Step by step

Method

5 steps

1. 1

   Chill a tall glass in the freezer 5 minutes if you want the shake to stay cold longer.

2. 2

   Add 2 cups vanilla ice cream, ½ cup cold milk, ¼ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to a blender.

3. 3

   Blend until smooth and thick, 20–40 seconds. If it's too stiff to pour, add a splash more milk; if it's too thin, add another scoop of ice cream and pulse.

4. 4

   Taste and blend in the second tablespoon of sugar if you want it sweeter.

5. 5

   Pour into the chilled glass. Top with whipped cream and a cherry if you like, and serve with a straw. You want a thick, vanilla milkshake that tastes creamy and cold — not thin vanilla milk or a blender full of unmixed ice cream lumps.