1-Step 1: Prepare Your Banana Start by slicing your banana into 1-inch pieces. If you’re using a frozen banana, there’s no need to thaw it first just break it into chunks directly into the blender. The beauty of this recipe is that it works beautifully with both fresh and frozen bananas, though frozen ones create a thicker, more milkshake-like consistency.

2-Step 2: Add the Liquid Ingredients Pour in the milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Adding these ingredients before the ice cream ensures they blend thoroughly with the banana. The lemon juice might seem like an unusual addition, but it truly makes the banana flavor pop. Don’t worry you won’t taste lemon in the finished shake; you’ll just notice a brighter, more vibrant banana taste.

3-Step 3: Add the Ice Cream Add the 3 large scoops of vanilla bean ice cream last. This order matters because ice cream blends more efficiently when the liquid ingredients are already swirling in the blender. If you add ice cream first, it tends to stick to the blades and create uneven blending.

4-Step 4: Blend to Perfection Blend until smooth and creamy, typically about 1 minute depending on your blender’s power. Start on low speed to break up the banana chunks, then increase to high for a silky-smooth finish. If the mixture is too thick or cold to blend properly, add small splashes of milk a tablespoon at a time until the blender runs smoothly. The ideal consistency should be thick enough to coat a spoon but thin enough to drink through a straw. If it feels too runny, you can add a few ice cubes or a bit more frozen banana. Too thick? A splash more milk does the trick.

5-Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Divide the milkshake between two glasses. If you’re feeling fancy, top with a swirl of whipped cream and a few dried banana chips for that classic diner aesthetic. Serve immediately while cold and fresh for the best texture and taste.