Posted by Tastefully Simple on March 8, 2022
There’s a beloved diner in every small town, particularly in the Midwest.
They are the retro restaurants, known for coffee and homemade pie. The downtown diners that serve the best cheeseburgers and hot beef sandwiches in town. The cute little cafés on the corner that still make old-fashioned malts and root beer floats.
Want to turn back the clock with a couple café classics in your own kitchen this week? If you’re feeling a little nostalgic, here are six ways to make a malt shop night – right at home!
6 Ways to Make It a Malt Shop Night
1. Malts in Minutes. Simply mix 2 cups of your favorite ice cream, ½ cup milk and 2 tablespoons Malt Mixer in your blender. That’s it!
The flavor combinations are endless, and you can toss in your favorite mix-ins, like fresh fruit, chopped candies and cookies, too. Try one of these easy recipes if you want to mix it up!
2. Diner-Style Buttermilk Pancakes. Breakfast for dinner is always a winner, especially if you have kids. But these classic buttermilk pancakes take it to a whole new level, fresh off the hot griddle – topped with warm maple syrup or fresh berries.
Serve short stacks with crispy bacon, sausage links or fresh fruit on the side. Oh, and if you prefer, you can make Belgian waffles with the batter instead!
3. Drive-In Bacon Cheeseburgers. So juicy and delicious, these classic beef burgers are topped with melty Colby Jack cheese, smoky-salty bacon, crisp lettuce and tomato. The secret ingredient: Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper Cheese Ball Mix!
Enjoy with French fries, sweet potato waffle fries or fresh fruit.
4. Sandwiches Stacked Up. Clubs. BLTs. Patty melts. There are so many simple yet delicious classics perfect for creating a retro diner night in your own kitchen.
Last weekend, we made strawberry malts and these crunchy club sandwiches, layered with bacon, deli turkey, tomatoes, lettuce and a creamy swirl of Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper Cheese Ball on toasted Brioche.
So simple. So good! If you’re looking for more sandwiches for your menu, try a few more of these old-fashioned favorites:
5. Loaded Waffle Nachos. Not sure what to serve on the side? Make everyone’s favorite: family-style fries.
Serve these seasoned fries hot from the oven, sprinkled with crumbled bacon and melted Cheddar – worthy of any drive-in or diner.
6. Brookie Bar Ice Cream Sandwiches. No need for an ice cream shop. You’ll still feel like a kid again with one bite of these sweet treats, bringing all of your childhood favorites together: fudgy brownies, chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream.
Tip: If you have kiddos, roll the edges of your ice cream sandwiches in sprinkles before freezing them, too.
Now It’s Your Turn!
Have your own fun ideas for malt shop night? Let us know! We’d love to hear about your new twists on some old-fashioned favorites.
Go a little retro … and “shake” it up, friends!
Jen