Scroll for the smoky-sweet secret ingredient!
Let’s be honest—bacon makes everything better. But when you swirl it into vanilla ice cream with rich maple syrup and top it with whipped cream? That’s not just dessert. That’s legendary. This bacon milkshake isn’t for the faint of flavor. It’s bold, creamy, salty-sweet indulgence in a frosty glass.
Sweet & Salty Bliss: The Ultimate Bacon Milkshake Recipe
There’s a reason bacon has earned cult status—it brings crunch, savory depth, and the kind of flavor that turns even simple dishes into legends. So, what happens when it collides with creamy vanilla ice cream and rich maple syrup in a blender? Pure magic.
This recipe began, as most kitchen adventures do, with a craving. It was a lazy Saturday morning, and the fridge held just a few strips of leftover maple bacon. I remembered a wild diner shake I once saw on a road trip through Kentucky, smiled to myself, and thought, “Why not?”
The result was part comfort, part chaos—and completely crave-worthy. Each sip is a texture-rich, sweet-savory bombshell. Crispy candied bacon crumbles meet the silky chill of vanilla, balanced with just a whisper of sea salt and a drizzle of deep amber maple syrup. Trust me, you won’t want to share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This over-the-top treat comes together with just a few pantry staples and a little love. Don’t skimp on the maple syrup or the bacon quality—they’re the soul of this shake.
- 4 slices thick-cut maple bacon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp bacon grease
- 1/8 cup real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Pinch of sea salt
- Vanilla ice cream (about 3 scoops)
- Whipped cream (for topping)
How to Make the Bacon Milkshake
- Candy the Bacon: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Lay out your bacon and coat with brown sugar. Bake until caramelized, about 15–18 minutes. Reserve two whole slices for garnish and crumble the rest.
- Scoop the Flavor: Carefully collect about 1 tbsp of bacon grease from the baking sheet. It sounds strange, but that little bit gives your shake the deep, smoky-salty flavor that makes it unforgettable.
- Blend It All: In a blender, combine the milk, maple syrup, pinch of sea salt, vanilla ice cream, bacon grease, and crumbled bacon. Blend until it’s silky smooth and indulgent—but still thick enough to need a spoon or straw.
- Garnish & Serve: Pour into a chilled glass. Top with whipped cream, a touch more maple syrup, and a candied bacon strip standing tall. It’s a whole vibe.
Pro Tips for Sweet-and-Salty Perfection
Want next-level results? Try these quick tweaks:
- Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup. You need that bold, earthy depth to play off the bacon.
- Keep your ice cream soft but not melted. It’ll blend faster and keep your shake from going watery.
- Try sea salt or flaky salt for that “chef’s kiss” finish—it makes the sweet pop.
Fun Variations
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I prep this ahead of time?
- It’s best fresh for that thick, creamy texture—but you can candy the bacon a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container.
- Can I skip the bacon grease?
- Sure! If you’d rather avoid it, substitute with 1 tsp melted butter plus a small dash of liquid smoke for that salty-savory essence.
- Is this milkshake gluten-free?
- Yes—just check that your bacon and other ingredients don’t contain hidden gluten (some flavored syrups or pre-cooked bacon might).
- Can I make it dairy-free?
- Absolutely! Use a rich dairy-free vanilla ice cream (like coconut or cashew base) and swap in almond or oat milk. It’ll still be dreamy.
- Does it work with other meats?
- If you’re adventurous, crispy prosciutto or turkey bacon could offer a different twist—though nothing quite hits like maple bacon.
Bacon Milkshake Recipe
Looking for a sweet and salty treat? This bacon milkshake recipe blends creamy vanilla ice cream with crispy thick-cut bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup. It's the ultimate indulgence that’ll satisfy every craving! Ready to try this decadent creation?
Ingredients
- 4 Slices Maple Bacon, Thick Cut
- 1/8 cup Real Maple Syrup
- Sea Salt
- 1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Bacon Grease
- 1/2 cup Vanilla Ice Cream
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
- Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place a row of brown sugar on the cookie sheet.
- Lay a strip of bacon over each row.
- Coat bacon with more brown sugar on the top side.
- Place in oven at 350 degrees and cook until bacon is extra crispy.
- Allow bacon to cool and then turn two strips of bacon into crumbles.
- This will leave you two strips to garnish each shake.
- Use a spoon to gather some of the bacon grease from the cookie sheet the bacon was cooked on.
- Pour milk, maple syrup, a pinch of sea salt, your bacon crumbles, and loads of vanilla ice-cream into the blender along with that big spoonful of bacon grease.
- Blend until creamy.
- Pour the shake into your class and garnish with whipped cream, drizzle with maple syrup and add a strip of candied bacon for garnish.
Notes
Expert Tips for the Perfect Bacon Milkshake
- Use Thick-Cut Bacon: Thicker bacon holds up better in the milkshake and provides a heartier, crunchier texture.
- Don’t Skimp on the Grease: While it might sound odd to include bacon grease in a milkshake, it’s what infuses the shake with that delicious bacon flavor.
- Sweet and Salty Balance: A pinch of sea salt helps balance the sweetness of the ice cream and maple syrup, making this milkshake a perfectly balanced indulgence.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 633Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 1510mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 0gSugar: 55gProtein: 23g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate.