Ingredients
Scale
For the Milkshake Base:
- 4 large scoops vanilla ice cream (about 2 cups)
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup butterscotch sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine sea salt
For Topping & Garnish:
- Whipped cream (generous amount)
- 2-3 tablespoons butterscotch sauce for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons butterscotch chips (optional)
- Pinch of flaky sea salt (optional, for finishing)
Instructions
- Prepare your glasses: Drizzle butterscotch sauce in a spiral pattern inside each serving glass, allowing it to create decorative streaks along the sides. This adds visual appeal and extra butterscotch flavor in every sip. Set glasses aside.
- Add base ingredients to blender: Place the vanilla ice cream, milk, butterscotch sauce, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt into your blender jar.
- Blend until smooth: Blend on high speed for 20-30 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. The mixture should be thick but pourable. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed, then blend again briefly.
- Taste and adjust: Give the milkshake a quick taste. Add more butterscotch sauce for stronger flavor, a touch more brown sugar for deeper sweetness, or another pinch of salt to enhance the butterscotch notes.
- Check consistency: The milkshake should be thick enough to hold a spoon upright but still flow when poured. Add a splash more milk if too thick, or another small scoop of ice cream if too thin.
- Pour into prepared glasses: Divide the milkshake evenly between your prepared glasses. Pour slowly to appreciate those beautiful butterscotch swirls along the sides.
- Add whipped cream: Top each milkshake with a generous swirl of whipped cream, building it up tall for maximum visual impact.
- Finish with toppings: Drizzle additional butterscotch sauce over the whipped cream in an artistic pattern. Sprinkle with butterscotch chips if using. Add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top for that irresistible sweet-salty contrast.
- Serve immediately: Insert a wide straw, add a long spoon, and serve right away while perfectly thick and cold. Provide extra napkins—this is deliciously indulgent!
Notes
- For the most intense butterscotch flavor, use a high-quality gourmet butterscotch sauce or make your own from scratch.
- The brown sugar is optional but highly recommended—it adds authentic depth that mimics traditional butterscotch candy.
- Don’t skip the salt! It’s the secret to making butterscotch flavor really pop.
- For a boozy adult version, add 1-2 oz of Scotch whisky, bourbon, or butterscotch schnapps.
- Make it dairy-free by using coconut milk ice cream and your preferred plant-based milk. Check that your butterscotch sauce is dairy-free.
- For an extra-thick shake, freeze your serving glasses and use ice cream straight from the freezer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Beverage
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 fl oz (1 large milkshake)
- Calories: 545
- Sugar: 72g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg