Fun and Easy Cake Shakes: 10 Recipes That Taste Like Dessert in a Glass

Cake shakes are the ultimate mashup of two favorite desserts: milkshakes and cake. From indulgent slices of chocolate cake blended with ice cream to fruity versions packed with fresh strawberries, these shakes bring cake flavor to every sip. This collection includes fun kid-friendly cake shakes, high-protein blends, and even a copycat version of the famous Portillo’s chocolate cake shake. Each one is creamy, colorful, and easy to make right at home.

What Are Cake Shakes?

Cake shakes are one of those fun desserts that instantly remind me of celebrations. I’ve made them different ways in my own kitchen: sometimes by blending leftover cake into a creamy milkshake, and other times by using instant pudding mix to get that cake-like flavor without needing a whole slice. However you make them, cake shakes always feel festive and a little indulgent, like you’ve turned a simple shake into a bakery-style treat.

Creamy Cake Batter Protein Shake

This creamy cake batter protein shake brings all the fun of birthday cake into a frosty glass. With a smooth vanilla base, a boost of protein powder, and a colorful sprinkle topping, it tastes just like cake batter in shake form. It’s quick to blend, perfectly satisfying, and makes a fun treat any time of day. The rainbow sprinkles on top give it that unmistakable cake shop flair.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or regular milk)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ frozen banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for cake flavor)
• 1 tablespoon dry instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Rainbow sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add almond milk, protein powder, frozen banana, vanilla extract, almond extract, pudding mix, and ice cubes to a blender.
2. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Pour into a tall glass and top with rainbow sprinkles before serving.

Kid-Friendly Banana Chocolate Cake Shake

This kid-friendly banana chocolate cake shake is the ultimate fun treat, blending ripe bananas with a slice of rich chocolate cake. The result is thick, creamy, and packed with chocolate flavor while still being playful enough for kids to enjoy. Garnished with banana slices and chocolate shavings, it’s as eye-catching as it is tasty. Perfect for birthdays, after-school treats, or anytime a chocolate craving hits.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk)
• 1 large ripe banana, sliced and frozen
• ½ slice chocolate cake (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Chocolate shavings and banana slices, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add milk, frozen banana, chocolate cake, chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until thick and creamy, making sure the cake is fully incorporated.
2. Pour into a glass, add a swirl of chocolate syrup on top, and garnish with banana slices and chocolate shavings before serving.

Birthday Cake Protein Shake (High-Protein Treat)

This birthday cake protein shake turns a slice of vanilla cake into a creamy, drinkable celebration. Blended with milk, protein powder, and ice, it becomes a smooth shake with that unmistakable cake flavor. Finished with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles, it’s festive, colorful, and perfect for celebrating without the need to bake a full cake. A slice blended right in makes this shake taste just like a party.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ slice vanilla cake (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles, for topping

Instructions

1. Add milk, protein powder, vanilla cake, vanilla extract, almond extract, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, making sure the cake is fully incorporated.
2. Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, and finish with rainbow sprinkles before serving.

Easy Chocolate Cake Shake

This easy chocolate cake shake blends the deep flavor of chocolate cake with creamy ice cream for a rich, indulgent treat. The shake is smooth, frosty, and finished with a swirl of whipped cream and chocolate shavings for a classic touch. With just a few simple ingredients, it comes together in minutes and tastes like a dessert shop favorite. Perfect for when you want a quick chocolate fix without any extra fuss.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream
• 2 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix (dry)
• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add milk, ice cream, pudding mix, chocolate syrup, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until thick and smooth.
2. Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, and finish with chocolate shavings before serving.

High-Protein Carrot Cake Shake

This high-protein carrot cake shake blends the warm spices of classic carrot cake into a creamy, protein-packed drink. With a slice of carrot cake blended right in, it’s rich, flavorful, and smooth with just the right hint of cinnamon. Topped with a light dusting of spice and a few grated carrot shreds, it looks as inviting as it tastes. Perfect for when you’re craving cake but want it in shake form.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or regular milk)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• ½ slice carrot cake (with cream cheese frosting)
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Grated carrot and cinnamon, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add almond milk, protein powder, carrot cake slice, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, ensuring the cake is fully incorporated.
2. Pour into a glass, sprinkle with cinnamon, and garnish with a few carrot shreds before serving.

