In just minutes, you can make a decadent Pumpkin Milkshake at home! With a ribbon of salted caramel running through, this tasty fall dessert idea is one your kids will crave!
Although I'm not a huge pumpkin fan, there is one thing I search out every fall. A Pumpkin Ice Cream Milkshake. And now I make them at home.
In college, I worked at a diner that added them to the menu seasonally. And when I told my kids I knew how to make them, they freaked out. In a good way.
Why This Recipe Works
With canned pumpkin filling, pie spices and vanilla ice cream, this easy dessert drink is super tasty and something everyone can make at home.
And adding salted caramel and a salted whipped cream makes it even more indulgent. You're going to devour this Pumpkin Pie Milkshake.
I always seem to have canned pumpkin in my cupboards at this time of year. And along with a few other ingredients that are easy to keep on hand, these are super easy to make.
All you need is a high-powered blender or Shake Maker and a few minutes.
If you are a fan of pumpkin desserts, this one is creamy and flavorful and you're going to love it! Grab some ice cream and your blender and mix up a batch for a tasty treat!
But you'll also want to try this Pumpkin Cake recipe and this Brown Sugar Pie recipe. They're also great for this time of year.
You also might love a Pumpkin Recipes e-cookbook! I put this together with some blogging friends and it has 30 recipes with breakfast, drinks and desserts that are all pumpkin flavored! YUM!
Ingredient Notes
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements and instructions.
I am in love with this rich flavor combination but you can take things out or add ingredients in to suit your tastes.
I made sure to use vanilla ice cream as the base of this recipe. While pumpkin ice cream shows up in stores every fall, it's only available for a short period of time.
I'm all about shortcuts, but I also like to make recipes when the mood strikes, and this way I can have pumpkin shakes all year long!
If you don't have a ready-made pumpkin pie spice in your cabinet you can use: ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon allspice, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg.
Spruce Eats has a great resource for making different amounts of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
And, of course, you can make your own salted caramel sauce. But why? That will add on so much time.
And you can find delicious, ready-made sauces at any store.
How to Make a Pumpkin Milkshake
Make Salted Whipped Cream
In a bowl whip up the heavy cream with a pinch of sea salt until light and fluffy, set aside.
I love to use Maldon sea salt for this. I find that sea salt isn't overly salty. And this has big flakes that don't dissolve so there is a crunch that is lovely.
I'm a big fan of that sweet and salty dessert combo. Go easy with the salt in your whipped cream at first to see how you like it.
Of course, you can leave the salt out altogether. And you can just use store-bought whipped cream.
Make the Milkshake
I was trying to keep my photos really pretty and my blender just wasn't pretty.
I put the ingredients in a bowl to show you how easy this recipe is but you'll add everything to a blender.
Or, if using a hand mixer, you'll need a larger bowl. I would use a batter bowl.
But to make this shake, you'll put milk, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice mix in a blender.
Pulse it until everything is incorporated.
Add vanilla ice cream and the salted caramel and pulse until combined. I like to make sure it's combined but not fully mixed.
I love to see that caramel swirled in the glass!
Pour into tall glasses. Then top with the salted whipped cream.
I finished off the pumpkin spice milkshakes with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon. But you could also do more caramel if you're feeling extra decadent.
Have you seen those freak shakes that spill down the side of the glass?? Ugh.
I am mess averse. I like my desserts in the glass. Not on it. But you can make these super crazy like that if you want.
Tips and Tricks
- If the shake is too thick, you can use some milk or cream to thin it out a bit. Just make sure you start with a little and add as needed. You don't want to make it too runny.
- You can swap out the vanilla ice cream for something you prefer like a non-dairy option or even frozen yogurt.
- You can get really creative and add even more fun flavors to your Pumpkin Milkshake recipe. Add a splash of orange juice to really brighten it up. Or even add coffee to add complexity.
- Want to make this boozy? Add in a cream liqueur like Baileys' or RumChata! YUM!
- Since you are only using a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree in this recipe, you can reserve the rest for other recipes like a Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule or even freeze it (in 2-3 tablespoon scoops) to use all season long.
- And although it's not true, I like to think of this as a serving of vegetables...;)
Frequently Asked Questions
These Pumpkin Milkshakes uses canned pumpkin puree. It's the easiest way to get that pumpkin flavor into a dessert. It's a lot of work to make your own homemade pumpkin puree so keep some in your cupboard so you can make these any time you want.
Yes, Pumpkin Milkshakes can use pumpkin ice cream. You can simply swap that for the vanilla ice cream. But because the pumpkin ice cream will have its own spices, you may want to cut back on the amounts used in this recipe. I would mix the pumpkin ice cream and whipping cream then taste and add in more flavors if needed.
Yes. You can make a Pumpkin Shake without using ice cream. To keep the creaminess, you can use vanilla yogurt. You'll need to play around with the recipe to get the right taste ratio. Check out this Skinny Pumpkin Milkshake to see that method in action.
The only other thing I might do next time is to swirl some extra caramel inside the glass before pouring in the milkshake.
But, you guys. This Pumpkin Milkshake is SO yummy!
It's quick and easy to make and it's a fun treat to make during the fall. You'll love this indulgent, creamy Pumpkin Shake!
More Pumpkin Recipes
- Fireball Pumpkin Pie is a recipe you're going to want to try this year!
- Pumpkin Dump Cake is a quick and easy dessert to make that is great for a crowd.
- Pumpkin Mug Cake is a single-serving of a yummy pumpkin cake that you can make right in the microwave.
- Pumpkin Moscow Mule is the perfect cocktail to make when you have a little leftover canned pumpkin.
- Pumpkin Margarita uses tequila and pumpkin to create a fun, seasonal drink idea.
- Pumpkin Michelada is a great beer cocktail to make for the fall!
Or browse more delicious pumpkin cocktails!
Pumpkin Milkshake with Salted Caramel
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 3 cups vanilla ice cream
- ¼ cup salted caramel
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Heavy pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- In a bowl whip up the heavy cream with a pinch of sea salt until light and fluffy, set aside.
- Put milk, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice mix in a blender.
- Pulse until incorporated.
- Add vanilla ice cream and the salted caramel and pulse until combined.
- Pour into tall glasses.
- Top with the salted whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes
- You can swap out the vanilla ice cream for something you prefer like a non-dairy option or even frozen yogurt.
- You can get really creative with this recipe and add even more fun flavors to your Pumpkin Milkshake. Add a splash of orange juice to really brighten it up. Or even add coffee to add complexity.
- Want to make this boozy? Add in a cream liqueur like Baileys' or RumChata! YUM!
- Since you are only using a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree in this recipe, you can reserve the rest for other recipes like a Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule or even freeze it (in 2-3 tablespoon scoops) to use all season long.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on October 28, 2020 and has now been updated with better instructions so you can make this tasty fall dessert perfectly every time!
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