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Hi Bold Bakers!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My creamy Chocolate Malt is an old-fashioned soda fountain favorite that’s every bit as delicious today! With just three simple ingredients and 5 minutes, you can make a thick, perfectly balanced chocolate malt milkshake with an irresistible toasty taste.
- Classic ice cream shop flavor: Chocolate and malted milk powder create a rich shake with deep flavor.
- Only 3 ingredients: A short ingredient list creates this indulgent frozen drink.
- Easy to customize: Make it extra malty, use homemade ice cream, or add your favorite toppings.
- Timeless treat: Whether it’s kids having their first chocolate malt, or adults rediscovering a classic favorite, this family-friendly treat is milkshake magic.
- Ready in minutes! Just blend, pour, and enjoy.
As a professional chef, I know that sometimes the simplest recipes have the best flavor. In this recipe, malt powder turns an ordinary chocolate milkshake into an ice cream treat with an unforgettably rich, deliciously complex taste. If you’ve never had a Chocolate Malt before, imagine a chocolate milkshake with a layer of toasty, rich, almost caramel-like flavor. Whether it’s your first Chocolate Malt or you’ve been craving one for years, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious and easy this recipe is.
My top tip here is don’t over-blend the mixture. Blend just until fully combined, and then stop while it’s thick and creamy. Mixing it too much can actually melt the ice cream, resulting in a thinner texture. For more malted treats, you’ll love my Classic Vanilla Malt, Raspberry Malt, and Banana Caramel Malt.
Bold Bakers Loved This!
“I love how easy and quick this recipe is, Gemma! Perfect for when the kids are craving something sweet. We made it together, and everyone loved it!” — Sarah
“Such a classic! The malt adds such a unique flavor. I’ve been trying to recreate this taste for years—this recipe nailed it. Thanks, Gemma!” — Kye
“This was so fun to make with my little one. We didn’t have to turn on the oven, and it tasted incredible. Definitely adding this to our regular treat rotation!” — Emily. W
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 7/18/2026, to include NEW step-by-step photography, updated introduction, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Contents
- What is a Malt?
- Tools You Need
- Key Ingredients
- How to Make a Malt
- Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- What is the Difference Between a Chocolate Shake and Chocolate Malt?
- FAQs
- More Milkshake Recipes
What is a Malt?
A malt is a rich, creamy milkshake made with malted milk powder, offering a unique flavor that sets it apart from regular milkshakes. It combines sweetness with a nutty, caramel-like undertone, giving it a nostalgic, old-fashioned taste. Malt is a grain, typically barley, that has sprouted and then dried and ground up to make malt powder.
- Distinctive Flavor: Malt powder adds a nutty, toasty, and slightly savory flavor.
- Creamy Texture: Blended with milk and ice cream for a smooth, thick consistency.
- Classic Appeal: Brings back memories of soda fountains and retro diners.
- Versatile Base: Pairs perfectly with chocolate, vanilla, or other ice cream flavors.
Malt is a grain, typically barley, that has sprouted and then dried and ground up to make malt powder. This powder is used to make whiskey, beer, and bread, among other things. It’s also used to make malted milk powder.
Tools You Need
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Blender
- Immersion Blender (as an alternative to a traditional blender)
- Tall Glasses
Key Ingredients
Whole Milk
- Acts as the liquid base for the milkshake, helping to blend the other ingredients into a smooth consistency.
- Substitutes:
- Almond Milk (for a dairy-free option)
- Oat Milk (for a dairy-free, creamier option)
- Heavy Cream (for a richer, thicker milkshake)
Malt Powder
- Adds a unique, nutty, caramel-like flavor to the milkshake. This is the defining characteristic of a malted milkshake.
- Substitutes:
- Malted Milk Powder (can work but will be sweeter and creamier due to the added powdered milk)
- Vanilla or Chocolate Powder (for a simpler, less complex flavor, but the result will not be a true “malt”)
Chocolate Ice Cream
- The main flavor base of the shake, contributing both chocolate flavor and creaminess.
- Substitutes:
- Vanilla Ice Cream (for a classic vanilla malt)
- Strawberry Ice Cream (for a strawberry variation)
- Dairy-Free Ice Cream (for a non-dairy version)
How to Make a Malt
- Combine Ingredients: In a blender add the milk, malt powder and ice cream.
- Blend: Blend on high speed until fully combined.
- Serve: Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream. Enjoy immediately.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Chill Your Glasses: For an extra indulgent experience, chill glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before filling them.