Copycat Portillo’s Chocolate Cake Shake

This copycat Portillo’s chocolate cake shake brings the Chicago classic right into your kitchen. The secret is blending a full slice of frosted chocolate cake with ice cream and milk to create an ultra-rich, creamy shake. Topped with whipped cream and a few chocolate shavings, it’s just as indulgent as the one you’d get at Portillo’s. Perfect for chocolate lovers who want a dessert that’s over the top in the best way.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream
• 1 slice frosted chocolate cake (store-bought or homemade)
• Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for topping

Instructions

1. Add milk, chocolate ice cream, and a slice of chocolate cake to a blender. Blend until smooth and thick, ensuring the cake is fully incorporated.
2. Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, and finish with chocolate shavings before serving.

Quick Protein Shake Mug Cake (Ready in 2 Minutes)

This quick protein shake mug cake is a clever twist on the classic shake, turning a protein powder blend into a fluffy single-serve cake. Made in just minutes in the microwave, it’s warm, soft, and finished with a drizzle of chocolate for extra sweetness. Perfect when you’re craving cake but don’t want to fire up the oven, this mug cake is the ultimate speedy dessert fix. It’s a fun way to enjoy your protein shake in cake form.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup milk (dairy or almond)
• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
• Chocolate syrup, for drizzle

Instructions

1. In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together protein powder, flour, baking powder, milk, egg white, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Microwave on high for 60-75 seconds, until the cake has risen and set but remains soft in the center. Let cool for 1 minute, then drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with extra chocolate chips before serving.

Easy Optavia Shake Cake (Low-Cal & Delicious)

This easy Optavia shake cake is a quick and clever way to transform a simple shake packet into a warm, fluffy treat. Made right in the microwave, it rises in minutes and has a soft, cake-like texture that’s perfect for a single serving. Sprinkled with chocolate chips and a touch of cocoa, it’s an effortless way to enjoy cake without baking. This recipe is one of the most popular shake hacks for a reason.

Ingredients

• 1 Optavia shake packet (any flavor, chocolate or vanilla works best)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ cup water (or unsweetened almond milk)
• 1 teaspoon chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
• Pinch of cocoa powder, for garnish

Instructions

1. In a microwave-safe mug, mix the Optavia shake packet, baking powder, and water until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Microwave on high for 60-75 seconds, until the cake has risen and set. Let cool for 1 minute, then sprinkle with extra chocolate chips and a light dusting of cocoa powder before serving.

Strawberry Shortcake Shake

This strawberry shortcake shake blends fresh strawberries with a slice of cake for a sweet, creamy treat. With its soft pink color, whipped cream topping, and golden cake crumbs, it looks just as fun as it tastes. The shake has the perfect balance of fruity freshness and cake richness, making it a beautiful option for spring and summer desserts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• ½ slice vanilla cake (or one sponge shortcake shell)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream, cake crumbs, and sliced strawberries, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add milk, ice cream, a slice of cake, strawberries, vanilla extract, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, sprinkle with cake crumbs, and garnish with fresh strawberry slices before serving.

Red Velvet Cake Shake

This red velvet cake shake is a bold and indulgent twist on a classic dessert. Blended with a slice of red velvet cake, it has a rich flavor and striking red hue that makes it stand out. The shake is creamy and decadent, finished with whipped cream and red velvet crumbs for a bakery-style touch. It’s the kind of shake that looks as dramatic as it tastes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
• ½ slice red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream and red velvet crumbs, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add milk, ice cream, a slice of red velvet cake, vanilla extract, and ice cubes to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, making sure the cake is fully incorporated.
2. Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with red velvet crumbs before serving.