Depending upon where you are, March either comes in “like a lion” or “like a lamb.” But no matter where you are, March is National Peanut Month.
Which brings us to a story about how “your father loves his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so your mom decided to make him a PB&J milk shake to treat him on warm days.” If you’ve heard that story, chances are it was someone with a name such as “Aunt Mabel” spinning the tale, and you were seated at a kitchenette table with an old-fashioned black-and-white TV that was replaying snippets of shows from long ago.
You were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in a restaurant called 50’s Prime Time Café, and you had inquired about milk shake flavors. “Aunt Mabel” (your server) was explaining a choice called the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milk Shake, which has been available since the park opened in 1989.
If you are like me, (1) you love milk shakes, (2) rich chocolate malt is your favorite variety, and (3) the first time you heard about the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milk Shake, you experienced a sudden and profound loss of appetite.
But, if you’re like me, you survived your bad reaction to the thought of a perfectly good milk shake occasion being ruined by PB&J … and you ordered one.
And, if you’re like me, you now have a new second-favorite flavor of milk shake – the PB&J (behind, of course, a rich chocolate malt – I’m drooling!).
There’s a fascinating story behind the PB&J milk shake – and it has nothing to do with your father. It has everything to do with the food & beverage people being challenged to “think outside the box” as they created mealtime items for the new park. One of the chefs, eyeing swirled peanut butter and jelly, thought “inside the jar,” spooned a glob of it into the milk shake mixer along with ice cream and milk, blended it and put it in front of top management.
When the result was both a milk moustache and a smile, a Studios specialty was born.
My attempt to replicate the PB&J shake at home without consulting with the F&B people did not have the same result. Uncertain about the amount of peanut butter to include, I unwittingly crafted a “beverage” that stuck to the roof of my mouth.
You can avoid that mistake by using this Disney kitchen-tested recipe:
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons grape jelly
2 cups vanilla ice cream
¼ cup milk
- Blend ingredients until smooth and thick
- Add additional peanut butter or jelly to taste
- Make one “PB&J milk shake-lover” very happy!
Comments
This milkshake is THE BEST! I think I will treat myself to one after the ESPN The Weekend 5K on Saturday…I will have earned it, right?
Elizabeth, you certainly will have earned it … and wisely are choosing to wait until after the run to partake of the PB&J shake. Enjoy the 5K, the extra fun of ESPN The Weekend, and your sweet indulgence!
Thanks for the recipe! I always order a PB&J shake when I eat at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. I also occasionaly sidle up to the bar at the Tune In Lounge next door and order one there.
Good note, Brian, about being able to order one at Tune In Lounge!
This is one of the best milkshakes I have ever had. My daughter and I ordered it with our meal just last week. The rest of our party thought it sounded gross so they didn’t order it. But when it arrived they all couldn’t resist trying it. Once they tried it they agreed, It is the best!!
Melissa, I’m hoping you aren’t telling me they drained the “side car” (the metal container with the part of the shake that doesn’t fit in the glass) (?)
Might have to try this next week!!:)
I am drooling!! I think I’ll make one tonight for dessert!
Dorothea, you are giving me ideas … and making my mouth water.
Thank you so much for posting! I am lactose intolerant and cannot get that shake when we go there….but now I can try it with my own lactose free dairy products! Thanks!!!! :o)
Good luck with the experiment, Sarah … just measure out the peanut butter carefully 🙂
I just made one of these because I was so curious. Soooo good! I can’t wait to try one in the parks!
One of my favorite things at WDW. I always order one when we have lunch at the 50’s prime time cafe, then I go back later and get another one from the bar to go!
What an appetite you have, James! I order one with my meal, it arrives prior to the meal, I joyFULLy consume it, and the result of my joyFULL consumption is, well, FULLy apparent when the meal arrives … as I stare … Aunt Mabel, may I please have a ‘To Go Box’ for my meat loaf? (You have to make sure to say “please” and to keep your elbows off the table.)
Great post, Dave! I’m also pleased to see some jelly actually going in there! I couldn’t taste any jelly at all in the milkshake when I ordered it in December; I think I’m going to ask for a jelly garnish the next time I’m there just so I can be extra sure… 😉 I can only imagine what Aunt Mabel will say to that!
AJ, my hunch is that the best PB&J shake delivers the PB&J subtly, kind of like a quality cologne.
Thank you so much for posting the recipe! I have always wanted to try it. Although it won’t have the exact Disney feel, I cannot WAIT to try it! When I was at Hollywood Studios in June, I couldn’t make my reservation at the 50s Cafe, and all I wanted to do was try that milkshake!
Thank you again!! 😀
Ashley, if only you’d heard from Brian (comment 2) or James (comment 8 ) before you visited! Put on some oldies music, insert a straw, close your eyes and imagine your own Prime Time. Enjoy!
Thank you for the recipe! I have wanted to try this at home but I wasn’t sure how to do this. I am so excited to try that I may have to sign off the computer and go to the store for some vanilla ice cream. I have tried this at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe and what a great milk shake. Every time we go to Disney I make sure that we dine at here just for the milk shake and the pot roast. I probably should try other things but this meal makes my day.
I’ve never really been a fan of PB&J sandwiches, but that shake looks absolutely delicious!
Our server at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, who magicaly happened to be our cousin, offered this odd sounding treat to us on our last visit to WDW. I was a bit apprehensive but she assured me that if I didnt like it, it would be on the house. She brought it out, I took a sip, and LOVED it! It will now be a must have in addition to the Prime Time’s amazing Pot Roast! Hmmm.. This is making me hungry for a trip out to Florida…
Joseph, I’m not supposed to say this, but: Wouldn’t it be a lot more economical to run down to the corner store and buy the ingredients, toss them into the blender, and plop down right there in sunny California? I mean, we love having you spend time with us here in Florida, but …
Come to think of it, if you came now, you could check out the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot, then cruise on over to the Studios for a milk shake break, and head back to Epcot for the Flower Power Concert! Wow, I don’t think you can do that with a trip to the corner store and a blender!
We had more then one of these fantastic milkshakes on our 10 day visit to Disney world. I have to admit I was skeptical about ordering one but after the first sip my skepticism turned to surprise and delight as I couldn’t believe it tasted as good as it did. I probably could have consumed two shakes, it tasted so good, but I exercised restraint and just came back the next day and had another one.
Mark, if you’re getting addicted, check out Michelle’s comment (No. 15) … might prevent a trip to the clothier 🙂
I make Pb&J shake at home, but since I’m watching the calories I make these substitutions: instead of jelly, I use frozen berries (for fiber and antioxidants) and 1 cup non-fat skim milk and 6 ice cubes instead of ice cream! Same great taste and half the calories!!
Dave,
Thanks for your perfect timing. Had my wisdom teeth removed yesterday and this was exactly what I needed to make me feel better!
Happy to be of service taking some of the pain out of your experience, Brandon.
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