A New Take On Dessert: Warm Shakes for the Cold Season

Alright, I know it sounds weird but hear me out: this dessert is like a milkshake meets pudding meets the desire for something warm. It is basically a thin warm pudding made up to act and drink like a milkshake. It is ah-mazing. It has the thickness of a milkshake (and you could add all the same toppings and flavors to it as well), but it’s warm and creamy like a pudding. At first, when I came up with this idea, Derek thought I was being crazy again (like the time I tried to convince him we should melt gummy bears and chocolate together to make caramel), but after trying it, he’s hooked. This is the perfect dessert for a cold day that is truly decadent and indulgent like a shake.

Just interested in the recipe? Skip straight to it.

The best part of this dessert drinking it through a straw. I never really thought I would say it, but I tried eating this recipe with a spoon, and it’s good, nothing to complain about. But it is truly soul-warming to drink this through a straw, especially a metal one because then the straw gets all warm and just warms everything else up too.

Now, to my knowledge, there isn’t really anything out there like this. I tried looking it up and researching it after we made it up so I wasn’t claiming an idea that had been around for ages, but all I found were horrid ‘warm smoothies’. I fell down that rabbit hole pretty hard and I just can’t seem to wrap my head around a warm smoothie and that’s that. Anyways, I couldn’t find anything about a warm milkshake or anything remotely similar, so if you know of a dessert that is close to this, let me know!

Okay, back to trying to convince you this is the best thing that’ll ever pass your lips and that you need to clear your schedule for the evening and dedicate it to this recipe. I’ve tried several classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, cookies and cream, mocha, and a few others, and they are all fantastic. I decided to give more seasonal flavors, because I know that’s all I’m looking forward to now that we are officially in fall. So, I will share here my vanilla and chocolate base recipe (which you would treat like an ice cream base in a milkshake, adding toppings and mix-ins to get what flavor you want), and then three seasonal flavors (pumpkin spice, peppermint bark, and Mexican hot chocolate).

Let’s get to the good stuff!

Vanilla and Chocolate Base Recipes

Below are the chocolate and vanilla bases that can be used like the ice cream in a milkshake. Simply stir-in toppings/flavorings after pulling the pudding off the stove and create any combination you can dream of. Further below I include the recipe for three seasonal flavors.

Vanilla Warm Shake Base Recipe

• Servings: 2
• Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
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A vanilla take on the warm, creamy, pudding-like dessert shake.

This is the vanilla base that would be great on its own or to add crushed toppings and flavors to for your own warm shake concoction.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt and whisk until everything is incorporated and lump free (could put through a sieve too).

2. Add milk and vanilla. Add the milk slowly while stirring constantly. When about 1 cup of milk is in, stop adding and stir the mixture until everything is well combined, then add the remaining milk and the vanilla and stir again to combine.

3. Cook. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to begin cooking, stirring often. It will take about 10 minutes for the mixture to begin letting off steam, at this point you should be stirring nearly constantly (I would also taste at this point and add in more sugar if needed, spices, or any extracts desired). After 3-5 minutes you should notice it becoming thick, slightly harder to stir, and should coat a spoon (but you can still see a bit of metal through it). Once the mixture has noticeably thickened but is still thin for a pudding, remove it from the heat and stir for one minute off the heat. Let sit for five to ten minutes, or until it is a comfortable drinking temperature. Whisk well before serving.

4. Add mix-ins/flavorings and enjoy. At this point, your vanilla base is complete, you can either stir in toppings (like crushed Oreos) or stir in a different flavor/extract to make your own combination. 

Chocolate Warm Shake Base Recipe

• Servings: 2
• Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Print

A chocolate take on the warm, creamy, pudding-like dessert shake.

This is the chocolate base that would be great on its own or to add crushed toppings and flavors to for your own warm shake concoction.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (or more if desired)
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt and whisk until everything is incorporated and lump free (could put through a sieve too). Large cocoa clumps can be pressed out with the back of a spoon if whisking won’t get them out.

2. Add milk and vanilla. Add the milk slowly while stirring constantly. When about 1 cup of milk is in, stop adding and stir the mixture until everything is well combined, then add the remaining milk and the vanilla and stir again to combine.

3. Cook. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to begin cooking, stirring often. It will take about 10 minutes for the mixture to begin letting off steam, at this point you should be stirring nearly constantly (I would also taste at this point and add in more sugar if needed and any spices or extracts desired). After 3-5 minutes you should notice it becoming thick, slightly harder to stir, and should coat a spoon (but you can still see a bit of metal through it). Once the mixture has noticeably thickened but is still thin for a pudding, remove it from the heat and stir for one minute off the heat. Let sit for five to ten minutes, or until it is a comfortable drinking temperature. Whisk well before serving.

