Every holiday season Cheryl craves a peppermint chocolate chip shake. Even though she isn’t vegan, she loves this version — and I think you will too. It’s bright, minty and chocolaty, yet light enough to enjoy any time during the holidays.
This shake is especially convenient because it doesn’t require ice cream. Instead, it’s blended from simple pantry staples: non-dairy milk, a few chocolate bits, peppermint flavor and crushed ice. A small amount of xanthan gum or pectin gives it a creamy, milkshake-like body without adding dairy or frozen dessert.
If you don’t have candy canes, a splash of peppermint extract or a few fresh mint leaves will do the job. Candy canes add a festive crunch and a candy-cane aroma when used as a garnish, but the core shake remains delicious even without them.
I received some candy canes from TruJoy Sweets to try, and NuNaturals provided a bottle of their mint chocolate stevia syrup. Regardless, I make this shake every year and would have done so whether or not I’d received samples. I appreciate Tru Joy Sweets’ candy canes because they’re vegan, organic and colored with plant-based dyes, which makes them a nicer choice if you’re avoiding artificial colors or animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan Peppermint Chocolate Chip Holiday Shake
2 servings
15 minutes
15 minutes
This dairy-free shake is blended without ice cream and still produces a creamy, satisfying texture. All you need is non-dairy milk, a bit of chocolate, peppermint flavor and a binder such as xanthan gum or pectin to keep everything smooth and scoopable. It’s quick to make, easy to adapt, and a festive treat for vegans and non-vegans alike.
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk, preferably vanilla-flavored
- 1 tablespoon vegan mini chocolate chips or grated chocolate
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, to taste
- Sweetener, to taste if needed (agave, maple, or your preferred sweetener)
- 1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum or 1 teaspoon pectin — do not skip; it helps thicken the shake
- 2 cups crushed ice
- Crushed candy canes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the non-dairy milk and chocolate chips or grated chocolate into a blender. Pulse or blend until the chocolate is broken into small pieces; it can be slightly larger because it will be blended further with the ice.
- If your blender isn’t high-powered, chop the chocolate into smaller pieces before adding it. This makes blending easier and prevents large chunks in the finished shake.
- Add 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract and blend briefly. Taste, then add up to another 1/8 teaspoon if you want a stronger mint flavor. Adjust gradually; peppermint can quickly overpower other flavors.
- Check sweetness now. If your non-dairy milk is unsweetened, add 1 to 1½ tablespoons of agave or your chosen sweetener, then blend and taste again. You can substitute stevia, coconut nectar, or another sweetener to suit your dietary preferences.
- Once the flavor and sweetness are balanced, add the xanthan gum or pectin and blend briefly to incorporate. This small amount is what gives the shake a thick, milkshake-like texture when combined with ice.
- For a high-speed blender, add all the crushed ice and blend until smooth but still slightly textured with tiny chocolate bits. If your blender is less powerful, add the ice in 1-cup increments and blend between additions so the blades can process the ice evenly.
- Pour into glasses, insert a straw, and garnish with crushed candy cane pieces or a sprinkle of chocolate. To crush candy canes for garnish, place them in a sealed plastic bag, cover with a towel and gently tap with a rolling pin or hammer until they break into small pieces. The ritual of crushing them is oddly satisfying and makes a pretty topping.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, the author may earn from qualifying purchases.
- Brach’s Red and White Peppermint Candy Canes, 12 ct
- Silk Vanilla Soymilk 32-Ounce Aseptic Cartons (Pack of 6), Vanilla Flavored Non-Dairy Soy Milk
- Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips, 10 oz-SET OF 3
Nutrition Information
Yield 2
Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 149Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 11mgSodium 75mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 1gSugar 10gProtein 5g
Nutrition information is an estimate. If you have dietary or health concerns, enter your exact ingredients into a nutritional calculator recommended by your healthcare professional for precise values.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram if you try it — seeing your variations and photos is always a treat.
An easy sugar-free variation is to replace the chocolate chips and peppermint extract with about 1 to 2 tablespoons of a cocoa-mint stevia syrup. This creates a smooth, naturally sweetened version that’s also great stirred into hot cocoa or drizzled over dairy-free ice cream.
If you prefer a plain chocolate option rather than mint, try a chocolate stevia syrup or simple stevia syrup to sweeten and flavor the shake without refined sugar. These syrups work well in cold shakes, hot drinks and cocktails, and they provide an alternate way to get both chocolate and sweetness in one step.
Fresh mint is another lovely variation when it’s available: a handful of mint leaves added with the milk and chocolate gives a brighter, more herbal mint flavor. If fresh mint is scarce in winter, the crushed candy cane garnish or peppermint extract will deliver the festive note just as well.
