VALHACKS

“Val Hacks” is a column dedicated to exploring the culinary possibilities of Valentine Dining Hall. This week, Ivy Haight ’25 presents her recipe for a customizable milkshake, adaptable to a variety of flavors and toppings.

With the closure of Schwemm’s, the next source of our milkshakes is more precarious than ever. The only way I have found comfort in this situation is by making my own milkshakes in Val. The flavor possibilities are limitless, there are unconventional toppings galore, and you will be awarded genius status by your friends when you make milkshakes out of ingredients from Val.

Directions:

Fill two thirds of a tall Val cup with your soft serve of choice (can be plant-based or regular)

Fill the remaining third of the cup with your liquid of choice (can be plant-based or regular)

Stir until it’s a smooth consistency, and add toppings!

Ingredients:

Chocolate Milkshake: chocolate soft serve, chocolate milk

Vanilla Milkshake (pictured): vanilla soft serve, vanilla/plain milk

Coffee Milkshake (pictured): vanilla soft serve, coffee (iced is ideal, but if it has to be hot coffee, put in more soft serve and less liquid)

Mocha Milkshake: chocolate soft serve, coffee

Potential toppings:

• Sprinkles

• Crushed M&Ms

• Whipped cream

• Chocolate sauce

• Butterscotch sauce

• Pump of vanilla or caramel syrup

• Marshmallows

• Peanut butter

• Granola (for a lot of extra crunch)

• If you want to try a more complex flavor profile, add chai powder or hot chocolate powder

Alden Parker ’26 Columnist

It’s hard for anyone to get it entirely right the first time around. Most authors and other creatives, as they or their fans can tell you, will have a few works under their belt before they produce a story, image, or song that they feel they can be proud of, with even more trial and error re-