Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps for making this delightful Nutella Dream Shake. It’s as easy as pie, and I promise you’ll feel like a dessert superstar!

Step 1: Prepare Your Glassware – The Foundation of the Dream
Take a tall, chilled glass—a pint glass or a specialty milkshake glass works perfectly. Using a spoon or a small spatula, spread a generous layer of the warmed Nutella around the inside of the glass. Create artistic swirls and ensure good coverage. Next, drizzle chocolate sauce over the Nutella lining. This step is crucial as it creates a beautiful visual effect and ensures every sip from the top to the bottom is packed with flavor.

Step 2: Blend the Dream Base
In a powerful blender, combine the 4 large scoops of vanilla ice cream, the 3/4 cup of Nutella, the 1/4 cup of whole milk, the 1/8 teaspoon of fine sea salt, and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Step 3: Achieve the Perfect Consistency
Secure the lid on your blender tightly. Start blending on a low speed to initially combine the ingredients, then gradually increase to high speed. Blend for 30-60 seconds, pausing to scrape down the sides if necessary, until the mixture is completely smooth, thick, and has a uniform, deep chocolate-brown color. It should be thick enough to mound on itself.

Step 4: The First Assembly Layer
Slowly pour the blended shake into your prepared glass. Do not fill it to the top yet. Leave about 1 to 1.5 inches of space at the rim to accommodate the towering toppings. Using a long spoon, you can gently stir the shake in the glass to further integrate the Nutella and chocolate lining.

Step 5: Build the Topping Tower
Now, pipe or spoon a massive, cloud-like dome of whipped cream on top of the shake, completely covering the surface and extending over the rim of the glass. This whipped cream platform will be the foundation for the rest of your decorations.

Step 6: The Artistic Drizzle and Crunch
Generously drizzle more chocolate sauce (and even some extra warmed Nutella) over the whipped cream dome. Immediately, while the sauces are still wet, sprinkle a lavish amount of the chopped, toasted hazelnuts and mini chocolate chips over the top. This ensures they stick to the toppings.

Step 7: The Grand Finale – The Pièce de Résistance
For the final, iconic touch, carefully take your chosen “pièce de résistance”—be it a glazed donut, a slice of brownie, or a cookie—and gently press it onto the rim of the glass, resting it against the mountain of whipped cream. For an extra touch, you can spear a couple of mini marshmallows or a fun-sized candy bar on a long skewer and place it on top. Serve immediately with a long spoon and a wide straw.