Chocolate smoothie with bananas and cookies
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When it's a hot, summer day, nothing can be quite as refreshing as a cold, frofty milkshake. This is especially the case when it's served from that diner spot in town that's known for making the best ones around. And with milkshakes that can be whipped up in several different combinations such as peanut butter and banana, oreo and chocolate and so much more.

So you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can make diner-quality milkshakes right at home - and it's all with or without a blender. That's right. You can use number of common appliances to sub in for a blender for when that milkshake craving strikes.

Substitute a Blender With These Four Kitchen Applicances

Blenders are great for making milkshakes, but they aren't the only kitchen applicance that can get the job done. These four appliances make for a great replacement for a frothy shake.

  • Food Processor: A powerful food processor may be designed to chop vegetables, but it can also make a creamy milkshake, even with ice cream that's frozen hard. Make the shake with a food processor as you would in a blender, adding milk to thin out the shake as desired.
  • Drink Mixer: A soda fountain machine specifically designed for milkshakes, the drink mixer churns out light, fluffy shakes and smoothies with an even consistency. As a bonus, you can also use it to beat eggs and thin batters.
  • Stick Blender: An immersion blender, otherwise known as a stick or hand blender, won't take up a lot of kitchen counter space but can make a shake just as effectively as a larger appliance. Put all of your milkshake ingredients in a deep bowl or pan, insert the immersion blender and turn it on until your shake is thoroughly mixed.
  • Electric Mixer: Many electric mixers are designed to handle heavy batters or to knead dough, so blending up the ingredients in a milkshake is no problem. To prevent splattering while making a milkshake with a mixer, use a very deep bowl and mix only the ice cream until it's soft and aerated. Then stir or whip in the milk by hand.

Don't Own Electric Applicances? Use These Common Household Items

No fancy appliances? No problem. You can still make a milkshake with common kitchen supplies.

  • Drink Shaker: To make your milkshake in a drink shaker, soften your ice cream beforehand. Combine the softened ice cream with your milk and other ingredients in the shaker, then shake vigorously until the ingredients are combined and the shake is smooth. 
  • Mason Jar: A Mason jar can serve the same purpose as a drink shaker. Use a jar big enough to hold all of your ingredients with room to spare, and shake for several minutes from all directions.
  • Whisk and Bowl: Place softened ice cream in a deep bowl. Whisk vigorously to break up the ice cream until it's a thick, even consistency. Add your milk slowly and continue whisking until your shake is the thickness you desire.

Milkshake Tip #1: Stir in Your Own Toppings

When using any type of electric appliance to make a milkshake, stir in syrup or toppings by hand at the end. Otherwise, they will become lost in the puree of your shake.

Milkshake Tip #2: Soften Ice Cream Before Use

The type of ice cream you use will determine the texture of your shake. Premium ice creams will make thicker, creamier shakes, and light ice creams will make fluffier shakes. Soften a pint of ice cream by letting it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. Half-gallons of ice cream may need to sit for several more minutes to soften.

Milkshake Tip #3: Follow the Correct Milk to Ice Cream Ratio

Start with a ratio of about three parts ice cream to one part milk. After mixing, if your shake is too thick, add milk in small amounts until you achieve the consistency you want.