Copycat Chick-fil-A Autumn Spice Milkshake Recipe

There’s something about fall that makes milkshakes feel more magical. I still remember the first time I had the Autumn Spice Milkshake from Chick-fil-A. It was one of those crisp October evenings, sun dipping low, football on the radio, and that golden glow on the sidewalks that only autumn gives. I rolled through the drive-thru half on a whim, thinking I’d just get fries. But the girl at the window said, “You’ve gotta try the autumn shake, tastes like snickerdoodles and Thanksgiving had a baby.” So I did. And wow.

This copycat Chick-fil-A Autumn Spice Milkshake brings all that warmth and spice home, no drive-thru needed. It’s creamy, sweet, and just spiced enough to feel festive without being over the top. With brown sugar, cinnamon, and a whisper of orange, it tastes like the coziest parts of fall in a frosty glass. Whether you’re craving a nostalgic flavor hit or just need an excuse to crumble cookies into ice cream, this shake is your golden ticket.

How to Make Chick-fil-A Autumn Spice Milkshake

Start with a base of vanilla ice cream and blend in a rich autumn syrup made with brown sugar, cinnamon, sweet potato, and a hint of orange. Toss in crushed speculoos cookies for that signature crunch and spicy-sweet depth. Blend just enough to keep the texture playful. Then top with whipped cream and a cherry, because sometimes life calls for a little extra.

Nutrition facts (per 16 oz serving)

• Calories: 645
• Total Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 99 g
• Sugar: 91 g
• Protein: 12 g

Ingredients (1 serving, 16 oz)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 1

For the Autumn Spice Syrup (makes ~½ cup, enough for 2–3 shakes)

• ¼ cup water
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsp sweet potato purée (from canned or roasted sweet potato)
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp ginger
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Small pinch of cardamom (optional)
• ¼ tsp orange zest or 1 drop orange extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Milkshake

• 1½ cups vanilla ice cream (Chick-fil-A style = lower butterfat)
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 2 tbsp autumn spice syrup (see above)
• 2 tbsp crushed speculoos cookies (or brown sugar spice cookies)
• 1 tbsp extra cookie crumbs for garnish
• Whipped cream (for topping)
• 1 maraschino cherry (optional but charming)

Tools You’ll Need

• Small saucepan
• Blender
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Ice cream scoop
• Spoon or piping bag for topping
• Glass (16 oz)
• Straw

Instructions

Make the Autumn Spice Syrup (5 min + cooling)

In a small saucepan, stir together water, sugars, condensed milk, sweet potato purée, and spices. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Let it bubble for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest and vanilla, and let cool completely.

Blend the Shake (3–5 min)

In your blender, combine vanilla ice cream, milk, 2 tablespoons of the cooled syrup, and 2 tablespoons of crushed cookies. Blend until smooth but stop before the cookie bits fully disappear, you want them tiny but still crunchy.

Serve it Up (1 min)

Pour into a chilled glass. Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cookie crumbs, and a cherry on top. Sip slowly, preferably in a hoodie.

Tips

• Chill your glass for 10 minutes before serving for extra frosty vibes.
• Don’t skip the sweet potato purée, it adds body and that soft autumn pie richness, without screaming “vegetable”.
• Adjust spice levels to your mood. Want more holiday punch? Add a bit more ginger or nutmeg.
• Use Biscoff cookies for the closest match to Chick-fil-A’s “brown sugar spice cookie” texture.
• Syrup keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, perfect for round two.

What to Serve With

Cozy + Sweet

• Snickerdoodle cookies – Lean into the cinnamon-sugar swirl. These echo the shake’s main spice and give your hands something warm to hold while sipping.
• Pumpkin muffins – Soft, lightly spiced, and perfect for dipping into the last inch of your milkshake. It’s a match made for chilly afternoons.
• Maple glazed donuts – The syrupy richness pairs like a dream with the brown sugar and spice in the shake. It’s sweet on sweet, but somehow not too much.

Crunchy + Fresh

• Spiced pecans or candied walnuts – That little bit of salty-sweet crunch adds contrast and keeps your mouth intrigued.
• Apple slices with cinnamon sugar dusting – Fresh apples cut through the creaminess and mirror the shake’s autumn notes.
• Crispy cinnamon pita chips – Dip, scoop, crunch, repeat.

