Do you love cherries as much as I do? Then you will adore this dark cherry smoothie. It’s thick, creamy, and naturally sweet, with a hint of vanilla and almond. It’s made with frozen cherries, banana, coconut milk, and almond butter. It’s so easy to whip up in your blender and enjoy anytime. This smoothie is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Tips and Tricks for Dark Cherry Smoothie
- Use Ripe Bananas: Ripe bananas not only add natural sweetness but also contribute to the creamy texture of the smoothie. Look for bananas with brown spots for the best flavor.
- Variety of Milk: Experiment with different types of milk to suit your taste preferences. Coconut milk adds a rich flavor, but almond milk, soy milk, or dairy milk can also work well.
- Add Protein: Boost the protein content of your smoothie by adding a scoop of protein powder or Greek yogurt. This is especially beneficial if you’re using the smoothie as a post-workout snack.
- Frozen Cherries: If using fresh cherries, consider freezing them beforehand to achieve a thicker and colder smoothie consistency. Alternatively, add a handful of ice cubes to chill the smoothie.
- Nut Butter Options: While almond butter is recommended for its nutty flavor, feel free to use other nut or seed butters like peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for variation.
- Sweeteners: Adjust the sweetness of the smoothie to your liking by adding natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Start with a small amount and taste as you go.
- Toppings: Get creative with toppings! Whipped coconut cream, toasted coconut flakes, sliced almonds, or a sprinkle of cinnamon can add extra flavor and texture to your smoothie.
- Make Ahead: Prep smoothie packs by portioning out the ingredients in advance and storing them in sealed bags in the freezer. This makes it quick and easy to blend up a smoothie whenever you’re craving one.
- Blend Thoroughly: Blend the ingredients on high speed for at least 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is well combined and the smoothie is creamy with no chunks.
- Adjust Consistency: If the smoothie is too thick, add more liquid (milk or water). If it’s too thin, add more frozen fruit or ice cubes. Adjust until you reach your desired consistency.
Finally, I request you to check my other pineapple strawberry smoothie with this post of Dark Cherry smoothie.
I Made A Dark Cherry Smoothie And It Was The Best Thing I Ever Tasted!
Description
One of my favorite things to do with my kids and family is to make smoothies together. We love experimenting with different fruits and flavors, and we always have fun in the kitchen. One of our go-to recipes is this dark cherry smoothie. It’s so creamy, refreshing, and delicious, and it’s also vegan and gluten-free. We use frozen dark cherries, ripe banana, coconut milk, almond butter, and vanilla extract. We blend everything until smooth and enjoy our smoothies with some granola, nuts, or chocolate chips on top. This dark cherry smoothie is a great way to start the day or end the night with my loved ones.
Ingredients
Basic Ingredients for Dark Cherry Smoothie
Equipment:
Instructions for Dark Cherry Smoothie
Step-by-Step Guide for Vegan Dark Cherry Smoothie
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Prepare Ingredients
Gather 1 cup of frozen dark cherries, 1 ripe banana, 1/2 cup of coconut milk, 1 tablespoon of almond butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
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Blend Ingredients
In a blender, add the frozen dark cherries, ripe banana (broken into chunks), coconut milk, almond butter, and vanilla extract.
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Blend Until Smooth
Blend the ingredients on high speed until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a splash more coconut milk to reach your desired consistency.
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Taste and Adjust
Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness or thickness according to your preference. You can add more almond butter for a nuttier flavor or a drizzle of honey if you prefer it sweeter.
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Serve
Pour the smoothie into glasses and serve immediately while it's fresh and cold.
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Optional Toppings
If desired, top the smoothie with whipped coconut cream, toasted coconut flakes, and fresh cherries for an extra special touch.
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Enjoy
Sip and enjoy the delightful combination of sweet cherries, creamy coconut milk, and nutty almond butter!
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 250kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 11g17%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Sodium 50mg3%
- Potassium 300mg9%
- Total Carbohydrate 35g12%
- Dietary Fiber 5.99g24%
- Sugars 20g
- Protein 5g10%
- Vitamin A 100 IU
- Vitamin C 9.99 mg
- Calcium 100 mg
- Iron 2 mg
- Vitamin E 2 IU
- Vitamin K 10 mcg
- Thiamin 0.1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
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Frozen Cherries: Using frozen cherries ensures that your smoothie is cold and thick. If you're using fresh cherries, you can freeze them beforehand or add some ice cubes to the blender for a frostier texture.
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Ripe Banana: Choose a ripe banana for sweetness. A ripe banana will also help to thicken the smoothie and add a creamy texture.
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Coconut Milk: Coconut milk adds a rich and creamy texture to the smoothie. You can use either canned coconut milk or the carton variety. Feel free to substitute with any milk of your choice, such as almond milk or dairy milk.
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Almond Butter: Almond butter adds a nutty flavor and creaminess to the smoothie. You can also use peanut butter or any other nut butter you prefer.
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Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the smoothie and adds a subtle sweetness. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
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Toppings: Whipped coconut cream, toasted coconut flakes, and fresh cherries make wonderful toppings for added flavor and texture. Feel free to get creative with your toppings or omit them altogether if you prefer a simpler smoothie.
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Consistency: If the smoothie is too thick, you can add a splash more coconut milk or water to thin it out. Conversely, if it's too thin, you can add more frozen cherries or ice cubes to thicken it up.
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Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. You can add more or less almond butter, vanilla extract, or sweetener according to your liking.
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Variations: Don't hesitate to experiment with different variations of the recipe. You can add spinach for extra nutrients, protein powder for a protein boost, or even a dash of cinnamon for added flavor.
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Enjoy Fresh: The smoothie is best enjoyed immediately after blending while it's fresh and cold. However, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day.