Thin Mint Cookie Shake

It's girl scout cookie time again, and we just got our boxes from our adorable neighbor, Kaisa. Of course we all know that no girl scout cookie buying is complete without at least 1 box of thin mints (or 10). Normally, I chuck my cookie boxes in the freezer and enjoy them ice cold and often. There has long been an understanding that the freezer provides the most delicious method for storing thin mints. Only the thin mints, though. It would be weird to eat a frozen samoa. My daughter apparently didn't get the memo because I found a box of trefoils in there too. It wasn't so much the fact that they were in the freezer that bothered me but, I have to wonder about anyone who chooses trefoils as their girl scout cookie of choice. I just don't think she knows any better. There comes a time in everyones life for learning such important matters.

The other day I pinned a recipe for a cookies and cream shake. I was really surprised to see that it had been repinned several times in just a few minutes since shake recipes are pretty simple. Throw some ice cream, Oreos and milk in a blender and your set to go. I only pinned it in the first place because this particular recipe called for 1/8 tsp of mint extract and I wanted to remember it for later. Anyone ever had Ben and Jerry's mint chocolate cookie ice cream? It's basically the same thing and, it's delicious. However, I had this box of thin mints glaring me down every time I opened the freezer, and wouldn't you know it, sitting right next to the vanilla ice cream. Mint cookies, vanilla ice cream, a bit of mint extract to help it along and creamy coconut milk to tie it all together? Um, yes please!

He likes it

Now, the best thing about this recipe is you can customize it to fit your own diets using the same quantities. Use either vanilla ice cream, vanilla frozen yogurt, soy or coconut ice cream for your base. Regular milk, non-fat, soy, coconut, or almond milk can be used to thin. You can leave the mint extract in or take it out completely. Obviously, the point of the recipe is to use thin mints, but if you have already devoured your boxes for the season, Oreos will always work, but use four instead of eight.

Thin Mint Cookie Shake

makes 1 shake (or two small)

2 cups vanilla ice cream, or vanilla frozen yogurt

1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened coconut milk, but any will do)

8 thin mint cookies

1/8 teaspoon mint extract

Blend everything in a blender on medium speed until throughly combined. Pour out, stick in a big straw and smile.

the 1/8 teaspoon of mint extract is very faint and just helps to bring the mint from the cookies forward, and I think it makes the drink extra yummy.