Welcome to the ultimate guide for creating a Chocolate Cherry Smoothie that truly tastes like a decadent chocolate shake, yet secretly packs a powerful nutritional punch. This isn’t just any smoothie; it’s a vibrant, green superfood blend artfully disguised as a luscious, creamy, and satisfying treat. With its rich cacao flavor and the natural sweetness of cherries, it’s so delicious that nobody will suspect it’s loaded with wholesome greens and nutrient-dense superfoods. Forget complicated recipes – this rich chocolate cherry smoothie is effortlessly made with simple, whole-food ingredients, promising an indulgent experience that’s incredibly good for you.
This post has been updated from the original, first published on July 20, 2019.
Calling all chocolate enthusiasts! Prepare to have your perceptions of healthy eating transformed by this incredible recipe for a Healthy Chocolate Cherry Smoothie. It’s designed to satisfy your deepest chocolate cravings while simultaneously nourishing your body with an abundance of essential nutrients. You’ll benefit from healthy fats derived from creamy almond butter and nutrient-rich hemp seeds, experience the deep, luxurious chocolate flavor of raw cacao powder, and enjoy natural sweetness from ripe bananas and dates. Furthermore, this smoothie delivers a powerful dose of antioxidants from leafy greens and the juicy, vibrant cherries.
If you often find yourself battling a sweet tooth, this Cherry Chocolate Smoothie recipe is your perfect solution. It masterfully combines satisfying indulgence with wholesome nourishment. This delightful blend is both refreshing and deeply satisfying – hitting that sweet spot when a chocolate craving strikes! Its versatility means you can enjoy this chocolate cherry smoothie anytime: for a quick and energizing breakfast, a revitalizing lunch, a fulfilling snack, or even a guilt-free dessert. On a warm evening, it can even serve as a light and delicious dinner option. A truly delicious smoothie transcends seasons; it’s always the perfect choice, no matter the time of year.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience designed to delight your taste buds and boost your well-being. Here’s why this Chocolate Cherry Smoothie is about to become your new favorite:
- Decadent Taste, Hidden Health: It boasts the rich, velvety texture and deep chocolate flavor of a gourmet dessert, yet it’s brimming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from greens and fruits. It’s the ultimate guilt-free indulgence!
- Quick & Easy Preparation: With just a handful of ingredients and a blender, you can whip up this nutritious meal or snack in under 5 minutes. Perfect for busy mornings or when you need a fast, healthy boost.
- Naturally Sweetened: Say goodbye to refined sugars! This smoothie gets its delightful sweetness from ripe bananas and dates, providing sustained energy without the crash.
- Packed with Superfoods: From antioxidant-rich cherries and cacao to fiber-filled kale and healthy fats from almond butter and hemp seeds, every ingredient is chosen for its nutritional benefits.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt it to your dietary needs or taste preferences. Swap greens, adjust sweetness, or add protein for a personalized blend.
- Satisfies Cravings: Its creamy texture and rich flavor effectively curb chocolate cravings, making it a powerful tool for healthy eating habits.
Key Ingredients and Smart Substitutions for Your Healthy Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Crafting this healthy chocolate cherry smoothie is all about embracing whole, simple ingredients that deliver both incredible flavor and robust nutrition. Each component plays a vital role in creating a balanced, delicious, and deeply nourishing drink.
Leafy Greens (Kale is King!)
These are the unsung heroes of your smoothie, packed with an incredible array of vitamins (A, C, K), essential antioxidants, vital minerals, and dietary fiber. I often opt for curly green kale due to its mild flavor when blended and exceptional nutrient profile. However, you have many excellent options to choose from: Lacinato kale (dinosaur kale) offers a slightly sweeter, earthier taste; collard greens provide a robust, hearty addition; chard (Swiss chard) brings a slightly bitter but nutrient-rich component; baby spinach is wonderfully mild and undetectable for those sensitive to green flavors; watercress offers a peppery kick; and a small amount of fresh parsley can add a refreshing, herbaceous note. Don’t be shy with your greens; they’re key to a truly healthy chocolate cherry smoothie.
Almond Butter (Creamy & Rich)
For the best quality and purest flavor, seek out an almond butter that lists just one ingredient: almonds. This ensures you’re getting unadulterated goodness without added sugars or oils. Almond butter contributes healthy monounsaturated fats and a significant protein boost, both of which are crucial for satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer and stabilizing blood sugar levels. If almonds aren’t your preference or you have allergies, feel free to substitute with creamy peanut butter (for a classic flavor profile), smooth cashew butter (for a milder, buttery taste), or sunflower seed butter (often labeled as sun-butter), which is an excellent nut-free alternative.
