There’s something utterly magical when creamy vanilla ice cream meets crisp peppermint and rich chocolate—truly a winter wonderland in a glass. This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is exactly that: festive, refreshing, and a cinch to whip up. It’s one of those treats that instantly lifts your mood and feels like a cozy holiday hug.

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

I’ve made this peppermint bark milkshake countless times during the holiday season, and honestly, it never fails to wow. What makes it special is the perfect balance of creamy sweetness with that sharp burst of peppermint, plus the little crunchy chocolate bits that surprise you with every sip.

Super simple and quick: Ready in under 5 minutes, perfect for those spontaneous festive cravings.
Deliciously festive: Peppermint and chocolate make this milkshake feel like a holiday party in a glass.
Customizable: Easily adjust the thickness or intensity of peppermint to suit your taste buds.
Perfect for sharing: Makes two large servings—great for cozy catch-ups or a holiday treat for loved ones.

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 in the Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe plays its part in creating the ultimate festive flavor. From creamy vanilla ice cream providing the base to the minty snap of candy canes and the rich, bittersweet chocolate chips, they blend perfectly but still let each flavor shine through.

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, smooth foundation that balances peppermint sharpness beautifully.
Milk: Adjusts the shake’s thickness, making it easy to sip or spoon depending on preference.
Candy canes (crushed): Adds the fresh peppermint crunch and a festive touch.
Mini semisweet chocolate chips: Little bursts of chocolate make the texture exciting and rich.
Whipped cream: For that luscious, cloud-like topping that’s irresistible.
Candy canes and chocolate sprinkles (for garnish): Makes it look festive and adds extra flavor layers.

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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 playing around with the peppermint intensity here—sometimes I add extra crushed candy canes for more crunch and zing, other times I dial down the milk for a thicker, creamier texture like a dessert you spoon. You should definitely feel free to experiment to get it just right for you!

Minty Boost: If you’re after a stronger peppermint flavor, try adding a drop of peppermint extract; just be careful, a little goes a long way.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap vanilla ice cream and milk for coconut or almond-based alternatives—they blend just as well and taste fantastic.
Extra Chocolate: Toss in a tablespoon of chocolate syrup or a handful of shaved dark chocolate for a richer chocolate note.
Adult Twist: A splash of peppermint schnapps or crème de menthe turns this into a grown-up holiday treat, perfect for parties.

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

Step 1: Blend the creamy base

Start by adding one pint of rich vanilla ice cream and one cup of milk into your blender. Blend this combo for about 30 seconds until it reaches a smooth, silky consistency. If you love a thinner shake, like I sometimes do, just pour in that extra half cup of milk and pulse it again. This step is key for getting that lush creamy base without any ice crystals.

Step 2: Add the peppermint crunch and chocolate chips

Next, toss in your crushed candy canes and mini semisweet chocolate chips. Use the pulse function on your blender for 10 to 15 seconds—your goal here is just to distribute the candy evenly without pulverizing it. Those little crunchy peppermint bits are what make this milkshake feel so special and festive, so don’t blend too long or you’ll lose the texture.

Step 3: Serve with festive flair

Pour your gorgeous milkshake into your favorite glasses. Then, crown each shake with a generous swirl of whipped cream, sprinkle more candy cane pieces, and finish with chocolate sprinkles or chips. This final touch not only makes it look inviting but adds a little extra fun in every bite and sip.

Top Tip

Over the years of making this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe, I've learned a few little tricks that make all the difference—and I want you to benefit from them, too.

Crush Candy Canes Just Right: Use a gentle hand when crushing candy canes so the pieces aren’t powdery—chunky bits give that satisfying crunch.
Blend in Short Bursts: When pulsing in the candy canes and chocolate chips, use short blends to keep texture intact and avoid a gritty shake.
Choose Quality Ice Cream: A creamy, high-quality vanilla ice cream really elevates the flavor and texture of your shake.
Keep Glasses Cold: Chill your glasses in the freezer before pouring in the milkshake to keep that cool temperature longer—especially helpful when entertaining.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

peppermint bark milkshake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I never skip the whipped cream topping—there’s just no milkshake quite complete without it. I love adding extra crushed candy canes on top for that peppermint snap and a sprinkle or two of chocolate chips or festive sprinkles to make it look irresistible. It’s like dessert art!

Side Dishes

Since the milkshake is decadent and rich, I often serve it alongside simple, crisp cookies—sugar cookies or shortbread are my go-tos. They balance the flavors nicely and add a little bite without competing against the shake’s magic.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve layered crushed peppermint candies at the bottom of clear glasses before pouring the milkshake. Another fun idea is to rim the glass with crushed candy canes and dip it in melted chocolate before chilling. It’s a stunning presentation trick that always sparks compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I rarely have leftovers of this milkshake because it’s usually devoured quickly, but if you do, keep it covered in the fridge and enjoy within a day. Give a quick stir before drinking since it can separate or thicken after chilling.

Freezing

Freezing the milkshake itself isn’t ideal since texture changes and it can get icy. Instead, if you want to prep ahead, blend the base (ice cream and milk) and freeze that, then add candy and mix fresh when ready to serve.

Reheating

Since it’s a cold treat, reheating isn’t necessary. If it thickens too much after refrigeration, just let it sit out for a few minutes before blending again to refresh the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different flavors of ice cream in the peppermint bark milkshake recipe?

Absolutely! While classic vanilla pairs best for that traditional peppermint bark flavor, experimenting with chocolate or mint chocolate chip ice cream can add a fun twist. Just keep in mind the flavor balance so peppermint doesn’t become overpowering.

How can I crush candy canes without making a mess?

One of the best ways I've found is to place the candy canes inside a sealed zip-top bag and then gently pound with a rolling pin or a heavy pan. This keeps the pieces contained and lets you control the size of the chunks, which is perfect for the milkshake.

Can I make this peppermint bark milkshake recipe vegan?

Definitely! Just swap the vanilla ice cream and milk with your favorite plant-based versions like coconut milk ice cream and almond or oat milk. The flavors still come through beautifully and the texture stays creamy, too.

What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate chips from sinking?

To keep chocolate chips from sinking in the milkshake, add them just before you pulse the blender so they distribute evenly, and avoid over-blending. Alternatively, sprinkling some on top as garnish ensures you get chocolate flavor with every sip.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is one I keep coming back to because it’s simple, festive, and always feels like a little celebration. It’s the kind of treat I love sharing with friends and family during the holidays or any time I need a bit of joy. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s not just a milkshake, it’s a memory in a glass.