Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake

This Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake is an upgraded version of The Shake that I’ve been making nightly! It keeps the delicious, creamy chocolate flavor of the original recipe, but includes some changes I’ve made over the years to make it just.. better! This version is chocolate peppermint, piled with all of my current favorite toppings, and it’s the one I make every night and SWEAR by.

About This Recipe

Dessert is non-negotiable for me and it ALWAYS has been. That nightly sweet treat on our comfy chairs, kids in bed, Ross next to me (awake or snoring) matters. When I first started tracking macros, I really hated protein shakes… they were my LAST RESORT dessert. Always too watery, icy, bland, and way too protein-forward. If you’re skeptical, I get it.

Once I nailed this formula, I didn’t move on! It’s been YEARS. Even when I’m not tracking or eating in a deficit, this is still what I want every single night, and so many of you rave about The Shake too, so I know this one is doing something right!

Now, details matter. Not all protein shakes are created equal. 😂 I make this the same way every time (yes, even the ice), and the result is thick, chocolatey, peppermint-perfect, and actually satisfying. No watery texture and no “fake protein” taste.

I’ve made this shake an absurd number of nights in a row, and I’m not stopping!! If you’re looking for the OG Peanut Butter Chocolate Shake, check it out here!

Ingredients and Substitutions

This is the version I make every night now. Same simple base, just refined over time.

• Ice: I’ve learned I don’t actually love this shake as thick as possible. This amount keeps it creamy and spoonable, not icy.
• Milk: Unsweetened SILK cashew milk is my go-to. Silk is my favorite because you can’t beat the macros, and it seems to make things a little creamer and thicker than other plant milks!
• Protein powder: Use your favorite protein powder. My favorite is Active Stacks, and I add Clean Simple Eats White Chocolate Peppermint to this recipe too!
• Cocoa powder: Jet black cocoa is KEY for deep, rich chocolate (almost Oreo?) flavor. Regular cocoa works, but the jet black cocoa makes this taste like dessert. It’s special.
• Flake salt: Always. And yes, more than you think. It balances everything and makes the chocolate pop.
• Toppings: This is where it becomes my nightly dessert. My go-to’s are Catalina Crunch, powdered peanut butter, almond milk whipped cream, roasted cocoa nibs, corn chex cereal, flake salt, crumbled up Healthy Eating on the Go bars (use code LILLIE for 10% off!), and diced banana. Sometimes I throw in a handful of rice crispies too!

How To Make The Shake

1. Add all of the shake ingredients to the jar of your Ninja. Tip: I keep everything in a dedicated shake drawer right next to the blender to keep this EASY: proteins, cocoa, salt, everything. I even keep the measuring spoon in there because salt matters here.
2. Run a full blend cycle. I let it go all the way through, then sometimes add another 10–20 seconds depending on the ice, protein powders, and, honestly, the day. The key is watching it come together: the color gets lighter, the texture smooths out, and the shake visibly grows taller in the jar. If it’s icy, blend longer next time. If it’s too whipped or frothy, shorten the blend.
3. Pour into a large insulated cup and add toppings. I’ll be very clear here: powdered peanut butter stirred in JUST BARELY so it stays a little chunky is ALMOST mandatory. That part is magic.

The macros listed are for the shake itself, so you can decide what fits best for you. That said, I top mine generously because texture is the whole point. Crunch, creaminess, salt in every bite. I add toppings in the order listed and don’t mix or layer them in. I eat it by dunking a long spoon straight down the middle, trying to miss the toppings (you won’t). They stick to every bite anyway, and there’s always something good waiting at the bottom.

It’s a system. And I have no plans to change it.

Helpful Tips to Make the Perfect Protein Shake

1. Thickness & Texture: This shake has evolved. I used to chase MAX thickness, but I’ve learned I don’t actually love it that way. Frozen banana does the heavy lifting now, and it gives a creamy, dessert-like texture without feeling heavy. If your shake ever feels icy, blend a little longer next time. If it feels whipped or foamy, shorten the blend. Small timing changes make a BIG difference.
2. A Good Protein Powder: Protein quality matters here. My current FAVORITE is the chocolate protein from Active Stacks. It’s dairy-free, easy to digest, and actually tastes like chocolate milk instead of protein. I like pairing it with the Clean Simple Eats White Chocolate Peppermint protein because the flavor is truly unmatched. Mixing proteins keeps the flavor interesting without overcomplicating things with more added flavors or syrups.
3. Right Amount of Ice: Ice is not a “dump and hope” situation. I’ve found my sweet spot is right around what I use now, and staying consistent keeps this shake from being hit or miss.
4. Blender: I wish the blender didn’t matter, but it does. If your shake is watery, unfortunately that’s usually a blender situation and I hate to say it, but you might need a new one! Avoid the big classic ninja blender. It yields the iciest shakes. For me, the Ninja Twisti changed everything. It’s compact, easy to leave on the counter, and blends this shake evenly without overworking it.

For More Delicious Recipes

• Chunky Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Shake
• Macro-friendly Vanilla Protein Smoothie Bowl
• High Protein Berry Smoothie Bowl
• Healthy Chocolate Mint Protein “Ice Cream” Sundae
• Macro Friendly Warm Oatmeal Ice Cream Sundae

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