Hemp Seeds (Omega-3 Powerhouse)
These tiny, nutrient-dense seeds are a true superfood, providing a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties, and a natural protein boost. They have a subtle, nutty flavor that blends seamlessly into the smoothie. If you don’t have hemp seeds on hand, chia seeds are a superb alternative, offering similar omega-3s and an excellent gelling property that can thicken your smoothie. Ground flax seeds are another great option, also rich in omega-3s and fiber.
Cherries (Antioxidant Gems)
Cherries are not just delicious; they’re bursting with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, making them a powerhouse for overall health. Beyond their protective qualities, they contribute fiber, a significant amount of vitamin C, and good levels of vitamins A and E, along with essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. While fresh cherries are wonderful when in season, using frozen cherries is incredibly convenient year-round. Flash-frozen fruit, picked at the peak of ripeness, retains all the same health benefits and intense cherry flavor as fresh, making it a reliable and easy choice for this healthy chocolate cherry smoothie.
Cacao Powder (Mood-Boosting Chocolate)
Raw cacao powder is where this smoothie gets its rich, deep dark chocolate flavor, transforming it into a luxurious chocolate shake experience. More than just taste, cacao is considered a “good mood food” because it contains flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that can improve blood flow and brain health. It’s also a fantastic source of magnesium, calcium, zinc, copper, and selenium. Ensure you’re using raw cacao for maximum nutrient retention. If unavailable, unsweetened cocoa powder is a perfectly acceptable substitute, though it might offer a slightly less intense flavor profile and fewer raw nutrients due to processing.
Banana (Natural Sweetener & Thickener)
A ripe banana is essential for two key reasons: it provides natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugars, and acts as a fantastic smoothie thickener. Using a frozen banana is highly recommended, as it creates an incredibly creamy, ice-cold consistency without the need for ice cubes, which can dilute the flavor. For those looking to significantly reduce sugar intake, half a zucchini (peeled or unpeeled) can surprisingly substitute the banana, adding creaminess and nutrients with minimal flavor impact and very low sugar.
Non-Dairy Milk (For Creaminess)
Any non-dairy milk will elevate the creaminess and consistency of your smoothie. I particularly enjoy unsweetened almond milk for its neutral flavor, which allows the chocolate and cherry to shine. Other excellent plant-based milk options include oat milk, which adds a lovely creaminess and a hint of sweetness, or soy milk, known for its higher protein content and rich texture. Choose your favorite, ensuring it’s unsweetened to control the overall sugar content.
Dates (Caramel-Like Sweetness)
Dates are not just natural sweeteners; they bring a wonderful caramel-like depth to the smoothie. They are also high in fiber, aiding digestion and promoting gut health, and have been linked to brain health benefits. Always use pitted dates to avoid damaging your blender blades. Medjool dates are particularly soft and sweet, blending beautifully into a smooth consistency.
How to Make Your Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Creating this delicious and healthy chocolate cherry smoothie is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few minutes of your time.
- Gather Your Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients are prepped. If using fresh kale, wash it thoroughly. If your banana isn’t already frozen, consider freezing it in chunks for at least 2-3 hours for an extra cold and creamy smoothie. Pit your dates if they aren’t already.
- Layer for Optimal Blending: For the smoothest consistency, always add your liquids first to the blender pitcher. Pour in the non-dairy milk. Then, add the softer ingredients like almond butter and leafy greens (kale). Finally, add the frozen ingredients: frozen cherries, frozen banana chunks, dates, cacao powder, and hemp seeds. This layering helps the blender blades catch and process everything efficiently.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid on your blender and start blending on a low setting, gradually increasing to high speed. Continue blending until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no visible chunks of fruit or greens. For best results, especially with fibrous greens, a high-speed blender like a Vitamix makes this task incredibly easy and ensures a silky-smooth texture.
- Serve Immediately: Pour your freshly blended chocolate cherry smoothie into a glass, add a straw, and enjoy! Its taste and nutritional value are at their peak right after blending.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Pre-Workout Power-Up:
Prepare this invigorating smoothie before your gym session or morning run. Simply blend, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and give it a good shake before enjoying it post-workout. It’s the most delicious and effective way to refuel your body and recover.
Frozen Creamsicle Treat:
Don’t let any leftover smoothie go to waste! Pour this healthy recipe into popsicle molds and freeze for a few hours. You’ll be rewarded with a refreshing, healthy creamsicle treat that’s perfect for a hot day or a fun dessert.
