I’d like to introduce you to my new favorite milkshake.
I can’t take credit for this idea. It’s my version of the Apple Cider Milkshake I had at the Ben & Jerry’s in Salem the other day, while I was waiting for The Angry Chef to pick me up on a rainy day.
Thank god for the rain, because I would have missed this if I didn’t have a pressing urge to stay dry.
When he pulled up, I got into the car, triumphantly waving my milkshake at him.
“You have to try this. It’s amazing,” I squeaked.
“What is it?”
“An apple cider milkshake. And it’s delicious.”
“It sounds gross,” he said, but took a cautious pull on the straw to be polite. (After years, he knows it’s easier to just give in and taste.)
“It’s strange,” he said, and took another sip. “Yeah, it’s definitely odd.”
And then he drank half the shake.
Strange, eh? How about strangely delicious, my dear Angry Chef. Now that’s more like it.
The next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So, I did the only logical thing: I busted out the blender.
I had a quart of cider from Brooksby Farm in the fridge, as well as a pint of good vanilla ice cream. (Brooksby Farm in Peabody, Mass. is awesome. Check out the pics of last year’s apple-picking adventure there.)
It took me a few shakes to come up with the right ratio of apple cider to vanilla ice cream. (Harrowing work, tasting all those shakes, I know.)
If you like apple pie a la mode, you’ll love this. It’s creamy and apple-y, with just a touch of warm, fragrant cinnamon. You could substitute a little pumpkin pie spice or ground cardamom for the cinnamon, if you like.
For a booze-y version, try tossing in a little apple brandy or schnapps. Serve topped with whipped cream or homemade creme chantilly, with a dusting of ground cinnamon.
Apple Pie in a Glass (a.k.a. Apple Cider Milkshake)
1/2 – 3/4 cup apple cider
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon + more for garnish
French vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Makes 1 milkshake in a pint glass
Apple Pie in a Glass: Shake up your shake
Grab a pint glass. Pack it loosely with vanilla ice cream. Set it aside for a sec.
Add the apple cider to your blender.
The cider measurement in the recipe is approximate, depending on how thick you want your shake. Start with less, then blend in more once you add the ice cream to thin it out.
Toss in the cinnamon.
Transfer the ice cream from your pint glass to the blender.
Blend on high for a minute or two until well combined. Give it a quick taste to check the consistency. To thin it out, add a little more apple cider and blend again.
Pour the shake back into your glass. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Enjoy!