4. Add mix-ins/flavorings and enjoy. At this point, your chocolate base is complete, you can either stir in toppings (like crushed Oreos) or stir in a different flavor/extract to make your own combination.

Seasonal Flavors to Get You Started

Here are three seasonal flavors to help get you started and show how I handled various mix-ins and ingredients.

Pumpkin Spice Warm Shake Recipe

• Servings: 2
• Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Print

A pumpkin spice take on the warm, creamy, pudding-like dessert shake using the vanilla base and real pumpkin.

This recipe uses the vanilla base and just adds pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or to taste)
• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt and whisk until everything is incorporated and lump free (could put through a sieve too).

2. Add milk and flavorings. Add the milk slowly while stirring constantly. When about 1 cup of milk is in, stop adding and stir the mixture until everything is well combined, then stir in the remaining milk. Add the vanilla, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice and stir to combine.

3. Cook. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to begin cooking, stirring often. It will take about 10 minutes for the mixture to begin letting off steam, at this point you should be stirring nearly constantly (taste once warm and adjust accordingly). After 3-5 minutes you should notice it becoming thick, slightly harder to stir, and should coat a spoon (but you can still see a bit of metal through it). Once the mixture has noticeably thickened but is still thin for a pudding, remove it from the heat and stir for one minute off the heat. Let sit for five to ten minutes, or until it is a comfortable drinking temperature. Whisk well before serving.

4. Enjoy! Place into a mug with a handle, top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, and devour through a tiny straw.

Peppermint Bark Warm Shake Recipe

• Servings: 2
• Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Print

A peppermint take on the warm, creamy, pudding-like dessert shake using the vanilla base, peppermint, and chocolate.

This is recipe uses the vanilla shake base and adds peppermint extract, chocolate chips, and a bit of food coloring if desired.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (depends on how strong your is
• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (can use milk, dark, white or a combination thereof!)
• red dye (optional)

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt and whisk until everything is incorporated and lump free (could put through a sieve too).

2. Add milk and flavorings. Add the milk slowly while stirring constantly. When about 1 cup of milk is in, stop adding and stir the mixture until everything is well combined, then add the remaining milk, vanilla, and peppermint extract and stir again to combine.

3. Cook. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to begin cooking, stirring often. It will take about 10 minutes for the mixture to begin letting off steam, at this point you should be stirring nearly constantly (taste once warm and adjust accordingly). After 3-5 minutes you should notice it becoming thick, slightly harder to stir, and should coat a spoon (but you can still see a bit of metal through it). Once the mixture has noticeably thickened but is still thin for a pudding, remove it from the heat and stir for one minute off the heat. Add in food coloring here if desired until you reach a pink coloring. Let sit for five to ten minutes, or until it is a comfortable drinking temperature. Whisk well before serving.

4. Assemble. Place into a mug with a handle, top with chocolate chips (will melt completely if mixed in) and whipped cream. Can add crushed candy cane, more chocolate chips, or red sprinkles for garnish.

5. Enjoy! 

Mexican Hot Chocolate Warm Shake Recipe

• Servings: 2
• Time: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Print

A Mexican hot chocolate take on the warm, creamy, pudding-like dessert shake using the chocolate base and additional spices

This recipe uses the chocolate shake base and adds in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne for a hot chocolate kick.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar (or more to taste)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (or more if desired)
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of cayenne

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients. In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt and whisk until everything is incorporated and lump free (could put through a sieve too). Large cocoa clumps can be pressed out with the back of a spoon if whisking won’t get them out.

2. Add milk and vanilla. Add the milk slowly while stirring constantly. When about 1 cup of milk is in, stop adding and stir the mixture until everything is well combined, then add the remaining milk and the vanilla and stir again to combine.

3. Cook. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat to begin cooking, stirring often. It will take about 10 minutes for the mixture to begin letting off steam, at this point you should be stirring nearly constantly (taste once warm and adjust accordingly). After 3-5 minutes you should notice it becoming thick, slightly harder to stir, and should coat a spoon (but you can still see a bit of metal through it). Once the mixture has noticeably thickened but is still thin for a pudding, remove it from the heat and stir for one minute off the heat. Let sit for five to ten minutes, or until it is a comfortable drinking temperature. Whisk well before serving.

4. Enjoy! Place into a mug with a handle, top with whipped cream and cinnamon/cocoa powder, and devour through a tiny straw.

That’s it, a beautiful new dessert that is definitely worth trying! Let me know in the comments below what you think and any flavor combinations you came up with! Also, I would love to see your creations so tag me on Instagram if you try it (@MollyKamper).

As always, thank you so much for reading and I hope your day is as awesome as these shakes (which means it’s gonna be pretty good, just sayin’).

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