Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

This thick, creamy, indulgent plant-based cherry chocolate smoothie tastes like a dessert but is loaded with antioxidants, fiber, protein, and beneficial nutrients. A more-ish dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan breakfast or snack that’s ready in just 5 minutes!

Creamy, Decadent, and Nutritious Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

We love smoothies for their ability to make us feel like we’re enjoying a treat while loading up on beneficial nutrients and macros. We’re already obsessed with this pineapple kale smoothie, peaches & cream smoothie bowl, and orange creamsicle smoothie. Still, this dairy-free, creamy, indulgent cherry chocolate smoothie recipe tastes the most like dessert so far!

By combining cocoa powder and cherries, this smoothie tastes like a slice of black forest cake without any of the not-so-healthy ingredients. Instead, the combination of cocoa powder, cherries, banana, and nut butter creates a sweet and dessert-like chocolate cherry smoothie that tastes great (and child-approved) and is packed with nutrients.

Is This Cherry Smoothie Healthy?

This cherry smoothie is loaded with fiber, antioxidants, plant-based protein, and several beneficial plant compounds and micronutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and copper among others.

Combined, these boost exercise recovery, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and may improve sleep quality (thanks to melatonin!). Plus, unlike actual dairy-based chocolate, you’ll enjoy an endorphin rush without an impending sugar crash.

You can even toss in extra nutrient-boosting ingredients too, like omega-3-rich chia seeds, a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder, or even a handful of leafy greens (trust me, you won’t be able to taste them!). Keep reading for our favorite add-ins.

The Ingredients

This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients for a flavorful, sweet, dessert-like, healthy black forest smoothie.

• Cherries: They taste great and boast a heap of health benefits. You can use fresh (pitted) or frozen cherries, though we use the latter for the thickest cherry shake (and to enjoy it year round!).
• Banana: Use a slightly overripe banana to add natural sweetness to the berry chocolate smoothie. It can be fresh or frozen, though the latter will be thicker and more dessert-like. For a banana-free smoothie, try replacing it with ½ an avocado or ½-¾ cup frozen cauliflower, though you will likely need to add sweetener.
• Plant-based milk: You can use any dairy-free milk based on your desired creaminess and flavor. I.e., almond milk (our favorite pairing with cherries), cashew milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc. Use a little vegan yogurt for an even thicker, creamier frozen cherry smoothie.
• Cocoa powder: To provide the chocolate flavor, use unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder (the latter is less processed, which means more antioxidants and nutrients like magnesium and iron, but it’s more bitter, so it may require added sweetener).
• Nut butter: This adds more belly-satisfying protein, fiber, richness, and heart-healthy fats. We used peanut butter, but almond butter or cashew butter also works. For a nut-free cherry smoothie recipe, use sunflower seed butter.
• Sweetener: (OPTIONAL) If the banana isn’t sweet enough (or you replaced the banana), you may need more sweetness. You could add 1-2 Medjool dates, date syrup, maple syrup, agave, or even a sugar-free option like erythritol.

What Could I Add To A Cherry Smoothie?

• Vanilla extract: Add ½-1 tsp for extra dessert-like flavor when combined with the cocoa powder.
• Almond extract: A small amount of almond extract will enhance the cake-like flavor of this berry chocolate smoothie.
• Cinnamon: Added to taste for extra flavor and several health benefits.
• Sea salt: Just a tiny pinch of salt will enhance the flavors of this smoothie.
• Strawberries: Use a combination of cherries and strawberries if preferred.
• Protein powder: Add 1 scoop (about 30g) of unflavored, vanilla, chocolate, or cherry-flavored vegan protein powder for a protein cherry shake.
• Oats: ¼ cup of rolled oats adds fiber for a filling, meal-replacing cherry smoothie.  
• Ground seeds: Add 1 tbsp ground flaxseed, chia seeds, or hemp seeds for fiber, plant-based protein, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids to fight inflammation.
• Spinach/kale: Adding 1-2 handfuls of greens will pump up the nutrients and antioxidants, but you won’t be able to taste them at all.

How to Make a Chocolate Cherry Smoothie?

This cherry chocolate smoothie is simple to prepare, low-budget, and ready in minutes for a nutrient-dense breakfast, snack, or mid-day pick-me-up.

• 1) Add all the ingredients, starting with just ½ cup of plant milk, to a high-speed blender (liquid and soft ingredients closest to the blade) and process until smooth and creamy.

• 2) Add more plant-based milk, if needed, to your desired consistency.
• 3) Transfer the chocolate cherry smoothie to a glass, optionally top it with any toppings (like cacao nibs or grated vegan dark chocolate), and enjoy!

If using a low-powered/old blender, first blend the plant-based milk and ¼ cup of the cherries, then slowly add the remaining ingredients. This will make it easier on the blades. You may also need to give the machine breaks to scrape down the sides.

Top Tips For The Best Results

• Adjust the consistency: Add more plant-based milk or use fresh (not frozen) ingredients for a thinner smoothie. For a thicker one, add some ice cubes or ground oats.
• Tweak to your liking: We’ve included several optional add-ins that you can experiment with based on if you’d prefer more fiber, protein, antioxidants, etc.
• For a lighter smoothie: Replace half the banana with frozen cauliflower or omit it entirely and adjust the amount of liquid accordingly.
• Tips for best blending: Always add the liquids and softest ingredients closest to the blades.

Storage Instructions

We highly recommend keeping a stash of frozen fruits (like frozen banana, which is the base of so many smoothies) in your freezer at all times, so you can make a smoothie at any point.

Smoothies primarily made with frozen ingredients are best consumed immediately for the best texture. Fresh fruit smoothies will last a day in an airtight/lidded container. However, note the nutrients are at their highest when first blended. Shake/stir the smoothie before drinking it.

You can also freeze leftover smoothies for up to 3 months in Ziplock/Stasher bags to re-blend from frozen (with extra liquid if needed) or thaw first. Alternatively, pour the leftovers into a popsicle mold for a healthy vegan ice-cream-like treat.

More Smoothie Recipes

• Banana beet smoothie
• Banana kale smoothie
• Mixed berry smoothie
• Orange Julius smoothie
• Citrus mango smoothie
• Fruity ginger smoothie
• Pumpkin pie smoothie

Photos by Alfonso Revilla