Savory Sides

• Crispy chicken sliders – There’s just something about sweet shakes and salty chicken. It works. Every time.
• Sweet potato fries with sea salt – They echo the sweet potato purée in the shake, while the salt keeps things balanced. Plus, it’s fall comfort food at its best.
• Bacon-cheddar biscuits – If you’re making this for brunch, these little savory bites bring serious game-day energy.

Variations

Churro Spice Version

Add a pinch of extra cinnamon and a little sugar to the rim of your serving glass. Dip the top in syrup first so it sticks. Bonus points if you serve it with churro bites on the side.

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Swap the sweet potato purée in the syrup for canned pumpkin. Add a dash of pumpkin spice and a swirl of maple syrup. The result? Basically Thanksgiving in a cup.

Vegan / Dairy-Free

Use dairy-free vanilla ice cream and oat milk. For the syrup, swap condensed milk with a thick oat cream or coconut cream. Top with coconut whipped cream.

Ultra-Spiced

Add extra cardamom and a pinch of ground cloves for a shake with bold holiday punch. This one tastes like a cookie platter blended with joy.

Boozy Shake

Add 1 oz of spiced rum or bourbon. Perfect for late-fall evenings, porch swings, and adult-only Friendsgiving gatherings.

Ingredient Substitutes

Vanilla Ice Cream
If you don’t have regular vanilla ice cream or want something lighter, you can use frozen vanilla yogurt, low-fat soft-serve, or even a dairy-free vanilla ice cream made with oat or almond milk. Just make sure it’s not overly icy or it’ll water down the shake.

Whole Milk
You can easily swap whole milk with oat milk, almond milk, 2% milk, or even evaporated milk. Oat milk keeps the creamy texture closest to the original while giving a warm, neutral flavor.

Sweet Potato Purée
No sweet potato on hand? Use canned pumpkin instead, it brings a similar earthy sweetness and color. Mashed carrot works too in a pinch, or you can skip this entirely if you’re aiming for a simpler syrup.

Brown Sugar
Coconut sugar adds a slightly deeper, toasty flavor and can replace brown sugar in equal amounts. Maple syrup works too, but reduce any extra liquid slightly since it’s already wet and sweet.

Speculoos Cookies
Biscoff cookies are ideal, but ginger snaps, cinnamon graham crackers, or even soft snickerdoodles make great backups. Just make sure they have that warm, brown sugar–spice vibe.

Sweetened Condensed Milk
For dairy-free versions, try oat cream or coconut cream. You can also combine evaporated milk with a little extra sugar, just be sure to reduce the liquid elsewhere in your syrup.

Orange Zest or Extract
Lemon zest can add a similar citrus brightness, or use a bit of mandarin peel if you have it. If citrus isn’t your thing, feel free to leave this out and let the warm spices take the lead.

Maraschino Cherry
Top your shake with a fresh cherry, a dried orange slice, or even a candied pecan for a fun twist. Or skip the topping altogether if you’re going for a moodier, minimalist look.

Whipped Cream
Coconut whipped cream is a lovely dairy-free option with a hint of natural sweetness. You can also use store-bought dairy-free whip, or make your own maple vanilla whipped cream at home for extra flair.

Honest Review

It honestly caught me off guard, in the best way. The first sip had this bold cinnamon warmth that instantly made me think of Captain Crunch in a shake. Sweet, a little toasty, with just enough spice to keep it interesting. Hands down, this was one of Chick-fil-A’s best seasonal shakes, no question.

This copycat version comes surprisingly close. The cookie bits give you that same cozy crunch, and the syrup brings all the brown sugar and spice notes you’d hope for. Is it identical to Chick-fil-A’s version? Not quite. They’ve probably got some secret flavor boosters and commercial tricks we just can’t fully replicate at home. But does it scratch the same itch? Absolutely.

If you’re someone who fell in love with that shake when it dropped and you’ve been waiting all year for it to return, this recipe brings it back in a way that feels real. Comforting. Snackable. Nostalgic. Especially on those gray fall afternoons when all you want is a blanket and something sweet to sip.