Here's how to make a thick milkshake from scratch at home like the "Frosty" kind at fast-food restaurants. Give this rich, dark chocolate shake a try and see how simple it is!
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I've been downsizing a lot of my sweet recipes. I just don't think it's healthy to be eating a lot of sweets, even if they are low-carb. It's better to only have a small sweet each day as needed or reserve them for special occasions.
Last weekend, I was in the mood for chocolate ice cream. I looked to my creamy chocolate frosty recipe which is an easy single-serving recipe. So, it worked out perfectly! It was enough to get rid of the craving but not so much to have leftovers and be tempted.
In this post, I'll show you how to make a thick and creamy milkshake like the "Frosty" at home.
✨ Recipe inspiration
My original recipe is modified slightly for this delicious milkshake. I chose to use dark cocoa because I prefer it over regular, and I replaced almond milk with canned coconut milk as well.
Another thing I changed was to cut the serving size in half. The carbs in the original recipe are a lot more than I wanted just to satisfy my craving for chocolate ice cream.
A great thing about this recipe is that you don't need to use chocolate ice cream or vanilla ice cream as a base. An ice cream maker isn't needed either! The only kitchen appliance needed is a stand or hand mixer - if you don't count the freezer.
Ingredients
All of the exact ingredient amounts to make the thick chocolate milkshake are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. First, here is some additional information about what I used.
Heavy Whipping Cream
The heavy whipping cream is what gives the milkshake a light and airy texture. You need this to balance out the thick texture of coconut milk.
Coconut Milk
Use canned coconut milk, not the kind you can buy in a carton in the refrigerated section. The canned coconut milk is thick and will make your milkshake have that "Frosty" consistency.
It won't taste like coconut, either!
When you use dark cocoa powder and sweeteners, it will actually taste like a milkshake.
Dark Cocoa Powder
The dark cocoa powder will give it a rich taste that matches the thick consistency. It also covers up the taste of the coconut milk effectively.
Always use sugar-free cocoa powder (most baking powders are sugar-free, but it's best to check).
Sugar Substitute
Any kind of sugar-free sweetener will do fine in this milkshake. I like liquid Monk Fruit extract because it dissolves so well in the drink.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Quick tips & variations
- If you don't like dark chocolate, just swap it out for your favorite kind. Milk chocolate or regular cocoa powder will work too.
- Add some sugar-free whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top for a little fun! Keto-friendly chocolate chips and low-carb hot fudge are great milkshake toppings too.
- If you don't want it to be too thick, just take it out of the freezer earlier. You'll get a thicker milkshake the longer it stays in the freezer.
- Use a stand mixer or a hand-held electric mixer. You could mix this by hand, but it will take so much longer. I love my stand mixer and use it all the time!
Instructions
Scroll down to the printable recipe card to read all the exact steps. Here are some additional tips and step-by-step photos for the thick and creamy milkshake.
Whip The Cream
First, place the heavy whipping cream in your stand mixer's bowl and then start whipping it until soft peaks form.
Soft peaks are when you lift the whisk out of the bowl and you see a peak that stays up for a little while but isn't really firm or stiff.
Mix In The Rest Of The Ingredients
After you see soft peaks, add the rest of your ingredients to the bowl. Keep mixing everything until stiffer peaks begin to form.
The stiff peaks will retain their shape even after you lift the mixer out of the bowl.
Store It In The Freezer
Scoop the chocolate whipped cream into a freezer-safe bowl and store it in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Then, take it out and stir it.
Check on it every 20 minutes until it has the consistency you like.
That's it!
️ Serving suggestions
This sugar free milkshake is a really sweet dessert, so I like to pair it with something salty. To get that "fries and Frosty" experience, make some green bean fries and munch on them with this milkshake.
Other low-carb salty snacks that taste delicious with this chocolate drink are pepperoni chips or radish chips.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about this thick and creamy milkshake.
How many carbs are in this milkshake?
This recipe doesn't make much. Many people will want to eat the entire amount as one serving and that's perfectly okay. However, the total carb count will be close to 19 grams. If you subtract fiber, it gets down to about 5 grams of net carbs.
I chose to only eat half of the recipe and save the other half for later.
How do you store a thick milkshake in the freezer?
If you don't eat it right away, it will get rock hard in the freezer. So, if the milkshake is completely frozen, let it sit out at room temperature before eating.
Store it in an airtight container in the freezer. It will stay fresh for up to 6 months.
Can you drink this milkshake with a straw?
Although you can sip this with a straw, it's really thick and I prefer eating it with a spoon. Even the regular fast food shakes that I used to have were eaten with a spoon rather than a straw.
What keto-friendly toppings can I mix into the milkshake?
This is the fun part - add all of your favorite sugar-free toppings! I like to top it with a little sugar-free whipped cream. Then, sprinkle some cinnamon on top.
