Celebrate Big: Indulge in a Divine Peppermint Patty Milkshake & Win a Blendtec Blender!

Life’s milestones deserve to be celebrated, embraced, and definitely not hidden away. This week, as I turn the fabulous age of 40, I’m reflecting on every single day as a testament to this incredible journey. Each year is empirical evidence that I’m doing okay at this ‘being alive’ thing, and that, my friends, is a reason to brag! I’m here, I’m thriving, and I’m ready to celebrate with you!

To mark this special week, I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite foods and hosting some truly fabulous giveaways. We kicked things off yesterday with my beloved fried pies, and today? Today, I’m thrilled to bring you another divine creation from my kitchen: a Peppermint Patty Milkshake. This isn’t just any milkshake; it’s a luxurious blend featuring one of my two all-time favorite candy bars – the iconic York Peppermint Patties. Imagine rich chocolate ice cream, a generous swirl of chocolate syrup, and just enough milk to achieve that perfect, thick, dreamy consistency. It’s crowned with a ridiculously generous mountain of whipped cream, an extra drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a perfectly frozen peppermint patty for that ultimate finish. And to sweeten the deal even further, this amazing milkshake recipe comes with an epic giveaway. Read on, friends, you won’t want to miss this!

My Enduring Love Affair with York Peppermint Patties

My history with York Peppermint Patties runs deep and is, frankly, a bit sordid. Growing up, I developed a sophisticated (or perhaps mischievous) system for allocating my lunch money. Mondays and Wednesdays were strictly reserved for a full-sized Peppermint Patty paired with a bag of Andy Capp’s Hot Fries. Tuesdays were for a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Hot Fries, and Fridays saw me indulging in a KitKat, also with Hot Fries. Mom and Dad, if you’re reading this, please accept my belated apologies and don’t make me pay restitution – those were simpler times!

There was always something magical about the cool, invigorating rush of peppermint filling, perfectly balanced against the sophisticated, bittersweet notes of the dark chocolate shell. It was a flavor combination that captivated me from a young age. Then, a revelation struck: these delightful treats were even BETTER when stashed in the freezer! That discovery truly changed everything. From that moment on, a muggy, hot summer day just wasn’t complete without a bag of frozen peppermint patties chilling in the deep freeze. Given my lifelong devotion to these minty marvels, it was only natural that they would eventually find their way into a creamy, dreamy milkshake.

The inspiration for this particular milkshake struck just last week on one of those oppressively hot and steamy days. I had just replenished my supply of peppermint patties at the local store. Upon arriving home, I faced a common culinary dilemma: limited freezer space. The only way to make room for my new candy stash was to remove an almost-empty half-gallon of chocolate ice cream from the freezer. With no other available freezer real estate (a situation I absolutely must remedy before harvesting my 100+ pounds of blueberries next week!), I decided to improvise. I tossed the chocolate ice cream into my trusty blender, along with a couple of peppermint patties that had regrettably begun to melt on the journey home. A generous splash of milk and a dollop of chocolate syrup completed the mix, and with a satisfying ‘ZAP,’ the blender whirred to life.

Out poured a perfectly smooth, luxuriously thick, intensely chocolatey, and refreshingly peppermint-infused milkshake. The only fitting conclusion to such a masterpiece was an insane cap of whipped cream, another decadent drizzle of chocolate syrup, and one of the larger peppermint patties perched artfully on the side of the glass. It was pure bliss. And yes, I did share – I allowed my boys each a single, tantalizing sip before judiciously barricading myself in the bathroom to savor every last drop in peace. Hey, you only get one 40th birthday month, right? RIGHT?!?

