This cookies and cream protein shake is thick, creamy, and tastes like a milkshake, but it’s packed with protein and comes together in just 5 minutes! Whether you need a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a post-workout treat, this easy shake satisfies a sweet tooth while helping you stay full and energized.
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Before You Get Started
A few quick tips will help you make the best cookies and cream protein shake:
- Use a vanilla or cookies-and-cream protein powder for the classic flavor.
- A higher ice-to-milk ratio creates a thick, milkshake-like texture.
- Add the crushed cookie pieces at the end so they don’t completely disappear into the shake.
How to Make a Cookies and Cream Protein Shake
This easy protein shake comes together in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Blend the Base
Combine the protein powder, ice, milk, and salt in a blender.
** Tip: You’ll need a scoop of vanilla protein powder or cake batter protein powder. You can use any variety/brand that suits your dietary needs and taste preferences.
Don’t want to use protein powder?
You can substitute with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese instead. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, and you might need to add some extra sweetener and vanilla extract to taste.
Blend until the mixture is thick, smooth, and creamy. The goal is a texture that’s closer to a milkshake than a thin smoothie.
Start with less milk and add more only as needed. It’s much easier to thin a shake than to thicken it.
** Tip: The pinch of salt might seem unusual, but it helps bring out the sweetness and add depth to the cookie flavor without making the shake taste salty.
Step 2: Add the Cookie Crumbs
Add the crushed chocolate graham cracker to the blender.
Pulse just a few times until the crumbs are incorporated throughout the shake.
This gives you that classic cookies-and-cream flavor and texture without the extra sugar and calories of sandwich cookies.
Don’t overblend at this stage. You want little bits of cookie throughout the shake.
Step 3: Adjust the Consistency
Before pouring the shake, check the texture.
If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk. If it’s too thin, blend in a little more ice.
Different protein powders absorb liquid differently, so you may need to make small adjustments each time.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Pour the shake into a glass and serve immediately.
If you’d like, garnish with whipped cream, extra cookie crumbs, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
For the most milkshake-like experience, serve it with fun straws and a spoon!
Oh wow! My husband and I love it and we tried this recipe and it turned out to be super delicious. Thanks for sharing.
– Angela
Easy Ways to Customize the Shake
This recipe is easy to adapt depending on your preferences and nutritional goals.
- Add frozen banana for extra creaminess and natural sweetness.
- Blend in peanut butter or almond butter for healthy fats.
- Add a handful of spinach for extra nutrition.
- Use chocolate protein powder for a richer flavor.
- Add 1-2 drops of peppermint extract for a mint cookies-and-cream version.
- Blend in flaxseed or chia seeds for extra fiber.
Serving Suggestions
This shake makes a great snack on its own, but I usually pair it with something else when serving it for breakfast.
Try it with:
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Protein shakes are always best enjoyed immediately after blending.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 24 hours.
Before Serving: Shake or stir well before drinking.
Freezing: Freeze the shake in popsicle molds for a high-protein frozen treat.
I made my smoothie with chocolate protein powder, a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder as per your notes, ice, unsweetened coconut almond milk, a few slices of frozen banana (and the salt) and it was very delicious!!!
– Donna
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a cookies and cream protein shake without protein powder?
Yes. Substitute 6-8 ounces of vanilla Greek yogurt for the protein powder. If using plain Greek yogurt, add sweetener to taste.
How can I make my protein shake thicker?
Use more ice, less milk, or add frozen banana.
What can I use instead of chocolate graham crackers?
Chocolate Teddy Grahams, chocolate cookie thins, chocolate animal crackers, or even an Oreo will work.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use your favorite dairy-free protein powder and plant-based milk.
More High Protein Options
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Cookies and Cream Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 ½ cups ice (or more as needed to thicken)
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla cashew milk, almond milk, or regular milk of choice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 chocolate graham cracker, crushed
- Optional garnish: whipped topping, additional graham cracker, or chocolate syrup
Instructions
- Combine protein powder, ice, milk, and salt in a high speed blender.
- Puree until thick and smooth. Add extra milk to thin to reach the desired consistency, or a little extra ice to make it thicker.
- Add crushed graham cracker, pulse a few times just to combine, and serve immediately.
- Garnish with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
- Vanilla, cookies-and-cream, or cake batter protein powder all work well.
- Start with less milk and add more as needed.
- Add more ice for a thicker shake.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of protein powder if preferred.
- Chocolate Teddy Grahams or chocolate cookie thins can replace the graham cracker.
- Plant-based protein powder and non-dairy milks work well for a dairy-free shake.
- Add frozen banana for extra creaminess.
- Blend in peanut butter or almond butter for a more filling shake.
- Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 24 hours.
- For purposes of calculating nutritional information, I used Quest Vanilla Milkshake protein powder in this recipe.
Nutrition
Originally published in April, 2015, this post was updated in July, 2026.
All of your smoothies and shakes look wonderful, Blair. I just got a new blender, and I can’t wait to try some! 🙂
That’s awesome, Dee! Enjoy that blender — I know you’ll love these treats! 🙂
I think I love you! 🙂 this looks amazing. I normally take my protein shake by itself but this is perfect.
Hah! I hope that you enjoy it! I think I’m on a mission to create as many jazzed-up protein shakes as possible. 🙂
This looks so good! Your photos are amazing, too!
Thank you so much, Lindsay! 🙂
Oh my goodness this just looks delicious! I love it 🙂
Thanks, Kayla!
Blair, I do not have words to explain how tasty does your shake look. I wish I had time to make such shake every time I go to gym =(
Thanks so much, Kate! I hope that you have a chance to try one soon! 🙂
Great post.
Thanks, Patti!
o wow! my husband and i love it and we tried this recipe and it turned out to be super delicious. Thanks for sharing
This sounds fabulous! Would you please share what the salt is used for? I think I like the idea but I’m not sure if it will taste salty.
Thanks.
Donna
Hi, Donna! I find that the salt just helps the smoothie not taste “bland.” It’s kind of like adding salt to cookies, cakes or other baked goods. It brings out the sweetness, but doesn’t actually make the smoothie taste salty. That said, if you’re unsure, you can just leave out the salt, taste it, and if you think it needs the salt add a touch at the very end and give it one more whirl to blend. Enjoy!
Hi Blair, thanks for your quick response! I used the salt. I thought of how I use salt when I bake cookies and didn’t realize it could do the same thing – “to bring out the sweetness”. I made my smoothie with chocolate protein powder, a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder as per your notes, ice, unsweetened coconut almond milk, a few slices of frozen banana (and the salt) and it was very delicious!!! Donna
That’s great, Donna! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
This is not good at all. In fact, it tastes really bad. You need to add something else to the recipe. Otherwise it’s just a protein shake, made thicker. Which makes protein shakes even more gross than with just water. Who is giving all of these 5 star reviews?
I’m sorry that you didn’t enjoy it, Jess. But yes — it’s still a protein shake, so if you don’t care for the taste or texture of protein shakes, then this probably isn’t the recipe for you. 🙁 It helps to use a protein powder that you like, and that can take some experimenting to find one that you enjoy. Again, sorry it wasn’t a hit. 🙁
wonderful recipe, thanks for making protein friendly milkshakes. i agree with what you said in another reply, finding a protein powder you enjoy is key.
Thanks, Kay!
How much Greek yogurt would you use if you can’t use Protein Powder?
Hi, Nanc! I would start with about a 6-ounce container of Greek yogurt. Since the protein powder adds not only thickness, but also flavor to the smoothie, you’ll want to use a sweetened vanilla Greek yogurt or use a plain Greek yogurt and add your own sweetener, to taste. Hope you enjoy!