There’s something magically festive about this creamy, cool treat – rich vanilla, crunchy peppermint, and chocolate all coming together! The Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season or just enjoy a sweet treat that feels like a hug in a glass.

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

What makes this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe stand out is its perfect balance of flavors and textures. I love how the crunchy bits of candy cane and chocolate add that satisfying snap against the smooth milkshake base. Plus, it comes together super quickly!

Easy to make: Just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand, blended in minutes.
Festive and fun: Peppermint bark tastes like holiday joy in a glass, but you can enjoy it any time of year.
Customizable texture: Whether you like it super smooth or with more crunchy candy bits, you control the blend.
Perfect for sharing: Makes two generous shakes, great for a cozy night in or impressing guests.

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 in the Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe plays a delicious role, creating a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet, and refreshing. When shopping, choosing quality peppermint candy and good vanilla ice cream really makes a difference in the final flavor and texture.

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: The creamy base of this shake. I recommend a rich, full-fat vanilla ice cream for the best flavor and smooth texture.
Milk: Adds just enough liquid to make blending easier and milkshake drinkable. You can tweak the amount depending on how thick or thin you want your shake.
Candy canes: Crushed for that iconic peppermint crunch. I like using bold, natural peppermint flavor rather than artificial for a fresher taste.
Mini semisweet chocolate chips: These add tiny bursts of chocolate throughout the shake — so good! Mini chips spread better than big chunks.
Whipped cream: For the decadent topping, light, fluffy, and melts in your mouth.
Chocolate sprinkles: An optional finishing touch for extra color and flavor that looks so festive.

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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

I love tweaking this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have in my pantry. You can totally make it your own by switching up the chocolate or adding a little something extra to boost the festive feel.

Variation: One winter, I stirred in a splash of peppermint schnapps for an adult twist—it was a total hit at holiday parties.
Dairy alternatives: Swap milk and ice cream for coconut or almond milk and dairy-free ice cream to suit vegan or lactose-free diets.
Extra chocolatey: Blend in a spoonful of cocoa powder or drizzle melted chocolate inside the glass for a chocolate swirl effect.
Texture preferences: Pulse candy canes only briefly if you want bigger chunks; blend longer for finer peppermint texture.

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

Step 1: Blend the Creamy Base

Start by scooping your vanilla ice cream into the blender, then pour in the milk. Blend on high for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Keep an eye on your texture—if it’s too thick to drink easily, just add a little more milk and blend again. This step is where the shake gets that dreamy creaminess you’re after.

Step 2: Add Candy Cane and Chocolate Crunch

Throw in the crushed candy canes and mini chocolate chips. Instead of blending constantly, pulse the blender 10 to 15 times in short bursts. You want the candy canes to mix evenly without disappearing entirely. This way, you get those little peppermint shards and chocolate bites folded throughout your shake—so satisfying.

Step 3: Serve With Style

Pour your milkshake into pretty glasses, then crown each with a generous swirl of whipped cream. I love sprinkling some crushed candy cane or chocolate sprinkles on top for that festive look. A small whole candy cane on the rim makes it feel extra special and perfect for sharing.

Top Tip

From countless homemade milkshakes, I’ve picked up a few tricks that can really elevate your Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe. These helped me avoid the frustrating bits and ensure every sip is just right.

Don’t overblend candy: I used to blend the candy canes too long and lost all the texture—pulsing is the key to that perfect peppermint crunch.
Use room temp ice cream briefly: Let your ice cream soften just a bit so it blends smoothly without needing too much milk, keeping the shake thick.
Chill your glasses: Cold glasses keep the shake cold longer, so I pop them in the freezer while blending.
Freshly crushed candy canes: Crushing yourself makes a big difference—you get bigger shards and fresh peppermint flavor over pre-packaged peppermint bits.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe

Peppermint Bark Milkshake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually go for a swirl of fluffy whipped cream, topped with a sprinkle of crushed candy cane and mini chocolate chips. Sometimes I add a little grated dark chocolate or colorful chocolate sprinkles to make it even more festive. The candy cane hook on the glass not only looks cute but adds an extra nibble of peppermint.

Side Dishes

This milkshake pairs wonderfully with simple treats like chocolate-dipped pretzels or ginger snap cookies. For a cozy night, I love serving it alongside warm brownies or even a slice of peppermint bark bark itself—yes, even more peppermint delights!

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special parties, I’ve served the Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe in clear mason jars tied with festive ribbons. Adding a candy cane striped straw makes it instantly Instagram-worthy. I’ve also poured the shake into chocolate-rimmed glasses for an extra indulgent touch that guests rave about every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I don’t usually keep milkshake leftovers because they’re best fresh, but if you do have some, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Give it a good stir before drinking again since the candy bits can settle or the shake thickens a bit.

Freezing

If you want to freeze a batch, I recommend freezing the base mixture before adding the candy canes and chocolate chips. Freeze in a container for a few hours, then you can blend with crushed candy freshly when ready to serve for the best texture.

Reheating

This shake is meant to be enjoyed cold, so reheating isn’t ideal. Instead, I’d suggest blending again with a little cold milk to refresh the texture rather than warming it up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap out the milk and vanilla ice cream for plant-based alternatives like almond milk and coconut or soy-based ice cream. Just make sure your candy canes and chocolate chips are vegan-friendly.

How do I get the peppermint pieces evenly distributed without them dissolving?

The trick is to pulse the candy canes and chocolate chips into the milkshake rather than blend continuously. Short bursts keep the pieces broken up but still crunchy, giving you that classic peppermint bark texture.

Can I make this milkshake ahead of time for a party?

You can prepare the milkshake base (vanilla ice cream and milk) ahead and keep it chilled. Add in the crushed candy canes and chocolate chips right before serving to keep the texture fresh and crunchy.

What’s the best way to garnish the Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe?

A generous swirl of whipped cream topped with crushed candy cane pieces and chocolate sprinkles is classic and delicious. Adding a candy cane on the rim adds charm and a little extra peppermint flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Bark Milkshake Recipe is one of those cozy, crowd-pleasing treats that never fail to brighten a day or add that special holiday sparkle. I love sharing it with friends and family because it’s simple, fast, and just so darn delicious. Next time you want a festive dessert that’s a little nostalgic and wholly indulgent, give this your go-to recipe—you’ll thank me later!