When I was growing up there was a restaurant chain called Newport Creamery that had several locations throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including a store in my hometown. Though they were open all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, I’m pretty sure the ice cream and shakes were the big draw. Their shakes were called Awful Awfuls, which at the time I didn’t think much of, but strikes me as a really bizarre name now. I’m not entirely sure where the name originated but their slogan was “Awful big, awful good,” and boy were they – the chocolate mint was always my favorite. The restaurant was just down the street from my high school and many of my friends worked there, so it became a bit of a hangout, which means I drank more than my fair share of Awful Awfuls.
I’ve probably only been to Newport Creamery once or twice since graduating from high school (there isn’t a location where Shane and I live now, which as much as I hate to admit it, is probably a good thing) and I definitely miss the occasional Awful Awful. I always chose an Awful Awful over a bowl of ice cream back then, but now I rarely, if ever, find myself ordering a milkshake when we go to our local ice cream shop. Maybe I was spoiled and nothing compares now 🙂 In any case, occasionally I’ll make milkshakes at home instead, mainly when I come across a flavor that particularly resonates with me (or if I find one I think Shane will love).
I flagged this toasted marshmallow milkshake recipe a while ago and now that the weather is finally starting to warm up (this rainy, chilly week notwithstanding), I gave it a go. I halved the recipe & made it one afternoon for myself – I loved it so much I immediately made a second one. It really does taste exactly like a toasted marshmallow! I’m not a patient person so when toasting marshmallows I always set mine on fire and blow them out, which I think was beneficial here. As Joy mentioned, the charred bits really give the shake a lot of flavor. I used the flame on my gas stove to toast the marshmallows when I made the shake for myself but when I subsequently made the recipe again for Shane, I used my kitchen torch. Both ways worked fine (the torch gave me more control, but took longer) though you could probably also use your broiler if you don’t have a gas stove or a kitchen torch. Whichever method works for you, I just urge you to try this shake if you’re a toasted marshmallow fan – you won’t be disappointed.
Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake
from Joy the Baker (who adapted it from The Good Stuff Cookbook by Spike Mendelsohn)
10 marshmallows (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
1 (heaping) cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk (I used 1%)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Skewer the marshmallows then toast them – you can do that using the flame on your gas stove, with a small kitchen torch or under the broiler in your oven. If you use the broiler, keep a close eye on the marshmallows. Let the toasted marshmallows cool briefly.
In your blender, combine the toasted marshmallows, ice cream, milk and vanilla extract. Blend until combined. You can adjust the consistency by adding ice cream (to thicken) or milk (to thin). Serve garnished with extra toasted marshmallows.
Ohh..this sounds yummy…I Love toasted Marshmallows!
This looks like such a fun idea! Bookmarking for a later date. 🙂
This was a very fun treat, thanks for making it!
Oh wow! I just made s’mores ice cream with toasted marshmallows in it. Now I need this!
I now have a huge craving for toasted marshmallows! Those + milkshake= heaven!
LOVE this! I need to go pick up some marshmallows at the store 🙂
Oh yummy! This sounds great! Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup to it, and I would be in ice cream heaven!
Thanks for this recipe. I love Marshmallows, and I always need an excuse to eat them.
besos,lynn
I long for Awful Awfuls. I was born, bred, and raised in Providence for 21 years of my life and when I mention Awful Awfuls to people not from the RI/Southeastern MA area, they look at me like I’m crazy lol.
Thank you for the recipe! It reminds me of the Toasted Marsmallow milkshake a place called Stand4 makes in NYC (where I live now). I can’t wait to make this for my boyfriend!
Oh my….this looks insanely delicious!
I only enjoy marshmallows when they are toasted 🙂 And I really rally want to try this, but it’s been so cold and rainy lately, it’s hard to want anything that’s cold.
Yum! Funny fact… did you know that smelly markers changed the smell of their black marker from black licorice to burnt marshmallow?
And it smells delicious!!
I’ll definitely be trying out this recipe though!
Oh my does this look delicious! I want to go to the store buy marshmallows and make it right now.
@Jeff – I didn’t know that, but toasted marshmallow is an infinitely better smell than black licorice in my book 🙂
Now I wish I had some marshmallows! I’ve never toasted them on the stove, but I may need to try that.
You had me at Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake…but then you said “Newport Creamery”!!!! I’m from Rhode Island but live in PA and I cannot tell you how much I miss Newport Creamery….I even worked there as a teen. ahhhh. Thank you for making me smile…and drool!!
Ooohh… this sounds so good. I want one now!
The flavor sounds so amazing. I have to try making this milkshake!
Burnt marshmallows? I have yet to try it but that milkshake looks so cool especially when the days are so hot here!
I love this! Not that I could ever hate a milkshake, but I can sure love some more than others. 🙂
I have never heard of anything like this before but I can tell right now I would like it a lot. Thanks!
Oh My but this looks wonderful. What a great idea!!
Ditto My Son John’s comment!!
This shake is calling my name!
I’ve never heard of such a thing, but now that you’ve introduced me to the toasted marshmallow milkshake I am completely obsessed! Thanks for passing on such a divine-looking recipe 🙂
ahhh hilarious…i was in newport, RI last week on business and am just not catching up on blogs. i feel the need to try ice cream wherever i go and found newport creamery via yelp. LOVED it (though i thought the name awful awful was strange too ha). i just got 2 kinds of ice cream in a cone but it was fabulous and decadent…worth every calorie 🙂
I remember the awful awful from when I was in college….thanks for reminding me of it. I have that Spike M. cookbook and it is amazing….the banana whoopee pies rock and I have done a bunch of the burgers too.
Just made this and it is ridiculously amazing, even with rock hard two year old marshmallows!
These shakes look beyond amazing with those marshmallows floating on top. Linking back to this post tomorrow 🙂