — it’s easy to fix but hard to reverse if you add too much at once.
Serve Immediately: This shake is at its best fresh; waiting too long can melt the ice cream and dull the crisp candy texture.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

peppermint bark milkshake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping my shakes with a cloud of whipped cream – it adds a cool, creamy contrast. Then I sprinkle crushed candy canes and little chocolate chips right on top. Sometimes I throw on chocolate sprinkles for extra festive sparkle. It looks so good it’s almost a shame to drink it!

Side Dishes

Pairing this peppermint milkshake with simple holiday cookies, like sugar cookies or ginger snaps, is my go-to. The cookies add a nice textural contrast and keep the minty-chocolate flavor shining center stage.

Creative Ways to Present

For a winter party, I like to rim glasses with crushed candy canes and dip in melted chocolate before pouring the shake. It’s festive and adds extra flavor bursts. You could also layer the milkshake with crushed peppermint bark candy in a tall glass for a dazzling striped effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which doesn’t usually happen in my house), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge but expect the shake to thin out and lose some texture. You might need to stir it well before drinking.

Freezing

Freezing milkshakes isn’t ideal because the texture gets icy after thawing. I don’t recommend freezing this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe. Instead, just make fresh batches for the best experience.

Reheating

This is best served cold and fresh, so reheating isn’t really an option. If you find yourself with leftovers, try stirring them well and adding a bit of fresh ice cream or milk to revive the texture before sipping again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the vanilla ice cream for a dairy-free version and use almond, oat, or coconut milk instead. It still tastes creamy and delicious with that peppermint crunch.

How do I crush candy canes without making a mess?

I like to put the candy canes in a sturdy zip-top bag and gently crush them using a rolling pin or a heavy pan. This way, the pieces stay contained and you avoid bits flying everywhere.

Can I make this milkshake thicker or thinner?

Yes! Adjust the milk amount to suit your preference. Adding less milk results in a thick, creamy shake, while a bit more milk makes it lighter and easier to sip. Just blend after adding each bit of milk until you hit the texture you want.

What’s the best way to keep the peppermint crunch?

Pulsing the candy canes in the blender instead of fully blending keeps nice chunks intact. Also, crush them fresh before adding. Adding some extra candy cane pieces on top as garnish maintains that crunch as you enjoy the milkshake.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe holds a special place on my holiday treat list. It's simple, festive, and endlessly adaptable, making it one I reach for when I want a quick festive indulgence or to impress unexpected guests. Give it a try—you’ll love how easy it is to bring joy to your kitchen with just a blender and a few ingredients.