Strawberry Malts

Whether you love all things retro, are throwing a themed party or just want to treat yourself to a darn good milkshake, strawberry malts are a classic dessert that requires just five ingredients. While the nostalgic vibes are fun, malted milkshakes contain an ingredient that transforms a regular shake into a complex flavor bomb. The not-so-secret ingredient? Malted milk powder.

In this recipe for strawberry malts, vanilla ice cream is blended with real strawberries and strawberry syrup for an intense berry flavor. Malted milk powder adds a nutty, toasty flavor that both balances the sweetness of the ice cream and syrup as well as complements the tart berries. The malt powder also produces an extra-thick and creamy shake. One sip and you’ll understand why malts are such a beloved treat!

What is the difference between a strawberry malt and a strawberry milkshake?

Both strawberry malts and milkshakes are blended drinks made with ice cream, milk, strawberries or strawberry syrup. A malt also contains malted milk powder, which is a mixture of barley, wheat and evaporated milk. Malts in a variety of flavors were all the rage in the mid-1900s. They could be found in soda fountains, diners and drugstores around the country.

Malted milk powder has a complex flavor profile described as sweet and nutty. It adds a distinct malted flavor to recipes and is typically used as a flavor enhancer. If you think about a malted candy like Whoppers, you’ll recognize the toasty flavor of malted milk powder.

Ingredients for Strawberry Malts

• Milk: This strawberry malt recipe calls for 1/4 cup milk—just enough liquid to help blend the ingredients without watering down the texture. We recommend whole milk in milkshake recipes for its rich flavor and creamy texture, but you could substitute 2% milk without much of a difference.
• Strawberry syrup: Strawberry syrup deepen the strawberry flavor and sweetness factor. I recommend skipping store-bought sundae syrup since most are artificially flavored and contain no fruit. For the best flavor, whip up a batch of homemade strawberry syrup—it’s as easy as combining strawberries, sugar and water in a saucepan. If you’re short on time, substitute with strawberry preserves.
• Malted milk powder: Malted milk powder makes a malt, well, a malt! It adds extra creaminess and complex flavor to milkshakes. Look for it near cans of evaporated and sweetened condensed milks, typically found in the baking aisle.
• Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries to add fruity flavor to your malted strawberry milkshake. If using frozen berries, let them partially thaw at room temperature for about 10 minutes to make them easier to blend.
• Vanilla ice cream: A quart of vanilla ice cream creates our strawberry malt shake’s sweet and creamy base. For the best flavor, use homemade vanilla ice cream or a premium vanilla ice cream brand that contains simple ingredients like cream, sugar and real vanilla.

Directions

Step 1: Blend the ingredients

Place the milk, strawberry syrup, malted milk powder, strawberries and vanilla ice cream in a blender. Cover and process until smooth.

Editor’s Tip: This recipe calls for softened vanilla ice cream, which makes for easier blending. For the ideal consistency, let your ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes or in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. In a pinch, you can also soften ice cream in the microwave.

Step 2: Serve the malts

Divide the strawberry malt milkshake into four chilled glasses. Serve immediately.

Mark Derse for Taste of Home

Strawberry Malt Variations

• Easy on the malt: This recipe calls for 1/2 cup malted milk powder, which equates to 2 tablespoons malt per shake. If you’re unsure how much malt flavor you prefer, you could start with half that amount, then taste and increase the amount as needed.
• Use another ice cream flavor: Switch up the flavor of your strawberry malt by experimenting with other ice cream flavors. Some ideas are chocolate ice cream for a chocolate-covered strawberry-inspired malt or coconut ice cream for some tropical flair.
• Make a strawberry-banana malt: If you love strawberry-banana desserts, add one large or two small bananas to the blender for more fruit flavor, natural sweetness and creaminess.
• Add toppings: Make your strawberry malts picture-perfect with a classic garnish of whipped cream and maraschino cherries. Other fun topping ideas include coconut flakes, crumbled freeze-dried strawberries, sprinkles and chocolate shavings.

How to Store Strawberry Malts

Strawberry malt milkshakes are best enjoyed right after blending, but you can store them if you have extra or can’t finish your drink in one sitting. If you want to keep your malt chilled to finish within an hour or so, transfer it to an insulated cup with a lid and store it in the fridge. Otherwise, store it in the freezer and let it sit at room temperature until softened.

Can you make strawberry malts ahead of time?

You can make strawberry malts ahead of time, but they’re best enjoyed fresh. Blend the ingredients, transfer the malts to covered freezer-safe storage glasses, and freeze them for several hours or up to one week. Let them soften at room temperature before serving, and stir or reblend if needed.

Strawberry Malt Tips

Mark Derse for Taste of Home

What does adding malt to a milkshake do?

Adding malt, aka malted milk powder, to a milkshake produces a thicker and creamier shake with a more complex flavor than a regular milkshake. Malt adds notes of sweetness and nuttiness. Many people consider it a retro flavor—it was popular in soda fountain shops.

Can you use a different flavor of ice cream?

Sure! Vanilla or strawberry ice cream is your best bet for letting the strawberry flavor shine. But chocolate, coconut or banana ice cream could be a fun twist. For a little bit of everything, try Neapolitan ice cream.

Can you make a dairy-free strawberry malt shake?

Malts can’t be made dairy-free since malted milk powder contains evaporated milk. However, you can still enjoy a dairy-free strawberry shake, just omit the milk and malted milk powder. Use a milk alternative and vegan ice cream made from coconut, oat, almond or cashew milk.

What else can you do with malted milk powder?

Malted milk powder can be added to other milkshake flavors and homemade ice cream. You can also bake with it! The malt flavor is especially wonderful paired with chocolate, as in this chocolate malt pudding cake or malted chocolate cheesecake. Or, add a nutty twist to a mug of hot cocoa by stirring a tablespoon of malted milk powder into your favorite hot chocolate recipe.