There's something magically festive about the cool crunch of peppermint combined with creamy chocolate in a drink. This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is my go-to treat when I want to bring that holiday spirit straight to my kitchen glass. It’s quick to whip up and feels like a celebration in every sip.

The image shows a tall glass filled with a creamy light pink milkshake that has small dark bits mixed inside. At the bottom, there is a layer of crushed dark chocolate or cookie crumbs. On top, there is a swirl of white whipped cream with small dark chocolate sprinkles. A red and white striped candy cane is hanging on the side of the glass. The glass is placed on a white plate with a small silver spoon. The background has a white marbled texture, with some red Christmas ornaments and a bottle blurred in the background. 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 one of those desserts that instantly brightens chilly days with its cool minty notes and rich chocolate bits. I love how it’s both a dessert and a drink — perfect for when you don’t want to fuss but still crave something indulgent and festive.

Effortlessly delicious: Less than 10 minutes to make a dessert that tastes like a winter wonderland.
Perfect balance: The creamy vanilla base blends beautifully with crisp peppermint candy and chocolate for that classic bark flavor.
Fun texture: I love the tiny bursts of chocolate chips and just-a-touch-of-crunch from crushed candy canes.
Great for sharing: Makes two large milkshakes, ideal for cozy evenings with a friend or family.

A tall clear glass filled with a light pink creamy drink showing a textured bottom layer of dark bits. The drink is topped with a swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled with small dark flakes. A red and white striped candy cane is hooked on the rim of the glass. The glass sits on a white plate with a small silver spoon, placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is a second glass with the same drink and whipped cream with a silver straw inside, and a small jar of milk. Scattered around are red round ornaments, small peppermint candies, and chocolate chips. The woman's hand is holding the glass in the foreground. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe flavor and texture. I always recommend going with good-quality vanilla ice cream and fresh candy canes, because they really make a difference.

Flat lay of a small mound of smooth vanilla ice cream scoops, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with fresh cold milk, two whole bright red-and-white striped candy canes, a small white bowl of shiny mini semisweet chocolate chips, a generous swirl of fluffy whipped cream in a white bowl, a few extra whole candy canes scattered beside the bowls, and a small white bowl containing dark chocolate sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced 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, sweet base that balances the mint and chocolate without overpowering.
Milk: Thins the shake just enough for a smooth sipable consistency – you can adjust this to how thick or thin you like it.
Candy canes: Freshly crushed is key for that authentic peppermint crunch; you’ll want pieces that don’t dissolve completely.
Mini semisweet chocolate chips: Little pockets of chocolate are the best surprise – I love how they stay intact but melt slightly as you drink.
Whipped cream and sprinkles: The fun finishing touches that add creaminess and festive flair.

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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 like to experiment a little with my Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe depending on the season or who I’m making it for. It’s super adaptable, so feel free to tweak it based on your preferences or what you have on hand.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the vanilla ice cream for chocolate or peppermint-flavored ice cream to amp up the mint-chocolate vibe. It’s like taking the bark flavor up a notch!

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

Step 1: Blend the Vanilla Base

Start by adding your vanilla ice cream and milk to the blender. I usually use 1 cup milk but if you like your shake a bit thinner, feel free to add an extra half cup. Blend for about 30 seconds until it’s super smooth with no large lumps of ice cream stuck anywhere.

Step 2: Add Peppermint and Chocolate

Now it’s time for the fun stuff — toss in those crushed candy canes and mini chocolate chips. Give the blender a few quick pulses — about 10 to 15 seconds. You want the peppermint to break up just slightly, not pulverized into dust. You'll see little beautiful bits dispersed evenly throughout the shake.

Step 3: Serve Up and Garnish

Pour your milkshakes into glasses and top with a generous swirl of whipped cream. I love adding an extra candy cane or two on top and a sprinkle of chocolate chips or festive chocolate sprinkles. It looks gorgeous and tastes even better.

Top Tip

From making this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe a bunch of times, I’ve learned some helpful little tricks that really improve the final shake. Here’s what I always do to make it perfect every time.

Use cold ingredients: Keep your ice cream and milk chilled until just before blending so the shake stays thick and frosty.
Don’t over-pulse the candy canes: You want texture, not powder — pulsing just a few times keeps that lovely crunch.
Add chocolate chips last: Tossing them in after the ice cream base blends keeps their shape better and adds delightful bursts.
Serve immediately: Milkshakes are best fresh to keep the texture and flavor just right — they’ll tend to melt or separate if left too long.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

peppermint bark milkshake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for whipping up a cloud of whipped cream and topping with a mini candy cane or two for that extra festive flair. Sometimes I add rainbow chocolate sprinkles or even crushed peppermint pieces for a little color and crunch. These garnishes not only make the shake look irresistible but add that finishing boost in flavor and texture.

Side Dishes

While this milkshake is a dessert on its own, I love pairing it with soft gingerbread cookies or a warm chocolate chip cookie. The contrast of warm cookies with the cold minty shake creates such a cozy treat combo that's perfect for winter afternoons.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve served the Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe in tall mason jars with red and white striped straws, sprinkled crushed candy cane salt around the rim of the glass, and placed festive napkins underneath. It adds fun visual appeal and makes it feel like a special holiday indulgence. You can also layer whipped cream and chocolate sauce inside the glass before pouring the shake for a marbled effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually recommend making this recipe fresh since milkshakes taste best right away. But if you have leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The texture may separate a bit, so give it a good stir or quick blend before drinking.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing leftover milkshakes, but honestly, it changes the texture—sometimes it gets icy or grainy. I find it’s better to freeze candy canes and chocolate chips separately to add to freshly made shakes than to freeze the whole milkshake itself.

Reheating

Since this is a milkshake, reheating isn’t really recommended, but if it’s been refrigerated and separated, a quick blend with some fresh milk can revive it perfectly. Just don’t try microwaving—it’ll defeat the whole chilled texture we all love.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe dairy-free or vegan?

Absolutely! Use your favorite dairy-free vanilla ice cream and plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. The candy canes and chocolate chips, just check the packaging to ensure they're free from animal products.

What type of candy canes work best in this milkshake?

I recommend using classic peppermint candy canes that are freshly crushed. Avoid flavored or colored ones that might overpower the delicate mint-chocolate balance.

How can I make the milkshake thinner or thicker?

To thin it out, add more milk a little at a time until you reach your preferred consistency. For a thicker shake, use less milk or add a bit more ice cream. Also, chilling the glass helps keep it thick longer while drinking.

Can I prepare this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe in advance for a party?

It’s best to prepare and blend the milkshakes right before serving for maximum freshness and texture. However, you can crush candy canes and have chocolate chips ready earlier to save time at the last minute.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is one of those simple joys that feels like a little holiday hug in a glass. Whether you're making it for yourself, sharing it with friends, or surprising family, it’s a festive treat that never fails to bring smiles. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your favorite seasonal indulgence, just like it has for me.