5 Ingredients or Fewer

Banana Cardamom Milkshake

June 20, 2011
4.3
3 Ratings
Photo by Bobbi Lin
  • Makes 1 large milkshake, or two smaller shakes
Author Notes

Recently, I got an email from my friend Alexandra. She was planning to make banana pudding for a party over the weekend and wondered if I thought it was a good idea to add some cardamom. I enthusiastically gave her two thumbs up, and then proceeded to obsess over the idea for the next few days. Banana and cardamom seemed like such a winning combination -- I knew there must be other ways to put it to good use. After some thought, and inspired in part by our Soda Fountain contest, I decided to try making a banana cardamom milkshake. Happily, it didn't disappoint. Feel free to adjust the cardamom to your taste, as well as the milk to ice cream ratio -- I went for a shake that's not too thick, reminiscent of a smoothie but richer. —Merrill Stubbs

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 large banana, peeled
  • 2 scoops good vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Seeds from 4 cardamom pods, crushed
Directions
  1. Chill a tall glass. Blend everything together and serve with a wedge of lime or chunk of banana.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • GF
    GF
  • Dayn Riegel
    Dayn Riegel
  • aysegul
    aysegul
  • Pauline Black
    Pauline Black
  • Eric Richard
    Eric Richard

25 Reviews

anw64681 August 12, 2019
is this recipe five years old?! yikes. i am late to the game.

regardless, very tasty! subbed yogurt for the ice cream, and added a little honey to make up for the lost sweetness. makes for a decent breakfast, too! it also reminds me of a something i got at tiffin asha here in portland--all recommended!
 
GF May 29, 2016
Excellent recipe. (I discovered last night that it works with strawberries, as well). If you are using ground cardamom just experiment until you find your comfort level. A good sprinkle on top is usually sufficient, but if I start to miss the flavor I am prone to adding more cardamom mid-shake. I sometimes add more lime as well, as it neutralizes a strong banana taste and gives the blend a "sherbet" flavor. You won't find yourself dallying over this milkshake, regardless. It is irresistible. Thank you, Merrill!
 
Dayn R. November 9, 2015
Just made. Used two medium organic bananas, Publix brand organic vanilla ice cream and Silk Vanilla Cashew Milk. Tasted great. Will experiment and report back. Thanks! Oldest daughter added ground nutmeg on top and before I knew it the drink was gone!
 
Nora October 7, 2014
what would the translation be to ground cardamom??
 
Emily S. June 6, 2018
I'm thinking about trying this too. Since I love cardamom, but wouldn't want to overdo it, I'd start with 1/8 teaspoon. Then taste after blending, and you could add a bit more if desired.
 
aysegul August 8, 2014
Sounds yummy and also it is so nutritious!
I'll try it soon!
 
Pauline B. May 4, 2014
This sounds wonderful! I just bought cardamom after having had a fabulous cake with cardamom in a vegetarian restaurant (wish I knew what else was in that cake! It tasted almost floral!).
I decided to make my own cake with just a box of white cake mix, a small can of pumpkin, and about 2 tablespoons of ground cardamom. No eggs, milk, or anything else. Just baked as directed! :)
I fell in love with cardamom, and can't wait to try this yummy sounding milkshake!
 
tamater S. April 2, 2014
Had cardamom pods I didn't know what to with, read AntoniaJames comment about the frozen bananas which I keep in the freezer, and subbed a high quality thick yogurt for the ice-cream….WoW!!!
Thanks - I'll have fun surprising my guy with this one.
 
Eric R. November 4, 2013
can I sub ground cardamon and if so, how much?
 
SailNE August 27, 2013
I love the cylinder glass that you served this yummy milkshake in. Any idea where I could find them? Crate & Barrel used to carry them, but they've been discontinued for quite some time.
 
Merrill S. September 1, 2013
Yes, they're designed by Jasper Morrison for Alessi and can be found here (as well as many other online sources): http://www.switchmodern.com/Glass-Family-Glassware/Alessi-Glassware-Glass-Family-Water-Glass-Set-of-4.asp
 
AntoniaJames June 18, 2012
Excellent recipe! It was unusually hot on Friday and Saturday, so I whipped one up on Friday, using less than a scoop of ice cream because that's all I had. (I froze my banana pieces, however.) Scrumptious! On Saturday, I made another, this time with frozen cubes of unsweetened homemade vanilla almond milk and again, frozen banana chunks. I found it even more refreshing on a hot, hot day! (Did you know that Harold McGee pointed out in one of his earlier works that you actually need a fair bit of water in frozen desserts involving fruit, to allow you to taste the flavors better? I think he's right! The almond milk really focused the other flavors.) It's seasonally cold today, but when it warms up again, I'm putting this wonderful concoction into popsicle molds. ;o)
 
Franko May 22, 2012
Outstanding!!
 
Merrill S. May 22, 2012
So glad you liked it!
 
EmilyC January 25, 2012
I haven't met many milkshakes I don't like, but this is a really great flavor combination. I can also attest that chocolate banana cardamom milkshakes are pretty delicious, too!
 
Mandy C. January 14, 2012
I love Cardamom and will definitely try this and maybe with a touch of maple. :)
 
Mandy C. January 14, 2012
I love Cardamom and will definitely try this and maybe with a touch of maple. :)
 
Merrill S. January 14, 2012
Great idea!
 
Yogicfioodie November 18, 2011
I just downed a whole glass. My girls are sipping as I type and I'm gonna get up and get some more for moi.

I had to substitue to soy milk and soy icecream for today, but I'm definately gonna try with cow's milk next time. *I mean tomorrow!

It's refreshing, eloquent and making me wanting for more~!!
 
lorigoldsby June 27, 2011
I think cardamon is one of those miracle spices that is so very versatile! Inspired! I will now add it to my banana cake...wish I had thought of it years ago!
 
michelle_brown June 26, 2011
I am sipping this as we speak - it is perfect and balanced. Enough said!
 
Another good trick is to freeze peeled bananas, and to whip them up with some milk. The texture is just like ice cream, but significantly healthier!
 
mrslarkin June 20, 2011
Yum! I first tried the banana/cardamom combo in thirschfeld's pie. Awesome. Can I use ripe frozen bananas? I've got a surplus. Looks like Walker deserves a milkshake!! What happened??
 
Merrill S. June 22, 2011
Sure, why not? Poor Walker was in a scooter accident a few minutes earlier -- but he perked up quickly enough!
 
I will be making this. Soon, very soon! = D