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Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake

March 8, 2018
Shanika | Orchids + Sweet Tea
This Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake is perfectly sweet with bold peanut butter and toasted pecan flavors that will satisfy that sweet tooth for the entire family!

Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake

This Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake is a real recipe gem. Full of peanut buttery + pecan creaminess, velvety, thick, ultra smooth, rich, and is a sure sweet tooth satisfier for the entire family; this milkshake recipe is the best way to add a nice sweet kick to your day with added nutrients. Kid-and adult-approved. Completely dairy-free and vegan.

Two milkshakes in a glasses on a white table with rainbow sprinkles and pecans.

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There's just something entirely nostalgic about a milkshake, especially when it's poured into a classic milkshake glass and topped with fun ingredients for the best sip! This Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake is ridiculously good and although it's not made with cookies or any of the really fun ingredients, it's still very decadent and the flavor combo of pecans and peanut butter are perfection.

I haven't consumed that many milkshakes in my lifetime (mostly because they're often full of dairy), BUT this milkshake is a game-changer, especially if you're looking for a dairy-free way to enjoy a dessert in a glass. You'll love these dairy-free milkshakes, which all offer different levels of decadence: Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Milkshake, Dairy-Free Salted Caramel Chunky Milkshake, Dairy-Free Cookie Dough Milkshake, and Classic Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake.

Plus, milkshakes like this one are super easy to make and only require a few thing: a good blender (I'm obsessed with the Beast Health blender), chopped pecans, vanilla, cinnamon, plant-based milk, dairy-free ice cream, and peanut butter. When it comes to a vegan option for ice cream, you can always find great flavor options similar to the ones used in this recipe by brands like So Delicious Dairy-Free and Van Leeuwen

Tips for Making the Best Vegan Milkshake:

  • To make your vegan milkshake creamier, you can add in full-fat coconut milk (refrigerated overnight) or cream instead of plant-based milk.
  • If your milkshake is too thick, add additional milk to make it more thin. If too, thin, a few additional scoops of ice cream should help.
  • Using a premium dairy-free ice cream is so important for the best results! You shouldn't go for ones that say "frozen dessert", since they're made with vegetable oils and won't create the best creamy factor.
  • Never add ice to your milkshake like you would a smoothie. Ice will only water down your milkshake. Instead, try freezing your glass(es) before making your milkshake so that it remains chilled for a longer period of time.
Ingredients on a white table including ice cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, pecans, peanut butter, and sprinkles.

How to Make a Milkshake at Home

While milkshakes seem fancy when they're from a creamery, they are so easy to make yourself. All you need is a high-powered blender and some of your favorite ingredients.

All milkshakes begin with ice cream. You can make the ice cream yourself or use your favorite store-bought variety. Make sure to use a type of ice cream that you really enjoy, as it is the base for the milkshake. Check out my no-churn vanilla ice cream recipe if you aren't restricted to dairy-free.

Next, you'll need to decide on flavorings. If you want additional elements, add them here. You can add chocolate, vanilla extract, fruit, candy, flavored syrups, or anything else you enjoy---depending on the recipe. Of course, for this one, you'll be adding pecans or pecan butter, peanut butter, vanilla, and a bit of cinnamon.

Ingredients for Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake

The ingredients for this creamy, decadent Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake are simple and easy to find. Here’s what you need:

  • Vanilla-based ice cream. I love premium dairy-free ice cream like Ben & Jerry's, Van Leeuwen’s or So Delicious Dairy-Free.
  • Milk. You can totally use your fave plant-based milk. Choose unsweetened. I recommend making easy homemade almond milk (my recipe doesn’t require soaking!)
  • Vanilla extract. Use a dash of pure vanilla to optimize the flavor.
  • Cinnamon. For a dose of warmth that works great with the pecan and peanut butter flavors.
  • Pecans. Use pre-chopped to skip a step or chop halved pecans. They are more pronounced in flavor once toasted, so it's recommended. Also, you can substitute with pecan butter if desired. I love organic and/or raw pecan butter like this one from Purely Pecans and Artisana
  • Whipped cream. For a nice smoothness after every sip, I like to top with coconut whipped cream. Make your own or use a store-bought version.
  • Peanut butter. Use organic, smooth peanut butter for this milkshake. This also works as a vegan option.
Milkshake in a black blender with a bowl of chopped pecans.

How to Make This Milkshake without a Blender

If for any reason you aren't able to use a blender, you can still enjoy this delicious Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake. Instead, you can use a hand-mixer and have a perfectly whipped milkshake on hand.

To start, simply crush the pecans and add them in a deep bowl with the milk. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes so that they soften a bit. Next, using an electric hand-mixer, whip on low-speed until pecans are blended in. Then add softened ice creams, vanilla, peanut butter, and cinnamon and whip again until smooth and combined.