Smart Freezer Smoothie Packs:
Streamline your morning routine by creating freezer smoothie packs. Measure out your frozen cherries, banana chunks, and leafy greens (like kale) and store them together in individual freezer-safe bags. When you’re ready for a smoothie, simply dump the contents of a pack into your blender, add your non-dairy milk, almond butter, cacao, and dates, then blend. It’s the ultimate hack for an easy, healthy breakfast on the go.
Transform into a Smoothie Bowl:
To enjoy this recipe as a thick, satisfying smoothie bowl, make a few adjustments. Increase the amount of all frozen fruit (cherries and banana) and reduce the amount of non-dairy milk significantly. You might also add a few ice cubes to achieve an extra frosty and spoonable consistency. Top with your favorite granola, fresh fruit, or a drizzle of nut butter for an elevated meal.
Adjusting Sweetness and Thickness:
If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, add an extra date or a few drops of maple syrup. For a thicker consistency, add more frozen fruit or a tablespoon of chia seeds. If it’s too thick, simply add a splash more non-dairy milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
Boost the Protein:
For an even more filling smoothie, consider adding a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder (vanilla or chocolate work well) or an extra tablespoon of hemp seeds or almond butter. This will make it an ideal post-workout recovery drink or a substantial meal replacement.
How to Properly Store Your Smoothie
To ensure you enjoy your healthy chocolate cherry smoothie at its peak flavor and nutritional value, follow these storage tips:
Immediate Enjoyment is Best:
For the freshest taste, brightest color, and maximum nutrient retention, it’s always ideal to drink your smoothie immediately after blending. This minimizes oxidation, which can degrade certain vitamins and alter flavor.
Short-Term Refrigeration:
If you have leftovers or want to prepare it a few hours in advance, store any extra smoothie in an airtight container in the fridge. Glass jars, like wide-mouth mason jars with tight-fitting lids, are excellent for this purpose as they limit air exposure. An insulated lunch bag can help maintain its chill if you’re taking it on the go. Consume within 24 hours for the best quality. Before drinking, give creamy smoothies a vigorous shake to recombine any separated ingredients.
Freezing for Longer Storage:
For longer preservation, you can freeze your smoothie. Pour it into one-cup ice cube trays or small freezer-safe containers. Once frozen solid, transfer the cubes to a large freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply pop a few cubes back into the blender with a splash of fresh non-dairy milk and re-blend until smooth. This method is great for meal prepping and ensures you always have a healthy option readily available. Frozen smoothies can last for up to 1-2 months.
Explore More Healthy Chocolate Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the combination of healthy ingredients and decadent chocolate flavor in this smoothie, you’re in for a treat! Here are some other delightful and nutritious chocolate-inspired recipes to satisfy your cravings without compromising your health goals:
- Vegan Chocolate Pudding RecipeIndulge in a rich, smooth, and utterly satisfying chocolate pudding that’s completely vegan and surprisingly easy to make. A classic dessert, reinvented for health!
- Healthier Homemade Twix BarsRecreate your favorite candy bar with a healthier twist! These homemade Twix bars feature a delicious shortbread base, gooey caramel, and a rich chocolate coating, all made with wholesome ingredients.
- White Bean Vegan BlondiesThese incredibly moist and fudgy blondies hide a secret ingredient: white beans! A delicious way to boost fiber and protein, they’re packed with chocolate chips and completely vegan.
- Gluten-free Pumpkin Cake with Chocolate FrostingEnjoy a moist and flavorful pumpkin cake, made gluten-free and topped with a luscious chocolate frosting. A perfect dessert for autumn, elevated with festive garnishes.
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Debra Klein
Rate this Recipe
Pin Recipe
5 minutes
5 minutes
Breakfast & Brunch
American
1
smoothie
291
kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana frozen into chunks
- 1 cup kale or other green
- 3 dates
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 2 Tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 Tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 Tablespoon almond butter**
- 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk**
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Store any leftover smoothie in an airtight glass jar in the fridge for up to one day. Shake well before drinking to recombine ingredients.
Notes
**Did you know it’s incredibly simple to make your own almond milk at home? Here’s a recipe for you to try!
Nutrition
Serving:
8
oz.
Calories:
291
kcal
Carbohydrates:
36
g
Protein:
10
g
Fat:
13
g
Saturated Fat:
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
10
g
Sodium:
19
mg
Fiber:
8
g
Sugar:
22
g
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
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