Beat the summer heat with this incredibly easy frozen treat! Transform milk into a fancy shaved ice!
Growing up in a Filipino household, I was always captivated by the colorful layers and multiple texture of halo-halo. It’s a beloved shave ice dessert that transforms simple ingredients into something magically special.
This frozen milk shaved ice is my nostalgic nod to those childhood summer when we’d creative in the kitchen- freezing everything from Capri-Sun and Hawaiian Punch to rich coconut milk, then scraping them into fluffy, snow-like treats.
What Makes This Special
While halo-halo initially inspired this concept, this milk ice dessert focuses on the pure, creamy sweetness of frozen milk. I’ve also included Filipino mais con yelo, Korean bingsu, Taiwanese baobing, and other variations that brought inspiration.
There are numerous names for this frozen treat- shaved ice, snow ice, snowflake ice, or fluffy shave ice.
No special skills needed to make this super easy treat. You will need: milk, a freezer, and an electric ice shaver machine.
The Basic Technique
This recipe requires just two simple ingredients: milk and sweetener. For the creamiest, most luxurious texture, I recommend combining regular milk with sweetened condensed milk. Together, these two provide sweetness and richness.
Dairy-free alternatives like oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk also work. However, keep in mind that these milks typically contain more water and less fat than whole dairy milk. As such, these will result in a slightly icier final texture. Regardless of your milk choice, you’ll achieve that satisfying shaved ice consistency that melts perfectly on your tongue.
I highly recommend sweetened condensed milk. Other options include sweetened condensed coconut milk, coffee creamer, half & half, or non-dairy coffee creamer.
Milk Mixture
Choose a milk mixture base:
- 1 cup milk + 3 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup coffee creamer
- 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 cup coconut milk + 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Equipment
You need an electric ice shaver. I highly recommend this machine. I’ve used it for several other recipes such as — and —. It comes with two reusable ice molds. If you need more molds, I suggest grabbing a pack of reusable deli cups from Smart and Final. You can also purchase this variety pack of deli containers from Amazon.
Technically, you could use a manual hand cranked ice shaver. I’m all about working smarter, not harder. Electric shavers delivers consistently fine, fluffy ice without the outwork. An electric ice cream creates that silky texture that makes this dessert feel like a treat, not a chore. Plus, hand-cranked shavers generally produce chunky, uneven texture.
Flavor Variations and Toppings
Asian-Inspired:
- Filipino Halo-Halo Style: ube ice cream, leche flan, variety of sweet beans
- Korean Bingsu Style: fresh fruit, mochi, sweetened red beans
- Taiwanese Baobing Style: fresh fruit, condensed milk drizzle
- Japanese Kakigori Style: flavored syrups, sweetened condensed milk, mochi
Western Favorites:
- Chocolate Lover: chocolate syrup, crushed cookies, whipped cream
- Cereal Milk: steep your favorite sweet breakfast cereal in the milk before freezing, top with cereal
Other Toppings:
- Fresh fruits such as strawberries, berries, kiwi, pineapple, grapes
- Syrups or sauces such homemade dark chocolate syrup, cinnamon syrup, fresh strawberry sauce and passion fruit curd
- Ice cream, sorbet, or gelato
- Tapioca pearls, jellies, and glutinous rice balls
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare your milk base
- Freeze properly
- Shave the ice
- Assemble
- Serve immediately!
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
Pre-mixed frozen bases keep in the freezer for up to two weeks. Overtime, the bases are more prone to freezer burn and may start to absorb unwanted flavors. Ideally, use the bases within a week of freezing.
Prep toppings ahead of time to make assembly a breeze. Keep chopped mango chunks in the fridge for up three days. Alternatively, top the frozen milk shaved ice with sliced banana, strawberries, or berries. Instead of fruit, top with your favorite granola or breakfast cereal for extra crunch.
Frozen Milk Shaved Ice
Equipment
- Electric ice shaver machine
Ingredients
Frozen Milk
- 1 cup milk
- 3 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Toppings
- fresh mango chunks
- mochi pieces
Instructions
Frozen Milk
- Stir together milk and sweetened condensed milk until well combined. Pour into a freezer safe 16 oz deli container with lid. Freeze for at least 4 hours until solid.
- Assemble ice machine according to your specific model’s instructions. Place a bowl or cup under the shaving chamber to catch the shaved ice.
- Unmold frozen milk from container and place inside ice machine chamber.
- Turn on machine. Apply steady, even pressure to hold the frozen milk against the shaving blade while the machine is running. Remove hand from button and release pressure to stop machine.
Toppings and Assembly
- Garnish freshly shaved ice with fresh mango chunks and mochi pieces. Serve immediately!
Notes
- 1 cup milk + 3 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup coffee creamer
- 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 cup coconut milk + 2 Tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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