The problem with milkshakes is that they require ice cream, which requires keeping ice cream in the freezer, which requires willpower not to eat the ice cream before you need it for the milkshake. A dry pantry milkshake mix sidesteps the whole situation. You blend it with milk and ice, and you get a thick, creamy shake from a jar that’s been sitting on your shelf for months.
The trick is dry milk powder and instant pudding mix working together. The milk powder provides the dairy flavor and creaminess. The pudding mix adds body and thickness — and depending on the pudding flavor you use, it becomes the flavor of the shake. Vanilla pudding mix makes a vanilla shake. Chocolate pudding mix makes a chocolate shake. The base is the same; the pudding is what drives the identity.
How It Actually Works
Dry milk powder reconstitutes when it hits liquid — in this case milk and blended ice. The fat and protein in the powder create the creamy mouthfeel you’d get from ice cream, minus the churned fat structure. Instant pudding mix thickens the whole blend as it hydrates and contributes the flavor profile you’ve chosen. Powdered sugar adds sweetness and dissolves cleanly without leaving grit. A small amount of vanilla powder (or vanilla extract added at blend time) rounds the whole thing out.
The ratio of mix to liquid determines thickness. More mix, less milk — thicker shake. More milk, standard shake. Start at the recipe ratio and adjust to your preference from there.
Flavor Variations from One Base
Vanilla: use vanilla instant pudding mix and add a full teaspoon of vanilla powder to the jar. Chocolate: use chocolate instant pudding. Strawberry: vanilla pudding base plus freeze-dried strawberry powder. Cookies and cream: chocolate pudding base plus finely crushed Oreos added at blend time, not in the jar. Peanut butter: vanilla pudding base plus peanut butter powder in the jar, with a tablespoon of peanut butter blended in fresh. Caramel: butterscotch pudding mix instead of vanilla. Each variation uses the same dry base; only the pudding flavor and any add-ins change.
Blending It Right
The mix goes in the blender first, then the milk, then the ice. Blending dry mix with liquid first prevents clumping — the powders hydrate before the ice goes in. Use whole milk for the richest result; 2% works fine. The amount of ice determines how thick and cold the shake gets. Start with a cup and add more until you hit the thickness you want.
For something closer to a Frosty — thick enough to eat with a spoon — use less milk and more ice, and blend shorter rather than longer. The longer you blend, the more the ice incorporates and the thinner it gets.
Gifting
A jar of this mix with a recipe card tucked under the lid makes a practical, kid-friendly gift. Label it with the flavor (Vanilla Milkshake Mix, Chocolate Milkshake Mix) and include the simple instruction: blend with milk and ice. Pair it with a fun straw or a small bag of Oreos for a cookies-and-cream gift set. It’s one of those gifts that actually gets used the same week it’s received.
Storage
Sealed jar, cool dry pantry, up to 6 months. The dry milk powder is the ingredient that can absorb moisture and clump — store away from the stove where steam is present. If the jar feels lumpy, shake hard or break it up with a spoon; the flavor isn’t affected by clumping, only the texture of the dry mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make a milkshake without ice cream?
The key ingredients are dry milk powder and instant pudding mix — the milk powder provides the dairy creaminess, and the pudding mix adds body and thickness similar to ice cream. Blend the dry mix with whole milk and ice until smooth. The result is a thick, creamy shake that doesn’t require ice cream or a freezer. The pudding flavor you use determines the shake flavor.
What does instant pudding mix do in a milkshake?
Instant pudding mix thickens the shake as it hydrates in the liquid and contributes flavor. Without it, a blend of milk powder and milk would produce something closer to flavored milk than a thick milkshake. The pudding starch is what creates the body you associate with a proper shake. It also means the flavor of the shake can be changed by swapping pudding flavors — chocolate pudding for a chocolate shake, vanilla for vanilla, butterscotch for caramel.
Can I use this mix to make different milkshake flavors?
Yes — the base recipe is neutral and the pudding mix drives the flavor. Vanilla instant pudding makes a vanilla shake. Chocolate pudding makes a chocolate shake. Butterscotch pudding makes a caramel shake. You can also add freeze-dried fruit powder, peanut butter powder, or crushed cookies at blend time for additional flavor without changing the base jar mix.
How thick will this milkshake be?
It depends on the ratio of mix to milk and how much ice you add. Using the base recipe ratio produces a thick, drinkable shake. For a Frosty-style consistency that you eat with a spoon, reduce the milk by a few tablespoons and add more ice. Blend shorter rather than longer — the longer you blend, the more the ice incorporates and the thinner the result.
How long does milkshake mix last in a jar?
Up to 6 months in a sealed jar stored away from heat and moisture. The dry milk powder is the ingredient most susceptible to humidity — it can clump if exposed to steam or ambient moisture. Store away from the stove. If the jar feels lumpy, shake it hard or break up the clumps with a spoon; the flavor is unaffected, only the texture of the dry powder.
Base Milkshake Mix (No Ice Cream Required)
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry milk powder
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup instant vanilla pudding mix for thickness and creaminess
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 6 months in a cool, dry place.
- To Make a Vanilla Milkshake:
- 1/3 cup Vanilla Milkshake Mix
- 1 cup cold water or milk (for extra creaminess, use whole milk)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Directions:
- Blend the dry mix, liquid, and ice in a blender until smooth. Approximately 2 minutes.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Notes
Ingredients: 1 cup dry milk powder
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup instant chocolate pudding mix
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon salt
To Make a Shake: Blend 1/3 cup mix, 1 cup milk or water, and 1 cup ice. Add chocolate syrup for extra richness! 2. Strawberry Milkshake Mix 🍓
Ingredients: 1 cup dry milk powder
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup instant strawberry pudding mix
2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberry powder (blend freeze-dried strawberries into powder)
¼ teaspoon salt
To Make a Shake: Blend 1/3 cup mix, 1 cup milk or water, and 1 cup ice. Add fresh strawberries for a fruity boost! 3. Cookies & Cream Milkshake Mix 🍪
Ingredients: 1 cup dry milk powder
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup instant vanilla pudding mix
½ cup finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreo-type)
¼ teaspoon salt
To Make a Shake: Blend 1/3 cup mix, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup ice. Add extra crushed cookies on top for a fun crunch! 4. Caramel Latte Milkshake Mix ☕🍮
Ingredients: 1 cup dry milk powder
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup instant vanilla pudding mix
2 tablespoons instant coffee or espresso powder
1 tablespoon caramel powder (or use caramel syrup when blending)
¼ teaspoon salt
To Make a Shake: Blend 1/3 cup mix, 1 cup milk, 1 cup ice, and drizzle extra caramel sauce for indulgence! 5. Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake Mix 🥜🍫
Ingredients: 1 cup dry milk powder
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup instant chocolate pudding mix
¼ cup peanut butter powder (PB2 or similar)
¼ teaspoon salt
To Make a Shake: Blend 1/3 cup mix, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup ice. Add a spoonful of peanut butter for extra richness! 6. Banana Cream Milkshake Mix 🍌
Ingredients: 1 cup dry milk powder
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ cup instant banana pudding mix
2 tablespoons freeze-dried banana powder (blend freeze-dried bananas into powder)
¼ teaspoon salt
To Make a Shake: Blend 1/3 cup mix, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup ice. Toss in a fresh banana for more flavor!
Leave a Reply