Growing up, my father faithfully took my sister and I on dates. Sometimes separate; sometimes together. Trips to the mall for browsing and food court cheesecake, or ventures to the local pet shop for puppy ogling and, if we were lucky, a run through a favorite drive-thru would follow.

White Mocha Milkshakes [ www.pedanticfoodie.com ]

My untrained palate had a favorite spot which featured questionable, yet highly satisfying roast beef sandwiches, and something very wonderful called a JaMocha shake. If it was not too late in the evening for caffeine, Daddy and I would share one.

Though I have not tasted one of those shakes in so many years, and am not entirely sure if they are still available, their memory remains vivid and delicious.

A nostalgic craving drove me to make a grown-up version of that childhood favorite.

When it comes to memory-driven cravings, always, always, always act upon the impulse.

It is a amazing how a simple milkshake can at once satisfy our stomaches and hearts alike.

For this shake, white chocolate is melted into whole milk and blended up with your favorite coffee ice cream. It is embarrassingly simple.

We could end things right here and now, or we could turn our attention to toppings.

Whipped cream, obviously.

I did not think this was a cherry-on-top kind of shake, so I opted for chocolate truffles (see what I mean about the grown-up part?), coffee beans, and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Completely random side note: I used to love getting milkshakes with my mom because she would tie the cherry stems in knots with her tongue. Mom's got skills.

This right here is a very creamy, very wonderful tribute to Daddy-dates gone by.

Oh, and to really capture the memory, I had to toss a pan of french fries under the broiler. Milkshakes have never meant a thing to me without a well-salted stash of french fries close by for dipping.

Thanks for the memories, Daddy.

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

WHITE MOCHA MILKSHAKES

total time: 30 minutes // serves: 4

2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups high quality white chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1 quart coffee ice cream
cocoa, optional
coffee beans, optional
chocolate truffles, optional

Pour milk into a small saucepan and set over medium high heat. Heat, watching closely, until the milk is steaming, but not simmering. Remove from heat.

Place white chocolate in a deep mixing bowl and pour the warm milk over the chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature; about 20 minutes.

In the meantime, beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1/3 cup confectioner's sugar with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Once the white chocolate mixture has cooled, pour into your blender, along with coffee ice cream. Blend until smooth. Divide amongst four glasses, top with whipped cream and chocolate truffles, and sprinkle with cocoa and coffee beans. Serve immediately!

Enjoy!