- Make it richer. Add a scoop of heavy cream or a little bit of sweetened condensed milk for a richer, creamier frozen beverage.
- Go for extra chocolate flavor. Drizzle a touch of Homemade Chocolate Syrup into your glass before pouring in the shake.
- Add crunch. Top with crushed cookies, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of malted milk powder for added texture and flavor.
- Use an immersion blender. If you don’t have a traditional blender, you can use an immersion blender to make this chocolate malted milkshake.
- Before pouring the milkshake into glasses, take a quick taste! If you want a more malty flavor, add one more tablespoon of malt powder and give the shake a quick blend.
- Freeze leftovers. If you have any leftover milkshake, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it to make milkshake ice cubes for your next drink.
- Add a pinch of salt. It balances out the sweetness and enhances the choco malt flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead Instructions
- You can prep the base by combining the milk, malt powder, and ice cream in the blender and storing the blender in the fridge for up to 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, simply blend it until smooth.
- You can also pre-scoop the ice cream into small portions and store them in the freezer for easy use.
How to store leftovers
- Store leftover milkshake in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week. Note that the texture may change after freezing.
- When you’re ready to enjoy the leftover milkshake, let it sit out for a few minutes, then stir to restore the creamy texture.
- You can also pour any leftover milkshake into an ice cube tray and freeze. These can be used to make quick milkshake “ice cubes” for your next drink!
What is the Difference Between Chocolate Shake VS Chocolate Malt?
Malted milk powder has been paired with chocolate milkshakes for so long that some people use the terms interchangeably, but chocolate milkshakes and chocolate malts are not the same drink.
Chocolate milkshakes are simply chocolate ice cream blended with milk — what makes a malt a malt is the inclusion of malted milk powder.
FAQs
Where Can I Find Malted Milk Powder?
You can typically find malted milk powder in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. The brands your store will most likely carry are Nestle, Carnation, and Ovaltine.
How do I make this milkshake extra thick?
To make your milkshake thicker, use less milk or add more ice cream. You can also freeze the ice cream ahead of time for a firmer base.
How can I make this recipe less sweet?
If you want a malt milkshake that’s not as sweet, reduce the amount of malt powder or opt for frozen yogurt in place of ice cream.
Can I make this malt recipe vegan?
Yes, you can make this malt recipe vegan.
- Simply use a plant-based ice cream and a non-dairy milk such as almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk to make this recipe completely vegan-friendly.
Can I add mix-ins to this Chocolate Malt recipe?
Absolutely! You can add mix-ins like crushed cookies, chocolate chips, fruit (like bananas or strawberries), or a teaspoon of cocoa powder to make your milkshake even more fun and flavorful.
Try More Milkshakes!
- Incredible Banana Caramel Malt
- Creamy & Classic Vanilla Malt
- Homemade Raspberry Malt
- Top 5 Homemade Milkshake Flavors
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Milkshake
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 7/18/2026, to include NEW step-by-step photography, updated introduction, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Try These Recipes!
How to Make a Chocolate Malt
Ingredients
- ½ cup (4 fl oz/120 ml) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons malt powder
- 6 scoops (15 oz/425 g) chocolate ice cream
- Whipped cream , for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender add the milk, malt powder and ice cream.
- Blend on high speed until fully combined.
- Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Chill Your Glasses: For an extra indulgent experience, chill glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before filling them.
- Make it richer. Add a scoop of heavy cream or a little bit of sweetened condensed milk for a richer, creamier frozen beverage.
- Go for extra chocolate flavor. Drizzle a touch of Homemade Chocolate Syrup into your glass before pouring in the shake.
- Add crunch. Top with crushed cookies, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of malted milk powder for added texture and flavor.
- Use an immersion blender. If you don’t have a traditional blender, you can use an immersion blender to make this chocolate malted milkshake.
- Before pouring the milkshake into glasses, take a quick taste! If you want a more malty flavor, add one more tablespoon of malt powder and give the shake a quick blend.
- Freeze leftovers. If you have any leftover milkshake, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it to make milkshake ice cubes for your next drink.
- Add a pinch of salt. It balances out the sweetness and enhances the choco malt flavor.
Hi Gemma. Living in Catalonia where malted drinks aren’t a thing. Do you recommend any particular brand of malt powder that I could buy easily from Amazon, for example, or is any brewing malt powder suitable?
Hi Gemma, great idea! Looking forward to trying this once I make chocolate ice cream and get the malt powder. Should it be diastatic or non-diastatic malt powder? Thank you!!