This high-protein vanilla shake is creamy, delicious, and packed with protein—but you’d never guess the secret ingredient! Made with farmer cheese, kefir, vanilla protein powder, and a frozen banana, this easy protein shake has the consistency of a classic milkshake without needing milk or ice cream.
And if you’re looking for a fun Halloween treat, turn the glass into Jack Skellington for the cutest spooky milkshake!
With 55 grams of protein in the entire recipe, this is one of those recipes that feels like a treat but has plenty of protein to keep you satisfied.
Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Milkshake
This vanilla protein milkshake is:
- High in protein
- Made with farmer cheese and kefir
- Creamy
- Naturally sweetened with banana and a little maple syrup
- Easy to make in a blender
- A fun, kid-friendly treat
Ingredients You'll Need
Farmer Cheese
Farmer cheese is the secret to the creamy texture and high protein content in this milkshake. It’s mild, slightly tangy, and blends surprisingly well into smoothies and shakes. I used Lifeway Farmer Cheese.
Kefir
Kefir adds a little tang and contributes live cultures, making it great for gut-health. I used Lifeway Kefir.
Vanilla Protein Powder
Use your favorite vanilla protein powder. Since protein powders vary in sweetness and protein content, you may want to adjust the maple syrup to taste. I used Peachie Spoon Vanilla Protein. You can use my code HEALTHYHOLME12 to save 12%!
Frozen Banana
The frozen banana adds natural sweetness and helps create a thick, creamy milkshake texture without needing a ton of ice.
Maple Syrup
Just a tablespoon is enough to add a little extra sweetness. You can adjust this depending on how sweet your banana and protein powder are.
Vanilla Extract
A little extra vanilla gives this shake that classic vanilla milkshake flavor.
Salt
Don’t skip the tiny pinch of salt! It helps balance the sweetness and enhances the vanilla flavor.
How to Make the Jack Skellington Glass
You don’t need to be artistic to make this Jack Skellington shake! 
The easiest way to get his face just right is to use a stencil.
- Print or draw a Jack Skellington face that fits the size of your glass. This is the stencil that I created to use.
- Place the stencil inside the glass, with the design facing outward so you can see it through the glass.
- Trace the face on the outside of the glass using a black Sharpie. The glass makes it easy to follow the lines of the stencil.
- Remove the stencil and fill your glass with the vanilla protein milkshake.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your spooky creation!
A Few Tips
- Use a clear, smooth-sided glass so the stencil is easy to see.
- A black Sharpie works best for getting those bold Jack Skellington lines. Don’t worry – the sharpie washes off of the glass.
- Do not draw on the rim or inside of the glass where the milkshake will touch the marker.
Tips for the best shake
Blend it really well.
Because farmer cheese is thick, the key to a smooth milkshake is giving it enough time in the blender.
Use a frozen banana.
A frozen banana makes a big difference in creating that thick, creamy texture.
Adjust the sweetness.
Depending on your protein powder and how ripe your banana is, you may want more or less maple syrup.
Use cold ingredients.
Starting with cold kefir and a frozen banana means you don’t need to rely on a huge amount of ice to make the milkshake cold.
Drink it right away.
This shake is best immediately after blending when it’s at its thickest and creamiest.
If you make this shake, I’d love for you to tag @healthyholme in your Instagram stories!
High Protein, Gut-Healthy Jack Skellington Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup farmer cheese
- ½ cup whole-milk kefir
- 1 serving vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup ice
- ⅓ cup cold water
- 1 small frozen banana
- Tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy, about 60–90 seconds.
- Taste and add additional maple syrup if desired.
- Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
