This Toasted Almond Milkshake is the ultimate almond indulgence…if you loved the Good Humor man’s Toasted Almond ice cream bar you’re going to want to stick around for this…

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating…it’s the simplest foods that give you the most pleasure…a ripe tomato picked from your own garden, the perfect cup of hot coffee just as you’re waking up, or a frosty milkshake poured, no, spooned, from your blender at the end of a long day. This recipe is in honor of my dad — it’s the first thing that popped into my mind when I was trying to think of something to post for Father’s Day. When I was growing up my dad was usually long gone for work by the time I got up. He commuted into New York City every day and while he tried to get home by dinnertime each night, that didn’t always happen. One of my most vivid memories is him standing in the kitchen late at night in his bathrobe and slippers making a thick shake with vanilla ice cream and whole milk (before cholesterol was a household word.)
It was one of the few things I ever saw him do for himself, and I’m not sure how often he made these shakes, but in my mind it was almost every night. I bet my memory’s a little off on that one, but it was his routine for as long as I can remember, and he sure deserved it, my sisters and I had a charmed life thanks to all his hard work. Again, it was the simple things that stand out, he brought home candy in his Mad Men era briefcase every Friday night, he sat and watched The Flintstones with us on the couch, he took us to amusement parks and actually rode those Teacups, taught us how to dive under scary waves, and always had spare change for the Good Humor truck — in his suit and horn rimmed glasses he definitely had a Clark Kent vibe going on, but he’ll always be Superman to me…this one’s for you, Dad!
This Toasted Almond Milkshake recipe jazzes up Dad’s plain milkshake with the flavor from his favorite ice cream bar. I inherited my love of all things almond from him, and although I haven’t had a Toasted Almond bar in decades, that flavor remains one of my favorites. This shake nails that wonderful taste. If you’re a fellow almond lover, you’re going to flip for this.
The key to the flavor is all the layers of almond. I toast sliced almonds to start. You could use whole chopped almonds, or slivered. Just make sure to heat them, while stirring, until they turn fragrant and golden. I blitz the almonds with almond paste to make a crumbly mixture that is exactly like the coating on the Toasted Almond Bar. So good. I add it into the blender with the ice cream, and then, as if you weren’t already in almond heaven, I add a touch of pure almond extract. It puts it over the top.
My dad made his shake (he called it a “frosted”) in an old Waring blender. I still use one just like it. When it came time to re-do their kitchen, my parents had a blender built right into the counter top — that was pretty cool stuff in those days. He always used Breyer’s Vanilla ice cream, because that’s what his dad loved, and whole milk, from the milkman. Those frosteds were thick, I can still see them sliding excruciatingly slowly down the side of the blender on their way to the waiting glass. This one is worth the wait, believe me.
Happy Father’s Day dad!
more ice cream treats
- No Churn Baileyโs Ice Cream
- Black Raspberry Ice Cream
- Honey Ice Cream Recipe
- How to Make an Ice Cream Terrine
- Chocolate Frozen Custard Recipe
Toasted Almond Frosted Milkshake
Ingredients
- 4 scoops vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 4 Tbsp toasted almond mix, recipe below, plus more for garnish
- 3/4 cup whole milk, approximately 1/2 – 1 cup
toasted almond mix
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup almond paste, about 2 ounces
Instructions
- To make the toasted almond mix, put the almonds in a dry skillet and toast over medium heat for several minutes, stirring constantly, until they turn fragrant and golden. Don't let them burn! Set aside to cool.
- Cut the almond paste into chunks and put it in a food processor along with the cooled almonds and pulse until finely chopped. It should have a coarse sandy texture. You’ll have more than you need for this shake, so store the extra in the refrigerator.
- Put the ice cream and 4 tablespoons of the toasted almond mix into the blender, followed by the extract and just enough milk to loosen it up. Blend until mixed, but don’t blend too long or the ice cream will break down.
- Pour into a tall glass and top with more crushed almonds.
Notes
- Milkshake, shake, frosted, frappe, floats, freezes, cabinets, malts, fribble, black cow, brown cow…what do you call them?
- Promise me you’ll try this with Amaretto sometime.
What a lovely dessert shake — and even more lovely memories of your dad. ๐
What a wonderful memory of your father, love milkshakes especially one like this.
I think it’s interesting how different almonds are from the flavor, you know what I mean?
I love your story Sue, maybe more than the shake, although it looks and sounds out of this world delicious. It’s funny, I never liked almonds growing up, but I’m making up for it now!
Oh wow! This looks amazing. I just love the shots with the cherry on top.
It’s so funny Tara, because I’m a purist when it comes to shakes, I don’t like anything on top, no whipped cream, not nothing…but I shot the cherry because it was pretty ๐
I love almonds and toasting them must have enhanced the flavor, adding them to vanilla ice cream and milk and topping with more almonds must have taken this milkshake to new heights. It looks delicious and absolutely drool worthy.
I can tell you’re a fellow almond lover Nayna ๐
While the milk shake is fantastic – it’s your memories of your dad that brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart. I’m so happy he can read this tribute to him with your wonderful memories. I miss my dad so much. He was gone by the time I turned 30 years old. I truly felt like an orphan. My parents both enjoyed ice cream, mostly at night. I bet your dad will want you to make this soon! I love the addition of almond extract – so smart, especially since I love almond anything!
Tricia I lost my mom around that time, so I know exactly what you’re feeling… <3 <3
The Milkshake looks fantastic!! I can’t wait to try it! I love the story about your Dad. I miss mine terribly. Happy Father’s Day to everyone’s Dad!!
Thanks Gwen <3
Oh, I definitely want to stick around for this – I can just image the extra good flavour the toasted almond add to your milkshake.
I can’t stop staring at the photos, I just want to grab a straw and try this. I’m crazy for almond flavor in any form, and this weekend, an ice cream shake would really hit the spot!
wow…could you kindly pass that glass over? It looks crazily GOOD!!