Crafting the Perfect Peppermint Patty Milkshake: Tips for Success

Essential Cook’s Notes for Your Homemade Milkshake

• Choosing Your Chocolate Ice Cream: The foundation of this milkshake is its chocolate ice cream. For an authentic and intense flavor profile that truly mirrors the dark chocolate of a York Peppermint Patty, opt for the darkest chocolate ice cream you can find. I’m fortunate to have access to dark chocolate ice cream at my local store, which makes all the difference. If dark chocolate ice cream isn’t available in your area, don’t fret! Simply use regular good-quality chocolate ice cream and boost its depth with an extra teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. This small addition will enhance the chocolate flavor and bring it closer to the desired bitter-sweet intensity.
• Embracing the Flecks: You might notice some tiny, delightful flecks of the peppermint filling throughout your milkshake, no matter how long you let your blender run. Resist the urge to blend endlessly! I personally find these small specks to be wonderfully charming and incredibly refreshing. They add a pleasant textural surprise and a burst of concentrated mint, reinforcing the ‘patty’ experience within your drink. Don’t view them as a blending imperfection, but rather as a signature characteristic of this homemade treat.
• Temperature Matters: For the best milkshake consistency, ensure your ice cream is firm but not rock-hard straight from the freezer. Allowing it to soften slightly for 5-10 minutes before blending can make a difference in achieving that smooth, thick texture without overworking your blender or adding too much milk.
• Boosting the Mint: While the peppermint patties provide a good amount of mint flavor, a tiny drop of peppermint extract or essential oil (make sure it’s food-grade!) can elevate the minty freshness to another level, especially if you love a strong mint kick. Start with a single drop and add more to taste, as peppermint can be quite potent.

The Ultimate Birthday Giveaway: A Blendtec Blender!

To help me truly celebrate my 40th birthday in grand style, the incredibly generous folks at Blendtec are offering one lucky reader the very same blender kit that I personally own and rely on every single day! This isn’t just any blender; it’s the powerful Designer Series Certified Refurbished Blender, complete with both the versatile Wildside+ Jar and the innovative Twister Jar. Believe me when I say, this is a serious piece of kitchen kit that will revolutionize your culinary adventures!

My Blendtec is an indispensable tool in my kitchen. I use it daily, sometimes even multiple times a day, for everything from smoothies and sauces to batters and, of course, magnificent milkshakes like this Peppermint Patty creation. Ask anyone who owns one; Blendtec blenders are simply amazing, renowned for their power, durability, and ability to handle the toughest ingredients with ease. It’s a true workhorse that stands up to consistent use and delivers consistently exceptional results.

So, how do you enter for your chance to win this fantastic Blendtec blender? It’s incredibly simple! To participate, please leave a comment below telling us what the very first thing you would make in your brand-new Blendtec blender would be! Need a little inspiration to get those culinary gears turning? Head over to the official Blendtec recipes page for a wealth of ideas. Or, for even more innovative uses and delicious concepts, explore the Blendtec Blog. You might even find some familiar content there, perhaps involving even MORE milkshakes!

A Quick Update: Since I posted this morning, I’ve received at least 40 requests across Facebook, Instagram, and email, asking about the stylish glasses featured in the pictures above! I’m nothing if not observant and always eager to help, so here’s a link to where you can find them. (Please note, this is an affiliate link.) You can find similar stylish glassware to serve your own delicious milkshakes. A beautiful presentation always enhances the enjoyment of a decadent treat!

The Fine Print for Our Giveaway: Please note that this is NOT a sponsored post. Blendtec has graciously offered one Designer Series Certified Refurbished Blender, complete with both Wildside and Twister Jars, as a giveaway prize exclusively for one fortunate Foodie with Family reader. This exciting giveaway is open solely to residents of the United States. I sincerely apologize to all my wonderful international friends who won’t be able to participate this time. One winner will be randomly chosen on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, and will be promptly notified via email. The selected winner will have a 48-hour window to respond to the notification; otherwise, a new winner will be selected and contacted.

Full disclosure: I am a proud Blendtec affiliate. This means that if you choose to purchase a blender after clicking on any of the Blendtec product links provided within this article, I will receive a small commission. This helps support the creation of more delicious recipes and exciting content for you to enjoy. Thank you for your understanding and support!