Peppermint Candy Cane Frozen Yogurt Milk Shake

This frozen yogurt milkshake packs in probiotics, protein, and all the ice-cold satisfaction of the holiday season with just a few simple ingredients. It’s creamy, pepperminty, sweet, and refreshingly chilly — every sip tastes a little like Christmas magic. Plus, it takes maybe five minutes to whip up and enjoy!

Peppermint is one of those soothing, bright holiday flavors that shows up everywhere this time of year — and I love it. To me, peppermint brings the cool, snow-packed feeling of winter indoors, making everything feel cozy, crisp, and festive.

But let’s be honest — those classic peppermint candy cane treats can be loaded with sugar. I wanted to lighten things up a bit and create a quick, healthier version that still felt fun and festive.

That’s where this shake came in. One night, I was lying in bed thinking about making something creamy, a little sweet, and perfectly wintry — but also a bit better for you. And so, the Peppermint Candy Cane Frozen Yogurt Milkshake was born. It brings together the best of the season — holiday flavor, refreshing coolness, and a few wholesome ingredients — perfect for Christmas morning, a cozy afternoon pick-me-up, or even a late-night movie treat.

Diet & Preference Variations

Dairy-Free Option:
To make this shake dairy-free, it’s super simple! Swap the frozen yogurt for a non-dairy frozen ice cream made with coconut, cashew, or oat milk. Replace the milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk. You can even leave out the malted milk powder entirely, or substitute with oat milk powder for that same creamy “milkshake” texture.

Zero Added Sugar Option:
Use a no-sugar-added frozen yogurt or ice cream and skip the crushed candy canes. Let the peppermint extract do the work in bringing the cool flavor to the shake! You can even add an extra drop or two for a bolder minty kick — with no sugar required.

Why This Peppermint Candy Cane Frozen Yogurt Milkshake Is So Good (and Good for You)

Frozen Yogurt:
Frozen yogurt is naturally lower in fat and sodium, packed with probiotics, and a good source of protein and calcium. It’s a lighter alternative to traditional ice cream, but still gives that luscious, creamy texture every milkshake needs — with a refreshing, icy twist that keeps things light and magical. 

Malted Milk Powder:
This old-fashioned touch adds a hint of nutty sweetness and nostalgia to the shake — just like the classic diner-style milkshakes we are familiar with. Malted milk powder also brings calcium for strong bones, protein for muscle recovery, and a bit of healthy fat for lasting energy (perfect for all that holiday shopping and celebrating).

Peppermint:
Using pure peppermint extract and YUMEARTH candy canes keeps this shake both flavorful and wholesome. The peppermint gives that refreshing burst of coolness, while YUMEARTH candy canes are vegan, gluten-free, and made without artificial dyes — they get their color from natural fruit and veggie concentrates! Plus, peppermint is soothing to the stomach and helps calm digestion, which makes this treat feel like a win-win in every way. ​​😄

Ingredients:

• Ice

• Frozen yogurt

• Milk

• Malted milk powder

• Vanilla bean paste

• Peppermint extract

• Candy canes

Favorite Ingredients to Use

• Kroger’s Deluxe Low-Fat Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
  This is one of the easiest frozen yogurts to find, and it’s my go-to! It’s creamy, blends beautifully into the milkshake, and adds just the right touch of light richness without feeling heavy.

• YUMEARTH Candy Canes
  I love these because they’re made with natural ingredients and have no artificial dyes. I pop them into a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until they’re nice and fine — perfect for stirring into the shake for that sweet peppermint crunch.

• Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
  This vanilla bean paste adds such a warm, fragrant depth to the milkshake. It’s a little more special than plain vanilla extract and gives that cozy, homemade flavor I just love. 

• Watkins Pure Peppermint Extract
  This extract adds a crisp, refreshing peppermint flavor that’s all-natural and slightly sweet. I love how it brings brightness and balance to the creamy base — it really makes the milkshake taste like the holidays in an icy cold milkshake! 

• 1% Milk
  I usually use 1% milk because it’s still creamy and satisfying, but lighter than whole or 2% milk. It adds the perfect amount of body and calcium without being too rich.

• Nestlé Carnation Malted Milk Powder (Original)
  This classic malted milk powder is easy to find and brings a lovely nutty, toasty flavor to the milkshake. It adds that nostalgic “old-fashioned soda shop” touch — but in a lighter, new way.

How to Make this Healthier Peppermint Milk Shake: 

1. Blend the base:
Add the ice, frozen yogurt, milk, malted milk powder, vanilla bean paste, and peppermint extract to a blender.
Blend until everything is nice and smooth — creamy and frosty.

2. Add the candy canes:
Sprinkle in the crushed candy canes and pulse the blender 2–3 times, just enough to mix them through.

If you prefer a completely smooth milkshake, blend for an additional 15–30 seconds until the candy canes are fully blended into the drink.

3. Serve and enjoy:
Pour the milkshake into two glasses.
Serve immediately while it’s frozen, creamy, and simply delicious! :)