Add your Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake to your fave glass(es), top with ingredients and wallah!

What Kind of Milk For this Peanut Butter Milkshake

When it comes to vegan milk options, there are so many possibilities. From oat milk (which I use in this recipe) soy milk to nut milk to the newest trend, potato milk, you can find a delicious plant-based option you love. And what makes these milks even better? You can make them from scratch at home! All of these dairy-free milk recipes will work for this Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake recipe:

Common Q + A's for Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake

Is milkshake basically ice cream?

Not at all. Basically, a milkshake is a beverage that is usually made of milk, ice cream, and other flavoring and is blended or whipped until foamy and smooth.

What toppings can I use in this milkshake?

To top off each teat, I recommend a generous scoop of dairy-free CocoWhip and an extra drizzle softened peanut butter or pecan butter. You can also add toasted chopped pecans, vegan-friendly rainbow sprinkles, vegan marshmallows, caramel sauce, crushed cookies, you name it!

Can I make this milkshake ahead of time?

Honestly, I highly recommend making your milkshake once you're ready to drink it, however, you can make it a few minutes prior to consuming and refrigerate it. I always recommend a quick stir before consuming it.

How do I make different flavors?

Just a few tweaks and you can have a completely new flavor and drinking experience. Always start with your base, which would be a different flavor of ice cream and then make tweaks to the remaining ingredients like swapping the peanut butter with chocolate, strawberry, caramel sauce, and so forth. Mix and match as you please---the possibilities are endless!

Is peanut butter good for you?

Yes! Peanut butter is loaded with so many good, health-promoting nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6. 

Two glasses of milkshake on a white table with a brown napkin, spoon, chopped pecans, and rainbow sprinkles.

More Sweet Summer Vegan Recipes to Try!

Now that you're on a dairy-free kick with this milkshake recipe, give these recipes that your entire family will love a try next:

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.

Two glasses of milkshake on a white table with a brown napkin, spoon, chopped pecans, and rainbow sprinkles.
Two milkshakes in a glasses on a white table with rainbow sprinkles and pecans.

Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake

March 8, 2018
5 from 5 votes
This Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake is perfectly sweet with bold peanut butter and toasted pecan flavors that will satisfy that sweet tooth for the entire family!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2 servings

Ingredients

MILKSHAKE:

  • 3 cups dairy-free vanilla ice cream, premium
  • 1 cup Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup organic peanut butter (Ensure that it's vegan-friendly!)
  • ½ cup toasted pecans (See Notes; You can also sub with pecan butter)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:

  • Coconut whipped cream
  • Chopped pecans, toasted
  • Softened peanut butter, drizzle
  • Rainbow sprinkles (Ensure that it's vegan-friendly!)

Instructions

TO MAKE THE MILKSHAKE:

  • Add the ice cream, milk, vanilla, peanut butter, pecans, and cinnamon to a high-powered blender and blend on medium-high speed, until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. 
  • Once milkshake consistency is met, pour milkshake into tall glass(es), and top each milkshake with coconut whipped cream, chopped pecans, drizzle of peanut butter, and rainbow sprinkles, if desired.
  • Add a straw and sip away and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

  • HOMEMADE COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM: In the bowl of an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whip the full-fat coconut milk (3-4 cups), using the whisk attachment for 4-5 minutes, until fluffy peaks begin to form. NOTE: When it begins to thicken after the first 2-3 minutes, gradually add in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt. Once fully fluffy, remove from mixer bowl and continue recipe. 
  • PECAN BUTTER: If you don't want to use pecans or just don't have them handy, you can easily substitute them with pecan butter. I love organic and/or raw pecan butter like this one from Purely Pecans and Artisana

Nutrition

Calories: 581kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 27g | Sodium: 439mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 2mg

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Signature of my name, Shanika in black font.

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  1. Peanut butter and pecan is such a dreamy combination! Love that this is vegan, too. What an incredible summer treat!

  2. I agree that it seems like an odd combination. However, I do like pecans and I do love peanut butter. This recipe is worth a try, thank you for sharing and sure does look pretty.

    • Thanks so much April! Trust me, it's worth the try! I was pleasantly surprised at how amazing it tastes together! I hope that you enjoy!

  3. We can't do peanuts in our house (allergy), but I'm wondering about trying this with cashew butter!

    • Yes, I use almond butter as well as an alternative sometimes and I believe that it tastes just as great, so I would guess that cashew butter works perfectly too! I hope you enjoy!

  4. Peanut butter and pecan - that's an odd combination for a milk shake.

    However, I can't wait to try it out to explore the taste it brings.

    It could become a brunch-meal substitute I would love to try.

    • Yes, it's such an odd combination, but it's amazing how great it tastes! I do hope that you enjoy!