Chocolate Stout Shake

Serves 2.

Note: This recipe uses ice cubes made from milk, so they should be prepared a day before you plan to make the shake. From "300 Best Blender Recipes Using Your Vitamix," by Robin Asbell.

• 1 1/2 to 2 c. whole milk (to make 2 c. ice cubes)

• 1 (11.2 oz.) bottle Guinness or other stout beer, divided

• 1/4 c. half-and-half cream

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/4 c. powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

To make milk ice cubes: Pour 1 1/2 to 2 cups milk (your choice) into a standard ice cube tray and freeze. A standard tray will make about 3 cups of cubes. Keeping cubes on hand in a freezer bag saves time for future shakes.

To make shake: Pour half of beer into the Vitamix container and add the cream, vanilla, sugar, cocoa and milk ice cubes. Secure the lid, remove the lid plug and insert the tamper.

With the switch on Variable, select speed 1 and turn on the machine. Gradually increase the speed to 10, then flip the switch to High and, using the tamper to push the ice cubes into the blades, blend for 30 to 60 seconds or until thick and smooth. Turn the machine off. If you hear ice cubes hitting the blades as they fall to the bottom, pulse again.

Pour into 2 large glasses, then pour the remaining beer down the side of each glass, dividing equally. Serve immediately.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories300Fat10gSodium100 mg

Carbohydrates34 gSaturated fat6 gTotal sugars25 g

Protein9 gCholesterol30 mgDietary fiber2 g

Exchanges per serving: None.