Pumpkin Milkshake

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Pumpkin Milkshake is the best combo of summer and fall. Creamy cool ice cream exploding with pumpkin and spice, and everything nice!! Making one of these outrageously delicious pumpkin desserts couldn’t be easier – you just need a blender, 4 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of time!

pumpkin shake.


 

By the time September rolls around, I am so over the summer heat and ready for all of my favorite fall recipes!

If you’re like me and just can’t wait for it to cool down enough for a warm treat like pumpkin rice pudding, this shake is calling your name!

ingredients for pumpkin milkshake

Pumpkin Milkshake

Sweet vanilla ice cream mixed with creamy pumpkin puree in a sippable shake… Just what you need to end your summer!

And with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in the mix, there’s just the right amount of seasonal spice to really get you in the mood for the fall!

It’s like frozen pumpkin pie in a glass!

And while I think desserts like this are a nice treat in moderation, I also have a guilt-free, low calorie pumpkin pie shake recipe!

ice cream and spices in blender.

Ingredients Notes and Substitutions

  • Milk – Make sure the milk is chilled! Whole milk will give you the creamiest consistency, but any type of dairy milk or milk substitute is fine to use.

    For a thicker pumpkin shake, use a little less milk.
  • Pumpkin Puree – If pumpkins are still in season, try making your own puree!

    All you need to do is remove the seeds from a pie pumpkin (those itty bitty ones), roast the flesh in the oven, and puree the insides in a blender.

    It’s simple and scrumptious!!
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice – Make your own with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg, ½ teaspoon of ginger, and ½ teaspoon of cloves.

    Sure, you can use the premixed blend, but the flavor is so much better when it’s freshly made.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream – I find it helpful to let the ice cream get a little melty at room temperature or in the fridge before blending.
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs and Whipped Cream – The topping is almost as irresistible as the pumpkin milkshake it’s garnishing!

    If you’re feeling particularly seasonal, use crushed ginger snaps instead of graham crackers.
blended pumpkin milkshake.

Pumpkin Shake Recipe Tips

  • Want It Extra Creamy?  Swap out the milk with half and half or heavy cream for a rich, thick pumpkin pie milkshake.

    You can also add a banana – and then it’s basically breakfast.
  • Like an Icier Shake?  If you’re a fan of icier milkshakes (I know there are a couple of you out there!) then freeze the pumpkin puree in an ice tray before blending.

    You can do the same with the milk.
  • Extra Flavors to Try – We already know that chocolate and pumpkin is a dreamy combination – replace the vanilla ice cream with chocolate for an even more indulgent dessert.

    Another great trick: do you have French vanilla, hazelnut, or another tasty coffee creamer? Use that instead of milk! 
pouring pumpkin milkshake in glass.

Storing and Serving

So this isn’t really a recipe you want to store for later — after all, it melts! And freezing is no good, either.

The texture gets strange if you keep it in the freezer longer than just a couple of hours. 


Keep the pumpkin milkshake in the fridge for up to an hour if you’re not going to serve it right away.

Be sure to give it a good stir to get all of the settled spices mixed in there! And wait to add the garnishes until just before serving.

Pumpkin Milkshake FAQ

What does pumpkin taste good with?

Pumpkin goes well with so many other flavors! For sweet treats, chocolate, maple, and honey are some obvious choices. But most fruits pair really well, too! Seasonally, try apples, blueberries, or cranberries.

All of your warm, earthy spices are a safe bet: nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, etc. 

Can you freeze pumpkin puree for smoothies?

You absolutely can! To make frozen puree easier to blend, I recommend placing it in an ice tray to pop out and plop right in the blender. 

Can I make a milkshake without ice cream?

Certainly! It will be considerably thinner and much less sweet, so compensate with a bit of brown sugar until it’s as sweet as you’d like it.

Some good ice cream alternatives are either regular or frozen yogurt.

top view of pumpkin milkshake in glass.

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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glass of pumpkin milkshake.

Other Easy Shake Recipes

pumpkin pie milkshake closeup.

Pumpkin Milkshake

Donna Elick
Pumpkin Milkshake is the best pumpkin dessert recipe for a cozy fall treat. With real pumpkin, ice cream and pie spice, it is oh, so nice!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert, Drink
Cuisine American
Method Blender
Servings 2 (16 ounce glasses)

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup milk, cold
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 cups vanilla ice cream

Optional Garnishes

Instructions
 

  • Add the milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla ice cream (in that order) to a blender.
  • Blend on high or set on the puree setting for 30 seconds, or until combined and well-blended. *If the ice cream stops blending, stop the blender and stir the mixture with a spoon or spatula, then start the blender up again.
  • Divide the milkshake between two chilled 16-ounce glasses. If desired, top with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs.

Donna’s Notes

Feel free to add more pumpkin puree to the mix if you’d like more pumpkin flavor, but I feel that 1/2 a cup is just right.
This is a customizable recipe! Taste as you go and add more or less of the spice, pumpkin puree, and/or milk to get the right combination for your taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 693cal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 328mg | Sugar: 66g | Fiber: 4g | Calcium: 532mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
pumpkin milkshake.

Originally Published October 2011, updated and republished September 2022

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8 Comments

  1. Two is a fun age for trick or treating. We were laughing last night about a funny story about my daughter dressed in her carebear outfit. My other daughter wanted to go into everyone's house when she was trick or treating….sooo cute. I'm sure you will have some laughs tonight with Em.

    This milkshake sounds awesome…I love frozen pumpkin anything and the fact that this is on the lighter side is a huge plus!

  2. I will be trying this for sure! I just might add a little protein powder and some extra sustenance and call it lunch!

  3. Happy Halloween- WOW! Pumpkin in a milkshake- how much better could one's day get after having this! My 2 yr old is going trick or treating tonight dressed as a fireman- we are still obsessed with firetrucks! Here is to a fun and interesting and hopefully not to eventful night!

  4. 5 stars
    This is amazing. I’m a pumpkin spice latte girl, but let’s be honest a milkshake is so much better. This was the perfect treat for a hot day.

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