Salted Caramel Pretzel Shake
By Marty Cole · June 14, 2026
5.0 (1)
Dissolving the sugar in the milk before you pour everything into the Ninja Slushi is what kept this Salted Caramel Pretzel Shake from turning out grainy, and I almost skipped that step. The machine churns the liquid into something scoopable and creamy over about forty minutes, no blending, no pre-freezing, just patience. My wife took one sip and said it tastes like the mall pretzel stand in drink form, which is exactly what I was going for. Practical tip: go easy on the caramel sauce or the whole thing stays too soft to hold its shape in the cup.
Your machine size
Slushi 64 oz (Standard) · quantities scaled ×1
💡 Serve within 30 minutes
High-fat dairy can churn into butter under long agitation. Dispense and enjoy soon after it's ready.
Ingredients
- Heavy Whipping Cream10 oz
- Whole Milk4 oz
- Caramel Sauce3 oz
- Granulated Sugar2 tbsp
- Vanilla Extract0.5 tsp
- Flaky Sea Salt0.5 tsp
- Crushed Pretzelsoptional2 tbsp
- Caramel Drizzleoptional1 garnish
Makes ~22 oz
Directions
- 1Whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, caramel sauce, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and flaky sea salt in a bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- 2Taste and adjust salt to your preference, then refrigerate the base until fully chilled.
- 3Pour the cold base into the Slushi, select MILKSHAKE, raise coldness to level 10, and run for 25 minutes until thick and scoopable.
- 4Serve topped with crushed pretzels and a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired.
Tips
- Pour your base when it's cold from the fridge, not room temperature, so the Slushi bowl doesn't have to work as hard to chill it down.
- Start checking the consistency around 20 minutes, then every 5 minutes after, since churn time varies based on your kitchen temperature.
- Use the tap to dispense slowly and let gravity do the work; forcing it through will give you liquid instead of slush.
Variations
- Swap the caramel sauce for chocolate syrup and skip the salt for a classic chocolate pretzel shake.
- Add 2 tablespoons of coffee liqueur or espresso powder to the base for a salted caramel pretzel coffee version.
- Use half the caramel sauce and add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter for a pretzel-peanut twist.
FAQ
- Can I use low-fat or skim milk instead of whole milk?
- Yes, but the shake will be less creamy and may not freeze as thick. Whole milk has enough fat to give you that rich, scoopable texture the recipe is built for.
- How long can I store a finished slush shake in the freezer?
- Keep it in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though it's best eaten the day you make it. It'll separate and get icy over time.
- My shake came out too thin and wouldn't dispense from the tap. What went wrong?
- The base was likely too warm when you poured it in, or the churning time wasn't long enough. Try chilling your base in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before pouring, and always wait the full 20 to 60 minutes.
- Can I make this shake lighter or lower in calories?
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or swap 2 tablespoons of the caramel for a lighter caramel drizzle on top instead of mixed in. You'll lose some richness, but it'll still taste good.
Nutrition
Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated
Ratings & Reviews
5.0 (1)- Mike F
Sweet and salty and delish. Pretzels are a must, not optional
Jun 26, 2026
Meet Marty Cole
I'm a home cook who got a little obsessed with the Ninja Slushi and Creami. I test every recipe in my own kitchen on a real machine, dial in the texture, and only post the ones my family actually finishes.
More about me →
