Pumpkin Pie Milkshake Recipe

Pumpkin pie is one of those quintessential fall desserts that graces practically every table on Thanksgiving, but is sometimes scarce throughout the rest of the year. And while your taste buds may not scream, "Give me pumpkin pie!" in the middle of the summer, there's no reason not to enjoy this yummy treat throughout the year. And if you're looking for a way to enjoy the dessert in a slightly different package, then it's time to try your hand at making this pumpkin pie milkshake recipe developed by Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge. 

"This recipe is so good," Olayinka exclaims. "The pumpkin pie just brings it to the next level — the buttery crust you can really, really taste, and the pumpkin taste is amazing." Plus, if you prefer your pumpkin pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, you're essentially just turning the dish on its head — you still get to enjoy a slice of pie and vanilla ice cream, but with the novelty of sipping it through a straw.

The ingredients for your pumpkin pie milkshake are fairly straightforward. Simply grab a slice of pie (yes, actual pie!), 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of vanilla ice cream (Any kind will do, but vanilla bean is particularly refreshing.), 2 teaspoons of honey, and ½ teaspoon of pumpkin spice powder. In total your ingredients will make two milkshake servings, so adjust the ingredient amounts up or down based on how many milkshakes you plan to serve.

All you have to do to make your milkshakes is to add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender. If you're wondering whether you should be using homemade or store-bought pie, Olayinka says it's totally up to you. "I actually home-made my pumpkin pie, but readers are free to buy it, and a gluten-free version should be great, too." And while the recipe calls for "a slice" of pie, the size of the slice is up to you. One that's two to three inches wide at the crust is a good size, but make adjustments based on your flavor preference. A slightly larger slice will deliver a more potent, authentic pumpkin pie flavor.

With all of the ingredients added to the blender, simply blend on high speed for 10 seconds, or until sufficiently smooth and creamy. One thing to keep in mind is that if you don't have any actual pie on hand, you can still whip up a milkshake worthy of the title. Olayinka says you could simply sub in pumpkin pie filling, then to get the buttery flavor for the "crust," try adding a tablespoon or two of cashew or almond butter. Of course, you may want to add a touch more honey, too, if you lose a touch of the sweetness you'd get with a real slice of pie.

When the milkshake is nice and smooth, simply pour it evenly into two separate glasses, and if desired, top with a spray of whipped cream. Of course, you can also get creative with how you choose to serve it. For instance, you could garnish the whipped cream with a dash of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or cinnamon, or even crumbles of pumpkin pie crust. Or, if you're the type who likes your pumpkin pie with a drizzle of chocolate, you could try a dash of cocoa powder or throw a couple chocolate chips on top. Once you've tried this milkshake, you'll want to try it again and again.