If you've ever been out for ice cream, you've probably noticed that you can pick between chocolate malts and chocolate shakes. But what exactly is a chocolate malt? Does it use chocolate malt balls, malted barley, whey, some kind of artificial flavor, or something else? The unique flavor of chocolate malts can be explained as more than the type of corn syrup used, at least if the malt is made authentically. Shakes and malts are two distinct desserts. Let's take a look at what makes them tick.
First, let's learn what a chocolate malt is. Because let's be real, we all know what a milkshake is. A chocolate malt is also a milkshake made with chocolate ice cream. You can even use vanilla ice cream and add chocolate syrup to it to get the chocolate flavor. What makes it different is the extra step. You need to add malted milk powder to round out the drink.
"Malted milk powder was invented by a man named William Horlick in 1873 as a much more manageable means of using malt rather than the very thick malt syrup," Piedmont Grocery store shared. "Malted milk powder is made by sprouting and drying a grain, typically barley, and mixing it with powdered milk and wheat flour. Sometimes sugar and chocolate flavoring are also added to the powder. While you may not often order a malted milkshake, you may be familiar with the flavor thanks to Whoppers or Ovaltine," myrecipes.com added.
Much like peanut butter, malted milk powder makes any dessert a little richer, since it's like dumping extra whole milk into your already rich milkshake. An extra cup of milk can give a milkshake a depth of flavor more significant than extra sugar, making malted milk powder the perfect garnish.
If you don't care for milkshakes, you can use the malt powder to make malted milk balls as well. It's basically like biting down on a rich chocolate ball.
A regular milkshake is quite easy to make. All you need is ice cream, milk and any additional flavoring. I recommend you try it with milk chocolate (or dark chocolate) because it's delicious.
Here's a solid recipe from Webstarant Store.
- First add vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and milk into a blender. Mix until creamy, but still thick.
- Add malted milk powder.
- Blend till the powder is thoroughly mixed in.
- Rim the inside of your cups with chocolate syrup and pour the malt mixture into the glass.
- Top with your favorite toppings. They recommend malt candy and whipped cream, with a cherry on top.
Products featured on Wide Open Eats are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
