Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this milkshake because cherries and chocolate are such a natural combination. The cherries add a sweet-tart fruitiness that balances the richness of the ice cream, while chocolate chips add extra texture and a deeper chocolate flavor.

I also like that I can make the entire recipe in just a few minutes. I can use fresh or frozen cherries, adjust the thickness with milk, and add different toppings depending on how indulgent I want my shake to be.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Pitted fresh or frozen cherries
Vanilla ice cream
Whole milk
Semisweet or dark chocolate chips
Vanilla extract
Pinch of salt, optional
Whipped cream, optional
Fresh cherries for garnish, optional
Chocolate shavings or extra chocolate chips, optional

Directions

1. Prepare the Cherries

I wash and pit fresh cherries before adding them to my blender. If I use frozen cherries, I can add them directly from the freezer for an extra-thick and frosty milkshake.

2. Add the Ingredients

I add the cherries, vanilla ice cream, milk, vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt to the blender.

3. Blend Until Creamy

I blend the ingredients until the cherries are incorporated and the milkshake is thick and smooth. If it is too thick to blend easily, I add another small splash of milk.

4. Add the Chocolate Chips

I add the chocolate chips and pulse the blender a few times. I like leaving tiny pieces of chocolate throughout the shake rather than completely blending them into the mixture.

5. Serve

I pour the Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake into chilled glasses and serve it immediately. When I want a more decadent presentation, I top each glass with whipped cream, fresh cherries, and chocolate shavings.

Servings and Timing

I usually get about 2 generous servings from this Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake recipe.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Total time: about 7 minutes
Servings: 2

I serve the milkshake as soon as I finish blending so it stays thick, creamy, and cold.

Variations

Chocolate Cherry Milkshake

I replace vanilla ice cream with chocolate ice cream when I want an even richer chocolate flavor. I can still add chocolate chips for extra texture.

Black Forest Milkshake

I use chocolate ice cream and top my milkshake with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a fresh cherry. I love this variation when I want flavors inspired by Black Forest cake.

Cherry Vanilla Milkshake

I leave out the chocolate chips and add a little extra vanilla extract. This gives me a simple shake where the sweet cherry flavor stands out.

Almond Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake

I add a tiny splash of almond extract along with the vanilla. I use almond extract sparingly because its flavor can quickly become strong.

Extra-Thick Cherry Milkshake

I use frozen cherries and reduce the amount of milk. If my blender needs more liquid, I add the milk gradually until everything blends smoothly.

Storage/Reheating

I think Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake tastes best immediately after blending. The longer it sits, the more the ice cream melts and the thinner the shake becomes.

If I have leftovers, I can transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze them for a short period. Before serving again, I let the mixture soften slightly and blend it with a small splash of milk to restore a smoother consistency.

I don’t reheat this recipe. I always serve my milkshake cold, preferably straight from the blender.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cherries for a Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake?

Yes. I actually like using frozen cherries because they help make my milkshake thicker and colder. I don’t need to thaw them first unless my blender has difficulty processing frozen fruit.

Do I need to use fresh cherries?

No. I can make this milkshake with either fresh or frozen pitted cherries. Fresh cherries give me a juicy seasonal flavor, while frozen cherries are convenient and help create a thicker texture.

What kind of chocolate works best?

I like semisweet or dark chocolate because its slight bitterness balances the sweetness of the cherries and ice cream. I can also use milk chocolate when I want a sweeter result.

How can I make my milkshake thicker?

I use less milk, add more ice cream, or use frozen cherries. I always start with a smaller amount of milk because I can easily add more while blending if the shake is too thick.

Can I make a Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake ahead of time?

I prefer making it immediately before serving because milkshakes melt quickly. If I need to do some preparation ahead, I pit the cherries and measure the ingredients in advance, then keep everything chilled or frozen until I am ready to blend.

Conclusion

Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake is a quick dessert drink I love for its combination of creamy vanilla, juicy cherries, and little bursts of chocolate. It requires minimal preparation and comes together in just a few minutes.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Milkshake

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A thick and creamy milkshake blending sweet cherries, vanilla ice cream, and little pieces of chocolate. This quick dessert drink is fruity, rich, and ready in just minutes.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Wash and pit the cherries if using fresh fruit. Frozen pitted cherries can be used directly from the freezer for a thicker milkshake.
Add the cherries, vanilla ice cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
Blend until the cherries are fully incorporated and the milkshake is thick and creamy. If it is too thick to blend, add a small splash of additional milk.
Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times, leaving small pieces of chocolate throughout the milkshake for texture.
Pour into chilled glasses and serve immediately. Top with whipped cream, fresh cherries, chocolate shavings, or additional chocolate chips if desired.

Notes

Frozen cherries make the milkshake especially thick and cold and do not need to be thawed unless required by your blender.
For a thicker milkshake, reduce the milk, use frozen cherries, or add more ice cream.
For a chocolate cherry variation, replace the vanilla ice cream with chocolate ice cream.
For a Black Forest-inspired milkshake, use chocolate ice cream and garnish with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a fresh cherry.
A tiny splash of almond extract can be added for an almond-cherry variation.
This milkshake is best served immediately. Leftovers can be frozen briefly, softened slightly, and re-blended with a splash of milk before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 milkshake
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 55 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 68 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 9 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg