Late one night last week while John was getting ready for bed I was scouring Pinterest on my iPhone. Some days I barely pin anything at all on Pinterest and others I’m an absolute maniac, re-pinning everything I see. Cute puppies, strange tattoos, 18-layer cakes, you name it. This particular night I found something that really caught my eye, so much so that I was determined to make it the very next morning.
The recipe I’m sharing is inspired by the one I found, which was featured on Babble. Kathy’s version was raw and mine’s not, so if you’re on a raw diet by all means stick with her version. But for those of you not on a raw diet, this is probably about the creamiest dreamiest chocolate shakes you’ll have that just happens to be vegan and totally healthy enough to call breakfast.
Since making this for the first time a week or so back it’s been my go-to breakfast nearly every morning – so freaking delicious. You can taste the bananas only slightly, so if they’re not your thing try it anyway.
You can easily add more cocoa powder to make the chocolate flavor even more prominent. Also, if you can’t have or absolutely despise bananas, you could probably just sub all frozen strawberries or blueberries for a similar result. I also highly recommend sneaking in some flaxseed and spinach for added nutrition without any affect on the flavor. Bottoms up!
- 2 frozen ripe bananas, chopped prior to freezing
- ⅓ cup frozen strawberries (or blueberries)
- 2-3 heaping Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp salted almond butter (find my recipe below)
- 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal (optional)
- 1.5-2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk (sub soy or coconut)
- dash of stevia or agave nectar (depending on sweetness of bananas)
- ⅓ cup ice
- big handful of spinach (not pictured here and optional)
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- If you prefer a more chocolatey shake, add more cocoa powder. If you prefer it sweeter, add more stevia or agave. If you prefer it thinner, add less ice OR more almond milk.
Megan | EatsDaily November 13, 2012 at 12:34 pm
These look good! You must have finished it pretty quickly considering how big those straws are ;)
I already have most of the ingredients on hand, so I see myself making it in the very near future !
Christine Somers November 15, 2012 at 10:21 am
This looks really yummy. My granddaughter is coming to visit for Thanksgiving weekend and is a smoothie fan. I would love to make this for her but she has a nut allergy. Any suggestions on a substitute for the almond butter?
Dana November 15, 2012 at 2:18 pm
if she can have peanut butter, I’d suggest that. Otherwise, you can just leave it out : )
Christine Somers November 15, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Peanut butter it is! Thanks.
admattai November 21, 2012 at 11:23 am
This shake is so good! I’ve had it three times in the past week, and will probably make it again soon :) It was nice to discover another use for flaxseed meal (I usually use chia seeds in smoothies and flaxseed meal just for my ‘flax eggs’
Jennifer M January 14, 2013 at 9:44 am
I have been making these for some time now! LOVE them! Mine are very green as I use quite a bit of spinach!!! I love subbing in different frozen fruits, whatever I might have on hand. I also like to put in a dash of cinnamon!!!
Lillie February 5, 2013 at 8:45 am
Woke up 5 minutes early this morning to blend up this deliciousness and I’m not regretting it!! Such a good idea. I think next time I’ll use more berries and less banana per my taste bud’s liking. This will go in my breakfast (or snack) arsenal. Thank you Friend!
Dana February 5, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Lovely! Yeah, it’s one of my favorite smoothies. seriously tastes like a shake!
Sunshine February 11, 2013 at 6:46 am
Try substituting chocolate protien powder for the cocoa and sunflower sead butter for the almond butter plus a little bit of vanilla protien powder w no banana … Tastes similar to pea it butter mood at Jamba Juice and makes a great high protien shake . I have learned this from a class call BEST classes in AZ . It’s a series of free seminars to help change the face of America . Anyway the guy who started them is named Richard and you c. Get on his email , each ofhia recipes I have tryed are killer good ! Your smoothly sounded very tummy and similar ! His makes.a Good workout shake ! Thanks for sharring ! He introduces me to sunflower seed butter … It’s amazing !
Talli February 24, 2013 at 9:33 am
Try adding in some cooked, pureed (in blender), and cooled oatmeal. After pureeing and cooling, oatmeal takes on a consistency that’s a bit like flax/water, and a bit like heavy cream. Ie it binds well and thickens well. It makes for a very creamy consistency to any smoothie.
Kim March 27, 2013 at 5:56 pm
I would like to try this but can’t eat almonds. Is there any alternative to use that is tree-nut free?
Dana March 27, 2013 at 6:02 pm
If you can have peanuts, I’d highly recommend peanut butter :D
Barbara April 25, 2013 at 5:20 am
Made it, loved it! I have crohn’s disease and always on the lookout for ‘healthy’ yummy bowel friendly recipes:)