ADAM SMIGIELSKI/ISTOCK
The hot and sticky air continues to hang around here in Wisconsin and I probably complain about it at least five times a day. I also complain about the temps in the winter months, but I promise this blog is not about my frustration with Midwest weather. I’ve been trying to embrace the heat by cooling off with new smoothie recipes.
Smoothies are a great way to enjoy fruit or even use up fresh fruit that’s starting to look not-so-fresh. My latest smoothie muse includes fresh cherries and cacao powder as the two main stars of the show. Vitamin C-rich cherries pair perfectly with the cacao powder, which adds a velvety-smooth chocolate flavor. The below recipe rivals the taste of chocolate-cherry ice cream, and I promise I wouldn’t make such a claim if I didn’t stand behind it (I don’t mess around when it comes to ice cream). Take this recipe on a test drive for yourself and see what you think!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup fresh cherries, pitted
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- ½ cup ice
Directions
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add a splash of water if too thick.
Nutrition Information
Per serving: 424 calories (133 from fat), 15 g total fat (5 g saturated fat), 85 mg cholesterol, 254 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrates, 10 g fiber, 13 g sugar, 43 g protein.
Exchanges: ½ fruit, 1 starch, 1 milk, 3 protein, 2 fat.
While this isn’t a low-calorie smoothie, it can be modified by skipping the protein powder if you’re looking for something a little lighter. This will save anywhere from 130-160 calories and 30 grams of protein. You can also feel free to experiment with adding ingredients like flaxseed oil (a great source of omega-3 fatty acids) and fresh blueberries.
Which smoothie combos keep you cool in the summer?
By Esther M August 12, 2020
Anything to COOL OFF right now! 🙂 Love ice cold almond milk w/ cocoa. I have a jar marked for 8 oz. I fill it with 4 oz. unsweetened plain almond milk, 4 oz of ice cold water, one stevia packet, and put in a little cocoa. Shake well!
Enjoy!
By Maggie Thorison August 26, 2020
That sounds delicious, Esther!
By Carol Webb August 12, 2020
Thanks for this recipe. I’m always on the lookout for new smoothies to try. I opted for the lower calorie version and found it to be quite tasty. I recently purchased the frozen pop molds and am going to try freezing this smoothie so I can have a wee taste every once in awhile.
By Maggie Thorison August 26, 2020
Love that idea, Carol! If you’d like, feel free to send photos of you using the frozen pop molds to mthorison@tops.org. If not, that’s okay too! Thanks for reading 🙂
By Debbie August 12, 2020
Hi Maggie, Thank You So Very Much for the recipe. Look forward to making this. Sounds good. Debbie – Chapter 1261 🙂
By Maggie Thorison August 26, 2020
If you do make it, let me know what you think 🙂
By Debbie August 12, 2020
So could you leave out the peanut butter to eliminate some calories?
By MarySue August 24, 2020
I wonder how it would be with Almond Butter? I think I made too many PBJ lunches for my kids.
By Maggie Thorison August 26, 2020
Probably still pretty tasty 🙂 Let me know if you try it!
By Maggie Thorison August 26, 2020
Absolutely! Removing the 1 tablespoon of peanut butter would eliminate around 90-100 calories.