Milk Bar's The Milk Bar Sampler Copycat Recipe

The Milk Bar Sampler from Milk Bar features an assortment of signature treats including crumb cake, chocolate chip cookies, and cereal milk soft serve, offering a delightful mix of creamy, crunchy, and sweet flavors in one visually vibrant box.

Equipments

• Stand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Offset spatula
• Ice cream maker or soft serve machine
• Cooling racks
• Cake pans
• Food processor
• Cookie scoop
• Storage containers/boxes

Ingredients

• Crumb Cake:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Chocolate Chip Cookies:
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• Cereal Milk Soft Serve:
• 2 cups cornflakes cereal
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon nonfat milk powder
• 1 tablespoon glucose or light corn syrup
• Optional Toppings:
• Rainbow sprinkles
• Chocolate chips
• Crushed cornflakes

Make sure to use unsalted butter across all recipes to control the salt content precisely and achieve the best flavor balance. Fresh eggs are crucial for the crumb cake, chocolate chip cookies, and cereal milk soft serve to ensure proper texture and richness. Whole milk and heavy cream should be cold to produce the creamiest soft serve when using your ice cream maker or soft serve machine. Using lightly packed brown sugar enhances the moistness and depth of sweetness in both crumb cake and cookies. Your copycat version of The Milk Bar Sampler from Milk Bar can perfectly mimic the original by carefully measuring and combining these key ingredients for the signature crumb cake, chocolate chip cookies, and cereal milk soft serve experience.

Instructions

• Instructions:
• **Crumb Cake:**
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cake pans with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In stand mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream and vanilla.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
• Spread batter evenly in prepared cake pans.
• Prepare crumb topping by combining additional cold butter, brown sugar, flour, and pinch of salt until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
• Bake 30-35 mins, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool in pans, then transfer to racks.
• **Chocolate Chip Cookies:**
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and oats.
• In stand mixer, cream butter and both sugars until light. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
• Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Stir in chocolate chips and mini chips.
• Use cookie scoop to form dough balls, place on sheets 2 inches apart.
• Bake 10-12 mins until golden at the edges. Cool on racks.
• **Cereal Milk Soft Serve:**
• Toast cornflakes in oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15 mins.
• Add toasted cornflakes to milk and steep 20 mins. Strain through cheesecloth or fine sieve, pressing solids to extract milk.
• In saucepan, combine cereal milk, heavy cream, both sugars, salt, and milk powder. Heat until steaming.
• In bowl, whisk yolks. Slowly whisk in hot milk mixture, then return to saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened (170–175°F/77–80°C).
• Remove from heat; stir in glucose or corn syrup, then vanilla. Cool completely.
• Pour into ice cream maker and churn per manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to container and freeze until set or serve as soft serve.
• **Assembly:**
• Cut crumb cake into squares, arrange in storage box/container.
• Place cookies in box/container.
• Scoop soft serve into bowls. Garnish with rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, and/or crushed cornflakes.
• Serve sampler box with treats and soft serve.

Substitution

When making the Milk Bar Sampler from Milk Bar copycat menu, you can substitute sour cream in crumb cake with Greek yogurt to maintain moisture and tang. If you don't have a stand mixer, a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease can mix cookie dough effectively. Use any type of chocolate chips available in place of semisweet or mini chips without compromising flavor. For the cereal milk soft serve, whole milk can be swapped with 2% milk, but cream is essential for richness. Store your sampler treats in airtight containers to keep freshness and texture intact for several days.

Tips

Ensure all ingredients are measured accurately to maintain the delicate balance of flavors and textures in the crumb cake, cookies, and cereal milk soft serve. When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to avoid overworking the batter, which can lead to dense baked goods. For the cereal milk, steeping toasted cornflakes thoroughly and straining well is key to achieving the signature flavor without grainy texture. Your soft serve will churn best if the base is completely cooled beforehand, preventing iciness and ensuring a smooth, creamy finish.

Nutritions

The Milk Bar Sampler combines crumb cake, chocolate chip cookies, and cereal milk soft serve, each contributing calories primarily from sugars, fats, and carbohydrates. Your intake will include refined flour and sugars from the cake and cookies, along with fats from butter and cream that add richness and texture. The cereal milk soft serve adds dairy protein and fats, with additional sugars enhancing flavor and creaminess. Consuming this sampler provides a mix of energy-dense nutrients typical of indulgent desserts, best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Storage

Store crumb cake and chocolate chip cookies separately in airtight containers at room temperature to maintain their texture and flavor for up to 3 days. Transfer leftover cereal milk soft serve into freezer-safe containers, tightly sealed to prevent ice crystals, and freeze for up to 2 weeks. To enjoy the best quality, thaw soft serve slightly before serving, and consume your sampler box within a few days for optimal freshness.

Variation or Alternatives

You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in the crumb cake to add moisture and a slight tang while reducing fat content. For the chocolate chip cookies, try swapping rolled oats for chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans to enhance texture and add a nutty flavor profile. When making the cereal milk soft serve, using almond or oat milk instead of whole milk can create a dairy-free version with a slightly different but delicious taste. To expedite the soft serve process, consider blending the cooled custard base briefly before churning to improve smoothness and reduce ice crystal formation.

Allergies

The Milk Bar Sampler contains common allergens such as wheat (all-purpose flour), dairy (unsalted butter, whole milk, heavy cream, sour cream), eggs, and soy (chocolate chips). If you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, some components like the crumb cake and soft serve may trigger reactions. Always check the ingredient list carefully and consult with your allergist to ensure your safety when enjoying this assortment.

Why this recipe?

The Milk Bar Sampler menu from Milk Bar restaurant offers a unique variety of fan-favorite treats, including their famous Crack Pie, Compost Cookie, and Cereal Milk Soft Serve, making it a delightful way to experience multiple signature flavors in one order. You'll appreciate the sampler's perfect balance of innovative baking techniques and nostalgic comfort, delivering bold, distinct tastes that stand out in the dessert market. Trying to make the copycat recipe at home allows you to recreate these iconic textures and flavors while customizing sweetness and freshness to your preference. Mastering this sampler menu enhances your baking skills by introducing you to Milk Bar's creative ingredient combinations and precise baking methods.