Recipe

Spooky Shakes

Recipe & Photo by Jamie Alexander

These Halloween themed milkshakes are sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike! They are perfect for when it still feels a bit too warm outside for hot apple cider, but you’re wanting a treat that feels like autumn. It couldn’t be easier to make milkshakes at home, and they can be decorated with simple touches to make them extra-fun.

For these Halloween milkshakes, I chose mint chocolate chip ice cream for the Frankenstein monster, vanilla for the ghost, and orange creamsicle for the pumpkin (which was more popular with kids than pumpkin flavored). After blending, I used a black permanent marker to draw the faces on the glass. I read about a trick saying that if you color over permanent marker on glass with a dry erase marker, it easily erases it. I was surprised to find that it worked. (But maybe give it a try at your own risk.)

I drew the faces on the glasses first, then rolled the ghost and pumpkin glasses in frosting before adding sprinkles. Then, I poured in the milkshake. For the Frankenstein monster, I melted chocolate in a microwave, spooned it into a plastic bag, cut off the corner, and piped the chocolate along the top of the glass.

The main thing to think of when making milkshakes at home is the milk to ice cream ratio. If you can’t get the right ratio, you risk your shake being too runny, or too thick and difficult to drink. To keep things simple - try starting at 3 scoops of ice cream and 1/2 cup of milk. Once blended, if it looks too runny you can add a bit more ice cream, and if it’s too thick add another splash of milk. OP

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: ›› 3 scoops of ice cream ›› 1/2 cup milk ›› frosting (to decorate the rim of the glasses) ›› chocolate melts (to decorate the Frankenstein monster glass) ›› optional toppings and add-ins

INSTRUCTIONS: ›› Blend your ice cream and milk in a blender until pourable (adjust your ratio until you have created your perfect consistency) ›› Pour into a glass, add your toppings (check for more instructions about this to the left)

JAMIE ALEXANDER is nationally published culinary and commercial photographer working as a full-time staff photographer for Tanner Publishing. She has a knack for making tasty food and pretty art. See more of her portfolio at jaastudios.com.