Step 1: Gather all your ingredients and ensure your milk is well-chilled. For an extra frosty treat, chill your serving glass in the freezer for a few minutes.
Step 2: Pour the chilled whole milk into your blender. Adding the liquid first helps the blender blades move more efficiently.
Step 3: Add the scoops of vanilla ice cream on top of the milk. If your ice cream is very firm, let it soften for just a minute or two to make blending easier, but not too much.
Step 4: Add the pure vanilla extract to the blender. This enhances the vanilla flavor of your milkshake recipe.
Step 5: Secure the lid on your blender. Start blending on a low speed, then gradually increase to medium or high. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides with a spatula if necessary (ensure the blender is OFF when scraping). Avoid over-blending, which can melt the ice cream too much.
Step 6: If the milkshake is too thick for your liking, add another tablespoon or two of milk and blend briefly. If it's too thin, add another small scoop of ice cream and blend.
Step 7: Pour the freshly made vanilla milkshake into your chilled glass. Serve immediately with a straw and spoon, garnished with whipped cream, sprinkles, or a maraschino cherry if desired. Enjoy your perfect homemade milkshake recipe!