Red Velvet Smoothie
Mar 8, 2010 tagged Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Vegan 
What’s not to like about smoothies?
Taste good. Check. Nutritious. Check. Easy. Check.
Kids love them. Adults love them. I love them.
I have a few favorites but, this Red Velvet Smoothie is my current “go to” breakfast drink. It’s especially good when I’m on the run. It can be blended up very quickly and really holds back my appetite until lunch time.
The photo doesn’t do justice to the rich dark red chocolate color that the cherries impart. So, if you want to see how very pretty it is you’ll have to dust off your blender and whip one up for yourself.
Any of you have a favorite smoothie recipe to share? I’d love to hear about some of your creative combos.
For another delicious way to start your day visit the Gluten-free Goddess for Karina’s Strawberry Hemp Milk Smoothie and a great selection of smoothies—including TSP’s very own Red Velvet Smoothie—from other food bloggers.
You’ll also want to visit Diane Elbin’s (The W.H.O.L.E. Gang) Friday’s Foodie Fix for more great cherry recipes.
Red Velvet Smoothie
1 cup hemp milk
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 banana
10-12 frozen bing cherries
2 tablespoons rolled GF oats (optional)
2 teaspoons ground flax
2 tablespoons hemp protein powder
Place all the ingredients in a blender. Whir until smooth. Pour in a glass and enjoy.
Notes:
I like hemp milk for smoothies because of it’s thick and creamy texture. Feel free to substitute any dairy or non-dairy milk.
Use fresh bing cherries when they’re in season. You may want to add a few ice cubes if you do. Smoothies are best when they’re cold.
Use any sweetener you like—regular or brown sugar or agave. You could try honey or maple syrup but their flavors are a bit stronger.
And, any protein powder will work. I happen to use hemp but you can use whey, soy or rice protein powder if you prefer.
Feel free to experiment!
Reader Comments (9)
Oh, yum!! Like a chocolate milkshake only better.
What a great idea--wish I could have banana right now! My current favorite smoothie is a variation on the Apple Pie Smoothie I posted about a while back--I've switched up the greens on occasion, but I love the avocado in a smoothie (my way of getting that creamy texture without the banana). :)
Ricki - been reading a lot about avocados in all kinds of recipes and I'm going to have to experiment more with them. I like the hemp milk because it's creamy but found the banana makes the smoothie thick. I've also found a tablespoon or two of rolled oats will thicken a smoothie. It changes the flavor a bit, though. I'm going to check out your apple pie smoothie. Just started putting apples in mine. -Nancy
Love this! It sounds super yummy and a great, fast way to get several servings of fruit in for the day!
Lindsey - Exactly! It's very filling, too. I've recently made it with Amazing Grass Green Superfood and use the chocolate version. I omit the cocoa and sugar from the recipe. It really boosts the veggie content. And, it's just as good. -Nancy
CHOCOLATE!!! I've been muttering that word under my breath all day! Off to the kitchen I go to make one of these smoothies ... it's healthy AND includes CHOCOLAAAATTTTE. I might make a double batch and put half of it in my ice cream maker, what do ya think?
Thanks!
Alexa
Lexie's Kitchen
Alexa - Go for it! I love experimentation. The other thing that would be good is freezing it in those Popsicle molds. I might add more chocolate if I did that. Yum. Let me know your results. Nancy
Oh yum! I've been mixing: cherries, spinach, protein powder, and almond milk for a fabby on-the-go breakfast. But this sounds delicious too. What hemp milk do you like best? We are newbies in the gf-df world and I'm still experimenting.
So glad to find you!
Kristin @theschellcafe
Hi, Kristin. Thanks for visiting TSP. I like Living Harvest Tempt Hemp Milk. It's GF & DF. Your smoothie sounds good! I've been adding more greens to my smoothies lately. Makes me feel very healthy! -Nancy
What protein powder to you recommend? The one I've tried isn't all that tasty!
Hi, Sarah! I use either Bob's Red Mill or Living Harvest Hemp protein powder. I cover the flavor (or lack of it) with chocolate or fruit. The protein powder does not seem to interfere with the smoothie flavors. It does darken the smoothie, though, since Hemp protein powder is a dark greenish gray (so appetizing!).
Nancy, this smoothie sounds amazing! What a crazy perfect combination of flavors for it! There may be a special treat for breakfast for the boys in the morning since i have every ingredient for this right now! My boys will think I have gone soft getting some chocolate with breakfast! LOL
This looks delicious! I can't wait to try it.