You could also add sugar-free sprinkles or your favorite sugar-free chocolate chips.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this low-carb frozen dessert. Whenever I am craving fast-food ice cream, I just make this instead. It still hits the spot and is perfect for when I really want chocolate.
Related recipes
If you enjoyed this keto-friendly milkshake recipe, here are some more low-carb desserts you should try next.
- Keto Vanilla Ice Cream is a basic recipe that everyone should have on hand, especially in the summertime.
- Strawberry Sugar-Free Popsicles are perfect for kids and adults and are so refreshing on a hot day.
- Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream is a dairy-free alternative to regular ice cream.
- Sugar-Free Fudge Pops are luxurious and taste like your favorite chocolate treat.
- Keto Butter Pecan Ice Cream is so rich and has real pecans mixed in. And, it only has 1.7g net carbs in each serving.
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Dark Chocolate Thick Milkshake
Video
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 5 tablespoons canned coconut milk
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons low carb sugar substitute or other sugar substitute
Instructions
- Start whipping cream with mixer until soft peaks form.
- Slowly add remaining ingredients.
- Continue beating until stiffer peaks form.
- Put mixture in freezer.
- After 20 minutes, remove from freezer and stir with fork to break up frozen areas around edges.
- Keep checking mix every 20 minutes and stir until it’s reached the right consistency.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on February 10, 2016. Last updated on May 13, 2021, with higher resolution images and additional recipe information.
RayRay Risin
I have two incredibly dumb questions.
1. Can I use rice milk instead of almond or coconut milk?
2. Is there a dairy free option I can use instead of heavy whipping cream?
I only ask because rice milk is the only milk alternative I can stomach, and I just can't use milk/cream for anything unless I want to get really sick. Which, obviously, I really, REALLY don't want.
Lisa
Rice milk is fine. You could use coconut cream instead of the regular whipping cream.
Michelle Munoz
Oh my Lord! Im seriously dying over your wood counter!! Is it an island? All the details are truly appreciated!! ? I'm dying to have a counter like that! The recipe looks delicious & I will be trying it but I couldn't get over your counter. ? Thanks!
Lisa
It's just a wooden backboard. I do love the look of a wood counter, though.
bitter fruit
Being a "veteran" of the kitchen, autoplay food videos really annoy me; I'm one of those, "Just get me to the recipe" kind of folks. But, I can see how newbies might like or need them.
Lisa
I'm not a fan of video either, but some people do like to see the process.
Sandy Munn
Loved the video. It encourages me to try the recipe!
Lisa
Thanks Sandy!
Jodi
Wow! This is REALLY yummy! Do you think if you used coffee extract instead of vanilla it would taste like a mocha shake?
Lisa
For mocha, I'd use regular cocoa instead of dark and add either a syrup or instant coffee/espresso powder.
Annie
It's kind of like chocolate frozen yogurt if you let it get firmer. I found the first few bites to be kind of nasty because of the fake sugar taste - it was like eating bitter coco powder and chemicals - but after a while the tongue adjusts and it tasted like dark chocolate soft serve fro-yo. A great substitute since I can't have a lot of sugar anymore.
Lisa
Interesting description. You do get used to these types of treats and then real sugar tastes bad ?
Liz
That looks delicious. I will be giving it a try as soon as I find some sugar free vanilla. I really appreciate the video too! Can you use unsweetened almond milk instead of canned coconut milk?
Lisa
The original recipe used unsweetened almond milk. It works well.
Laura
What kind of vanilla r u looking at? I don’t know of any vanilla that has sugar. Vanilla is made from vodka (or similar alcohol) and vanilla beans. No sugar. ????
Lisa MarcAurele
For example, McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract contains vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol (35%), and corn syrup. Not sure why corn syrup is added, but it's not low-carb friendly.
Mary
This video being shared on facebook is what brought me to your blog. I am not always looking for a video when reading blogs, but a few videos of your most awesome recipes circulating through social media is a great way to bring in new followers. I'm looking forward to trying this tonight. Have been looking for a suitable replacement for ice cream for awhile. Do not always want to break out the ice cream maker.
Lisa
Hi Mary! Thanks for letting me know that the video helped you find me. I've been hoping to make more, but time isn't always available as I have a full time job outside of blogging. But, I do want to make more videos as I think it helps to see how a recipe is made.
Mary
No prob! Now that I know you exist I'm following you on facebook for other great ideas. The frosty turned out delicious! It was a great, easy Saturday night snack for my husband and I to share. I have a feeling we'll be whipping it up pretty regularly.
Jaime
YUM-MY I love video recipes because it gives me a better idea when someone says "soft peaks" sometimes it means something different to another person. If I wasn't at work right now, I would so make this, thanks for sharing it!
Lisa
I'm so glad the video helped. Sometimes it's hard to write steps that are clear to all! I think this recipe is calling my name again. I've got all the ingredients at home.