2 Pumpkin Pie Shakes with whipped cream and pink straws

This Creamy Pumpkin Milkshake is super simple with all the Fall flavors you love!

Made with pumpkin puree and flavorful homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup and Pumpkin Pie Spice this milkshake is like pumpkin pie in a glass!

Fall begins and everyone starts dreaming of all things pumpkin! Just like its lighter cousin the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte, these Pumpkin Spice Milkshakes, are a cinch to make at home. This is a super quick treat that is popular with kids of all ages.

You can also treat the adults at the party with a pumpkin pie “boozy” shake by adding a dash of rum or bourbon to this creamy.

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Ingredients needed

Milk – 2% or higher milk makes the best shakes, but you can use nonfat or 1% milk
Pumpkin Puree – we like to use 100% puree, but you can use pumpkin pie puree mix as well. Please note that the pie blend has other added ingredients in it, whereas the puree does not.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup or Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend mixture
Vanilla Ice Cream – it’s the star ingredient so buy the best you can
Whipped Cream – optional, but highly recommended!
Bourbon or Rum – optional, for an “adult” style pumpkin milkshake

How to make the perfect milkshake

Every good milkshake starts with the same building blocks and this Pumpkin Pie Milkshake is no exception. My first job was making milkshakes at an ice cream store so I can honestly say I have probably made hundreds of milkshakes over time!

Milkshakes are super simple to make but there are some key tips that will make your shake perfect every time

Use the best ingredients because there are only a few
Every milkshake has 2 staples – ice cream and milk – the rest is just flavoring
Use 2% milk or higher for the creamiest results, but never heavy cream (that will turn your shake into butter!)
Always add the milk to the blender first, rather than the ice cream, because that will get the blender moving
Make sure all ingredients are as cold as possible. Once everything is blended the shake will automatically warm up a little
Chill your glass ahead of time to keep your shake nice and cold
Milkshakes can be made with an immersion blender, as well as a regular blender
Any small flavoring add-ins, such as sprinkles and chocolate chips, should be added in by hand at the end otherwise they will be pulverized by the blender

Use the best ingredients:

We make our shake with pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie blend, but either will work. Keep in mind that pumpkin pie blend is sweeter than pure pumpkin puree
You can use either Pumpkin Pie Spice or Pumpkin Spice Syrup in this recipe. Even better – use a combo of both!
Use vanilla bean ice cream to add even more flavor

Want to make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice? Try our homemade blend made with a handful of pantry spices. It’s a blend that you’ll want to use throughout the Fall season. It contains a blend of ginger, mace, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves.
We use it in our Pumpkin Spice Latte, in syrup, and in our Pumpkin Spice Cookies. It’s also perfect for pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix ingredients in 6 tins

How to make a creamy Pumpkin Milkshake:

Chill glasses for serving
If whipping your own whipped cream do this before making the shake
In a blender add ingredients in this order – milk, pumpkin puree, either pumpkin spice or pumpkin spice syrup (or a little of both), and ice cream
Blend on high for about 90 seconds or until very well blended and smooth
If adding bourbon or rum blend in now
Pour into chilled glasses
Add whipped cream topping
Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon) on top for extra flavor and color
Serve immediately

How to make homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup

We love making our own syrup because it’s easy and doesn’t have added artificial flavors.
Use it to make your own Pumpkin Spice Lattes or Pumpkin Martinis too!

Perfect Milkshake Proportions:

The measurements below will make about 2 cups of any flavor shake. Use this as your guide for any flavor milkshake:

1/3 cup milk – 2% or whole milk makes the creamiest shakes (don’t use heavy cream)
1-1/2 cups of ice cream
Add-ins – such as flavorings, fruits, syrups, and candies

How to double this recipe

This recipe can easily be doubled to make 4 shakes. Simple double the ingredients. No additional adjustments are needed.

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5 from 6 votes