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This single serving strawberry milkshake blends strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and milk into a thick, creamy drink you can make in 5 minutes.
Featured Comment
“A great treat. I have also substituted frozen peaches for strawberries and it was wonderful.”
– Bridget
Quick Look
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: None (no-cook)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Equipment: Blender
- Method: Blending
- Servings: 1 milkshake (about 16 ounces)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and creamy with bright fresh strawberry flavor and a hint of vanilla.
It’s an easy strawberry shake for one, made with fresh strawberries in summer or frozen berries any time of year.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Milkshake Recipe
I started making this strawberry milkshake for my daughter on warm afternoons, right when she got home from school. She’d ask for one before she even dropped her bag, and I could have it blended before she sat down.
What makes it work is the vanilla ice cream plus a splash of heavy cream. We use both because the ice cream brings the cold and the cream gives it that thick, slow-pour texture you get at an old diner counter.
Fresh strawberries blend up smooth and sweet, and frozen ones make it even thicker if that’s what you have on hand.
Pour it into a chilled glass and add a little whipped cream on top. That first sip is cold and creamy, and the real strawberry flavor is right there. That’s the whole reason to make one.
Got berries left over? Use them in a strawberry shortcake for one, a single serve strawberry icebox cake, or small batch strawberry ice cream.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the strawberry milkshake ingredients you’ll need, with notes on what each one does. Got extras to use up? Our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder will point you to recipes that use them.
Strawberries: Strawberries are the star of the shake. Fresh berries blend up smooth and sweet, while frozen ones make it thicker and colder, so add a splash more milk if you reach for frozen. Got extra berries? Use them in small batch strawberry scones or a strawberry crisp for one.
Vanilla ice cream: Vanilla ice cream is the cold, creamy base. Let it soften for a few minutes so it blends easily, but don’t let it melt. For a lighter shake, swap in frozen yogurt, or make your own vanilla ice cream for one.
Milk: Milk thins the shake to a drinkable consistency. Any kind works, whether that’s whole, 2%, almond, oat, or soy. Add a little more if you want it thinner.
Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds richness and helps thicken the shake. You can leave it out and use 1 cup of milk total, though it won’t be quite as creamy. Use leftover cream in small batch caramel or a single serving chocolate cake.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is optional. A small amount rounds out the strawberry and brings the vanilla flavor forward.
Optional toppings: Finish with homemade whipped cream and a few sprinkles if you’d like.
Recipe Variations
Try these simple swaps to customize your strawberry milkshake, including a thick version made without ice cream.
Strawberry milkshake without ice cream: Skip the ice cream and blend 1 cup heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk with 1½ cups frozen strawberries, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey. Add the honey to taste, since how much you need depends on how sweet your strawberries are. The frozen berries keep it thick and cold. Add a scoop of protein powder if you’d like.
Lighter strawberry shake: Swap the ice cream for vanilla yogurt. It won’t be as cold, but you get a thinner, almost-smoothie drink that’s lighter.
Dairy-free or vegan strawberry milkshake: Use a non-dairy vanilla ice cream and plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy. Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream to keep it rich.
Strawberry banana milkshake: Add 1 small banana for extra sweetness and a thicker texture.
How To Make A Strawberry Milkshake For One
Here’s how to make a homemade strawberry milkshake. For exact amounts, see the recipe card below.
- Hull and slice the strawberries, then add them to the blender.
- Let the ice cream soften for a few minutes, then add it to the blender with the milk, heavy cream, and vanilla.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. Add a splash more milk if it’s too thick to blend.
- Pour into a chilled glass and top with whipped cream, if you’d like.
Expert Tips
Use ice cream you’d eat on its own. The ice cream carries most of the flavor, so a vanilla you actually like makes a better shake than a bargain brand.
Soften the ice cream, but don’t let it melt. A few minutes on the counter helps it blend smooth. If it melts all the way, the shake turns out thin and watery.
Skip the ice. Ice cubes water the shake down as they melt. The ice cream and cold strawberries make it cold enough, so leave the ice out.
Use a strong blender for frozen berries. Frozen strawberries are hard on a weak blender. A high-powered one blends them smooth without leaving chunks.
Troubleshooting
If your strawberry milkshake isn’t turning out quite right, here’s how to fix common issues like a shake that’s too thin, too thick to blend, or short on strawberry flavor.
Why is my strawberry milkshake too thin?
A thin milkshake usually has too much milk, or the ice cream melted before it went in the blender. Add more ice cream or a handful of frozen strawberries and blend again. Next time, soften the ice cream just slightly instead of letting it melt, and start with less milk.
Why is my strawberry milkshake too thick to blend?
A too-thick milkshake needs more liquid to get moving. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until the blender catches and the shake turns smooth. A lot of ice cream plus frozen strawberries is the usual cause.
How do I get my milkshake to taste more like strawberry?
Use ripe, in-season strawberries and add more of them. You can also swap in strawberry ice cream or blend in a spoonful of strawberry jam. Frozen berries picked at peak ripeness often taste better than out-of-season fresh ones.
Why isn’t my milkshake smooth?
Strawberry chunks mean the berries haven’t fully blended. Blend longer in short bursts until no pieces remain, and use a strong blender if you’re working with frozen berries. For a seedless shake, pour it through a fine mesh sieve.
Why does my milkshake melt so fast?
A warm glass and over-blending make a milkshake melt quickly. Chill the glass in the freezer first and blend just until smooth. Frozen strawberries also help it stay cold longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Blend 1 cup of heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk with 1½ cups of frozen strawberries, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey. Sweeten with more or less honey depending on how sweet your strawberries are. The frozen berries keep it thick and cold without any ice cream.
Use about 1 cup of ice cream to 1 cup of liquid. For this shake that’s 1 cup vanilla ice cream, ¾ cup milk, and ¼ cup heavy cream. More ice cream makes it thicker, more milk makes it thinner.
Yes. Double every ingredient to make two. Use a larger blender so there’s room for everything to move.
No, but a blender makes it easiest. You can also use an immersion blender in a tall cup or jar. Softened ice cream blends more easily if your blender isn’t powerful.
About 16 ounces, or one large milkshake. Drink it all yourself or split it between two small glasses.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you make this single serving strawberry milkshake, I’d love to know how it turned out. Leave a star rating and a comment below, and if you snap a photo, tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) so we can see.
Strawberry Milkshake For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries (8-ounces)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- whipped cream
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Add the ice cream, milk, heavy cream, strawberries, and vanilla to a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds, adding a splash more milk if it's too thick to blend.
- Pour into a chilled glass and top with whipped cream and sprinkles, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
If you use frozen berries would you even need the ice cream? Hmmmm?
If you’re looking for a milkshake that’s extra rich and creamy, yes.
A great treat. I have also substituted frozen peaches for strawberries and it was wonderful.
Looks delicious. Why did I let myself look at the calories!
Hi Laurel, you can shave off a few calories by eliminating the heavy cream and using a lower fat milk. The milkshake won’t be as thick and rich but will still be absolutely delicious.