Keep the biscuit contrast

Cookies and cream becomes surprisingly smooth if everything is blended together from the beginning. That may be pleasant, but it removes the contrast between vanilla and biscuit. Making the base first lets you decide how much texture remains.

Sandwich biscuit filling contributes sugar and richness, so extra syrup is unnecessary. Weigh biscuits rather than relying on their number: sizes and filling quantities differ substantially between packets.

Choose a spoon or straw

Small pieces fit through a wide straw; larger pieces need a spoon. Decide before crushing. A narrow straw may clog even when the creamy base is well blended.

Biscuit crumbs absorb liquid as they stand. A shake that pours easily from the jug can thicken a few minutes later, particularly when the crumbs are finely ground. Serve promptly rather than adding more biscuits to an already dense mixture.

Add the topping last

Dry crumbs soften as soon as they touch the shake. Reserve them until the last moment instead of decorating glasses well ahead of serving. Keep crumbs in a dry bowl between batches.

Do not process dry biscuits in a blender unless its instructions allow dry ingredients. Hand crushing offers better control over size and avoids coating the jug with dust. The final pulses only need to distribute pieces.

What you'll need

  • 280 g vanilla ice cream
  • 170 ml cold milk
  • 50 g chocolate sandwich biscuits
  • 2 tbsp whipped cream, optional

Let's make it

  1. Break the biscuits in a bowl with the back of a spoon. Aim for fine crumbs mixed with small pieces, not uniform powder. Reserve one tablespoon.
  2. Blend milk and scoopable ice cream briefly into a smooth base.
  3. Add the remaining biscuits and use two or three short pulses. Stop while dark flecks and tiny pieces remain.
  4. Pour into two glasses, add optional cream and reserved crumbs, and serve immediately.

Make it your own

Plain cocoa biscuits give a less creamy biscuit flavour.

Gluten-free biscuits can work but may absorb liquid differently; add them at the end.

Keeping it fresh

Serve freshly blended. Refrigerate an untouched extra portion promptly and use within 24 hours, expecting completely softened biscuits. Keep spare dry crumbs sealed separately.

Allergen notes

Contains milk and usually wheat/gluten. Biscuits may contain soya, egg or other allergens; check labels.