Few things say festive like the cool, refreshing bite of mint and the rich sweetness of chocolate coming together in a creamy shake. This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is a real crowd-pleaser, blending those classic holiday flavors into a frosty, indulgent treat that’s ridiculously easy to whip up.

This image shows a tall clear glass filled with a light pink milkshake that has small dark chocolate pieces mixed inside, with a layer of crushed chocolate bits settled at the bottom. On top, there is a swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled with small dark chocolate bits and a red and white striped candy cane hanging on the side of the glass. The glass is placed on a white plate with a small silver spoon beside it, all set on a white marbled surface. In the background, there is another similar milkshake and a small bottle of milk, with some red Christmas ornaments and candy canes scattered on the surface. 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

This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe quickly became one of my go-to holiday treats because it’s part milkshake, part candy bar, and all kinds of delicious. Whether you’re sipping it by the fire or serving it up at a party, it’s a simple way to satisfy that peppermint craving.

Perfect Balance: The smooth vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully with crunchy candy cane pieces and melty chocolate chips for a delightful texture contrast.
Quick & Easy: It comes together in just minutes — no fancy equipment or complicated steps, making it ideal for last-minute guests.
Festive Flavors: With the peppermint bark twist, it’s a fun way to enjoy classic candy flavors in a cool, creamy form.
Customizable: You can tweak the thickness or swap ingredients for your dietary preferences without losing its signature flavor.

A tall clear glass filled with a light pink milkshake showing small dark bits at the bottom, topped with a swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled with dark chocolate chips, and a red and white striped candy cane hooked on the rim. The glass sits on a white plate with a small silver spoon on the side. A woman's hand is holding the glass. In the background, another similar glass with whipped cream and chocolate chips, a small bottle of milk, scattered candy bits, and red Christmas ornaments are placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a special role in creating that perfect Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe. The balance between creamy, crunchy, and sweet is what makes it stand out — and knowing how to pick the best each time helps a lot.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of smooth vanilla ice cream scoops, a small white ceramic bowl of fresh whole milk, two whole uncrushed peppermint candy canes with bright red and white stripes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy mini semisweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl piled with fluffy whipped cream, one whole peppermint candy cane and a small white ceramic bowl of fine dark chocolate sprinkles, all arranged in perfect symmetry and realistic 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: Choose a good-quality, creamy vanilla ice cream; it forms the rich base for the shake and balances the peppermint’s sharpness perfectly.
Milk: Whole milk is ideal for creaminess, but you can use your favorite milk or plant-based milk alternative depending on preference.
Candy Canes: Crushing them yourself is crucial – it keeps nice chunks for texture without turning to powder, which could make the shake gritty.
Mini Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These melt just enough to add chocolate swirls but still hold a bit of shape for that classic bark feel.
Whipped Cream & Garnishes: I love topping mine with fluffy whipped cream and extra crushed candy canes for that festive, Instagram-worthy finish.

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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

One of the things I love about this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Sometimes, I play with the thickness by adding a splash more milk or swapping candy canes for peppermint extract when I’m out of the real thing.

Variation: For a boozy twist, I’ll add a shot of peppermint schnapps or crème de menthe — it turns this dessert shake into an adult holiday sipper.
Dairy-Free: You can swap both ice cream and milk with coconut milk-based versions for a vegan-friendly milkshake that still nails the flavor.
Extra Crunch: Adding some crushed graham crackers or cookie bits gives a fun texture variation if you’re feeling adventurous.

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

Step 1: Blend Vanilla Ice Cream and Milk Until Smooth

Start by adding your vanilla ice cream and milk right into the blender. I usually blend for about 30 seconds — enough to get that thick creaminess without turning it into a runny smoothie. Want it looser? Add another half cup of milk, but be careful not to overdo it or the shake loses its indulgent feel.

Step 2: Add Candy Canes and Chocolate Chips, Pulse Gently

Once your base is ready, toss in the crushed candy canes and mini chocolate chips. Pulse the blender for about 10-15 seconds — this way, you get little bursts of peppermint candy throughout without pulverizing them into tiny bits. I’ve found that keeping some pieces bigger adds a great surprise crunch!

Step 3: Pour, Garnish, and Enjoy

Pour the milkshake into your favorite glass, then top with whipped cream, an extra sprinkle of crushed candy canes, and those chocolate sprinkles you can't resist. This extra flair is totally optional but really takes it from simple to festive.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that really elevate this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe. These tips make all the difference between a good shake and a knock-your-socks-off treat.

Crush Candy Canes Just Right: Avoid pulverizing them too fine — use a rolling pin or a food processor with quick pulses for chunkier texture that doesn’t dissolve.
Don’t Overblend: Adding candy canes and chocolate chips at the end with a short pulse keeps distinct bits intact, so you get that sparkle of crunch and chocolate.
Use Room Temperature Chocolate Chips: Not too warm or cold — this helps them spread their flavor without melting completely into the shake.
Pick Quality Ice Cream: Good vanilla ice cream with real vanilla bean specks makes a noticeable difference in flavor richness.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

peppermint bark milkshake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a couple of crushed candy canes on top for that sparkling peppermint look. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra indulgence. It never fails to impress friends and family.

Side Dishes

This milkshake is quite rich, so I like pairing it with light, festive treats like gingerbread cookies or a small plate of fresh fruit, like thinly sliced oranges dusted with cinnamon. It’s all about balancing richness with freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve served this milkshake in mini mason jars decorated with festive ribbons and personalized tags. Adding a striped paper straw (red and white, of course) makes it feel extra special. Another fun idea: rim the glass with crushed candy canes for a sweet, crunchy touch right from the first sip.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This milkshake is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just give it a good stir before drinking because some separation happens naturally.

Freezing

While I haven’t tried freezing the milkshake itself, freezing the ice cream and candy canes in advance means you can blend a fresh batch anytime. If you want to freeze the blended shake, know the texture might change, so it’s better to treat leftovers as a creamy slush rather than a smooth shake.

Reheating

Since this is a cold treat, reheating isn’t recommended. Instead, if leftovers are too thick or icy, just let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then stir or re-blend quickly for smoothness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peppermint extract instead of candy canes in this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute peppermint extract for the crushed candy canes if you prefer a smoother shake without the crunch. Start with ½ teaspoon and adjust to taste, but keep in mind you’ll lose the candy’s texture and bite.

What’s the best way to crush candy canes for this milkshake?

Crushing candy canes in a sealed plastic bag using a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan works great. Pulse briefly in a food processor if you want quicker results, but avoid over-pulsing to retain some chunkiness for texture.

Can I make this milkshake vegan or dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the vanilla ice cream and milk for your favorite dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond milk ice cream and milk substitutes. The flavor might be slightly different but still delicious.

How do I prevent the chocolate chips from melting too much in my milkshake?

Use mini chocolate chips at room temperature and add them at the end of blending, pulsing only briefly. This helps keep a bit of their shape without fully melting into the shake, giving you delightful chocolate bursts.

Final Thoughts

Making this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe brings back warm memories of decorating the tree and holiday gatherings with friends. It’s like wrapping those festive feelings up in a glass. Once you try it, I’m confident you’ll want to make it your signature holiday treat too — it’s just that good, and impossibly easy to love.