Date Shake with Cinnamon & Malt

This twist on the classic Palm Springs date shake brings in flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg & malt. This sweetly spiced date milkshake made without ice cream is thick & creamy yet surprisingly healthy.

This recipe was first published in April 2015 and updated in May 2022 with additional images, step by step instructions, expert tips and frequently asked questions sections.

California, I have to hand it to you, the Palm Springs date shake is one of your most wonderful creations. I’ve been partial to the occasional date milkshake for years. In part, this is because my version is a healthy treat but it’s mainly because these shakes are so utterly, fantastically and exceptionally delicious. I’m not exaggerating, I love them. A lot. And so do my kids.

As soon as I discovered date shakes in 2015 the midweek squabble between my children (wishing for a treat drink) and myself (wanting to serve up a healthy milk drink to help their young bodies grow strong) was obliterated.

Granted, dates do contain sugar, even if it is natural, so I wouldn’t want to serve this up every day. However, as a once-a-week pleasure I can think of no better drink to keep both camps happy than a date milkshake.

What is a Palm Springs Date Shake?

The classic date shake recipe is simply a mix of dates, milk and ice cream whizzed up together to produce one awesome drink that is sweet, creamy and, I might add, rather addictive for anybody with a sweet tooth.

According to California legend, the date shake was invented in the 1930s by a date farmer in the Palm Springs area of the Coachella Valley in California. They were all the rage for quite some time but have become harder to find on restaurant and diner menus as time has moved on. So, it’s just as well they are very quick, simple and cheap to make at home.

Why this version is worth making

My version of the date milkshake is so much healthier than the famous Palm Springs date shake as it is made without ice cream. This means that this version contains far less sugar and unhealthy fat than most versions.

Dates are naturally very sweet and they also thicken the drink very nicely indeed. There really is no need for ice cream in my opinion.

Of course, I’ve also seen fit to monkey around with the flavour a little, adding in a gentle buzz of sweet baking spices and some heavenly nostalgic malt flavour.

Oh, and chocoholics are well-catered for with my healthy milkshake recipe too. The addition of a little unsweetened cocoa powder delivers a great chocolate flavour whilst maintaining the wholesome nature of this date milkshake.

Ingredients

Dates are central to any date shake recipe. Deglet Noor or Medjool are my favourites as they are delightfully soft and have great taste. Deglet Noor dates have a subtly nutty edge to their flavour whereas Medjool dates lean towards notes of caramel. Whichever variety you select, I highly recommend using pitted dates so you don’t have to mess around de-stoning them.

As for the milk, I always use whole (full-fat) milk for drinks like this to ensure the beverage delivers a well-rounded creamy and indulgent flavour. For those wishing to cut a few calories or fat from this healthy date milkshake, semi-skimmed milk could be used instead. But this is where I draw the line – I’m afraid I cannot advocate the use of skimmed milk. It’s just too watery and lacklustre in all respects.

In place of vanilla ice cream, I’ve added vanilla extract. It’s a lovely and simple way to replicate the flavour of the original date milkshake in a healthier fashion.

I’ve also spiced up my version – literally – with a few additional ingredients:

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Malted milk powder (such as Horlicks)

I just love these flavours generally and they all pair with the dates so well, but they can be left out if desired.

I used Horlicks (original) for the malted milk powder but Ovaltine works well too. If you prefer to use malt extract dissolve 1 tablespoon in a small amount of just-boiled water to stop it from sticking to the base of the blender.

The optional addition of a little unsweetened cocoa powder transforms this drink into a chocolate date shake. It’s a healthier way to tackle a chocolate craving.

How to make a date shake

1. Optional: soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them. Drain well.
2. Put all ingredients (with optional ice) into the jug of a blender.
3. Secure the lid and blitz until smooth.
4. Pour into glasses and serve.

Expert tips

• Always use pitted dates for this recipe and double-check each one before dropping them into the blender as any rogue stones will damage blender blades.
• Whether or not to soak the dates prior to blending them into the milkshake is entirely at your discretion. If the dates feel hard then I recommend you take this step. If your dates are soft then it’s fine to skip this step for speed if desired.
• The classic Palm Springs date shake is notoriously super sweet. Use fewer dates to reduce the sweetness of this version.
• To be in keeping with the flavour of the original Palm Springs date milkshake omit the cinnamon, nutmeg and malted milk powder.
• A high-speed blender gives the best results.
• Less powerful blenders may not puree the dates fully. Once blended and poured the dates may settle at the bottom of the glass over time. The drink will still be darn tasty, but a spoon (or a wide straw) will be required to scoop up those delicious dates loitering at the bottom of the glass.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

• Vegan date shake – although my recipe uses standard cow’s milk, feel free to substitute perhaps almond milk, oat milk or coconut milk for a delicious dairy-free date shake.
• Go traditional – add some vanilla ice cream to make the less healthy authentic Palm Springs date shake. It will be super thick, sweet and creamy.
• Chocolate date milkshake – for those in need of a chocolate hit, I’ve also made a version just for you that includes cinnamon and nutmeg and malt and chocolate. This thought makes me so happy. The details are in the recipe card.
• Coffee date milkshake – those in need of a sweet and cool caffeine fix need this one in their lives.
• Gingerbread date shake – who knew there could even be a festive version of this drink?
• Boozy date shake – oh, um, a splash of rum or bourbon along with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream works a treat for grown-ups. Around 20ml per serving suffices.
• Peanut butter date milkshake – add 1 tablespoon per serving for a version so utterly American and brazenly scrumptious.
• Tahini date milkshake – deliciously different.

More slurpable shakes to try out

Have you made this healthy date milkshake recipe? Which version did you go for – with or without the chocolate? I’d love to know how you got along so please leave a comment, rate the recipe or post your creation on Instagram, tagging me @jane_littlesugarsnaps.