Welcome to the wacky, wild, and wonderfully over-the-top world of freakshakes — where milkshakes get the full funfair makeover! Think of them as milkshakes that ran away with the circus: piled high with toppings, dripping with syrup, and always ready for a photo.
Freakshakes first burst onto the foodie scene in Australia and quickly took over Instagram feeds across the world. A standard freakshake is a milkshake served in a large glass (usually a jar), topped with eye-catching extras like:Whipped cream mountains
Whole donuts or brownies
Sweet sauces drizzled everywhere
Candy canes, biscuits, chocolate bars, popcorn
Sprinkles, marshmallows — and even sparklers!
🎠 Funfair Inspiration: What Makes It “Fairground-Style”?
Fairground Treat | Freakshake Topping Idea |
Candyfloss | Piled high like a pink cloud |
Mini donuts | Skewered and balanced on top |
Toffee apples | Skewered and balanced on top |
Chocolate bananas | Chopped and layered inside |
Marshmallows | Toasted and popped on top |
Popcorn | Salted caramel, for crunch |
Pick ’n’ mix | Hanging from the rim or skewered |
Ridiculously Fun Freakshake Recipes
1. The Candyfloss Cloudshake
Base: Strawberry milkshake (ice cream, milk, strawberry syrup)
Toppings: Whipped cream, candyfloss tower, pink wafers, sprinkles
Extras: Line the rim with pink sugar and edible glitter
2. Donut Dare-Devil
Base: Chocolate & cinnamon milkshake
Toppings: Whipped cream, mini cinnamon donuts, chocolate drizzle
Extras: Biscuit crumbs and a drizzle of caramel
3. Big Top Banana Split Freakshake
Base: Banana, vanilla & chocolate milkshake
Toppings: Whipped cream, chopped banana, crushed nuts, chocolate sauce, maraschino cherry
Extras: Chocolate flakes and a mini cone upside-down on top
4. Toffee Apple Tornado
Base: Apple & caramel milkshake (blend apple juice, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce)
Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Toffee sauce drizzle
- Skewered toffee apple slices
- Crushed digestive biscuits for crunch
Extras: Rim the glass with caramel and chopped nuts
5. The Ferris Wheel Fizz
Base: Cream soda & vanilla milkshake (blend vanilla ice cream with cream soda for a fizzy lift)
Toppings:
- Cotton candy (candyfloss) puff
- Jelly sweets
- Maraschino cherry
- Sprinkles
Extras: Use fizzy sherbet around the rim for a poppy texture
6. Peanut Butter Popcorn Shake
Base: Peanut butter & chocolate milkshake (blend peanut butter, chocolate ice cream, and milk)
Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Salted caramel popcorn
- Mini Reese’s pieces or chopped nuts
- Chocolate syrup
Extras: Line the inside of the glass with thick peanut butter swirls
7. The Carousel Cake Shake
Base: Birthday cake milkshake (blend funfetti cake slice, vanilla ice cream, and milk)
Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Slice of cake (yes, really!) balanced on top
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Icing drizzle
Extras: Dip the rim in white chocolate and roll in confetti sprinkles
8. The Whack-a-Mallow
Base: Toasted marshmallow milkshake (toast marshmallows under the grill and blend with vanilla ice cream and milk)
Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Skewered toasted marshmallows
- Crushed graham crackers (or digestives)
- Chocolate drizzle
Extras: A flaming marshmallow torch (supervised!) for dramatic flair
🎪 Tips for Building the Ultimate Freakshake
- Start with a thick shake: Use more ice cream than milk to make sure it can hold toppings.
- Decorate the rim: Dip it in melted chocolate or syrup and roll in sprinkles, biscuits, or crushed sweets.
- Use skewers and straws: Stack solid items like donuts or sweets onto skewers and secure them to the top.
- Balance is everything: Go wild — but make sure your creation doesn’t tip over!
🍦 Equipment & Products to Consider
- Mason jars or handled glasses
- Thick milkshake straws
- Mini donut makers
- Electric milkshake blenders
- Topping kits (sprinkles, syrups, edible glitter)
Final Thoughts
Freakshakes are the milkshake’s wild cousin — a full-blown dessert experience… So grab your favourite fairground treats, fire up the blender, and let your imagination go as wild as the waltzers!
