Chocolate and cherries combine to make one deliciously thick and creamy Black Forest Smoothie. It’s vegan, refined sugar-free, loaded with antioxidants, and makes a perfect breakfast or snack!
I’m pretty sure I would lose the ability to function if my blender ever decided to randomly stop working on me… which is why I keep a spare on hand at all times 😆
I’m kidding, obviously (well, about the functioning bit, anyways), but I do rely on that thing a whole heck of a lot. And by “a whole heck of a lot,” I mean that my blender already has over 200 uses on it, and I’ve only had it for about 4 months. That’s some serious love right there. Either that or a serious obsession. It’s amazing how easily that line can become blurred.
Oh, and before you go calling me crazy for keeping track of my blends (times I’ve used my blender… not my blogging friends), I’ll have you know that it’s the blender that does the counting. It also whispers sweet nothings into my ear says nice things to me, which I realize isn’t the best thing to say as I try to convince you of my sanity, but it’s true!
Told you. But we’re going to leave it at that before things start getting any weirder. Sorry.
So hey! Smoothies. I like them a whole lot and I drink them a whole lot. They’re sweet. They’re refreshing. They’re packed with nutrients. They make an awesome meal or snack. And they’re so good, it [almost] feels bad…
Oh.heck.YES.
Have you heard of Black Forest cakes? The heavenly cakes that combine chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream, and are my absolute favourite cakes of all time? This smoothie is not [just like] a slice of that, obviously.
But it does have chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream [if you don’t forget to add it before taking pictures like I did], so it’s basically the same thing when it comes to recipe naming. I swear… sometimes coming up with a name for a recipe is harder than coming up with the actual recipe itself. And because this was inspired by the Black Forest cake that we’ll be having for my dad’s birthday this weekend (it’s a family tradition), a Black Forest Smoothie it was [is]…
Technically speaking, it’s a chocolate cherry chia smoothie… which actually has a nice ring to it as well, now that I think about it. Maybe I’ll go back and change it before I publish this post. We’ll see. But let’s see what’s actually in the glass, shall we?
Cherries and cocoa for some antioxidant awesomeness. Dates for an extra kick of natural sweetness. Oats for filling fiber. Chia seeds for healthy omega 3’s… Basically lots and lots of goodness in one ridiculously thick and creamy smoothie. You can even add a scoop of your favourite protein powder if you want a little extra oomph, or toss in a handful of spinach to help you get your greens in.
Then again, you may not way to add in anything at all. Because this? This is pretty fabulous as is…
I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!
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Black Forest Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 large smoothie 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1 – 2 (15 – 30 g) Medjool dates, depending on desired sweetness
- 1/4 cup (20 g) rolled oats*
- 1 Tbsp (7 g) chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp (10 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop (30 g) of your favourite protein powder (optional)
- 1 –2 handfuls of baby spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into any standard blender and blend until smooth. This smoothie can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for extra thickness and creaminess. The longer it sits, the thicker it gets!
Notes
* I love adding oats to my smoothies to make them a little creamier and “doughier,” but you can sub the oats for an extra tablespoon of chia seeds if you want this to be grain free.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
Looking for more deliciously creamy smoothie recipes? Try one of these!
Oatmeal Cookie Dough Smoothie
Healthy Chocolate Mousse Smoothie
Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Smoothie
Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal Smoothie
I had to follow the link to find out what is in the smoothie with a perfect name, I read the post and continued to read and discover other great recipes… Love your blog 🙂
What a sweet thing to say! Thanks so much, Jasmin 🙂
I can’t find medjool dates where I am right now…but in 2 months, I’ll be able to and it will be prime cherry season. I CAN.NOT.WAIT. to try this smoothie. Chocolate and cherries disguised as health food? Sign me up and throw away the pen! Thanks for this recipe (and linking up at #FoodieFriDIY!)
Black forest in one of the best flavors out there. And I also like smoothies because it gives out a very refreshing feeling and it is nutritious too. And chocolate and cherry is a wonderful combination.
I bought a big bag of frozen cherries from costco last Friday and I have made a smoothie inspired by this one every day since! I haven’t been measuring my ingredients but I add plain greek yogurt and honey instead of dates (I don’t have any at the moment). So amazing!
This looks amazing, and I’m not even a big chocolate cherry fan. You know who is though? The Hubby. Plus, I’m pretty sure I could be persuaded to come to the dark side yet again. I suspect I will even be pleasantly surprised.
True story: my blender died last week. So I went to the basement, dug up my spare blender, cleaned the whole thing and right before I went to transfer the contents of dead blender to spare blender, I gave it one more shot. And it worked!! So weird, but the moral of the story is I have a spare blender too.
That reminds me of the time I could not for the life of me get my Keurig to work, and then I gave up, took it to my parents’ place, and it worked just fine. The only thing is that I tried it like 20+ times and even ran vinegar through it to make sure it was decalcified. I guess it just didn’t like me…
This looks delicious, have to try it! 🙂
how long have you been vegan?
http://www.lozzieknows.com/
I’m actually not vega, Lauren. I do like to eat mostly plant-based because of how it makes me feel, and I really enjoy the creativity of vegan recipe creation, but I don’t like putting any labels on my diet.
Okay I didn’t even know you could buy frozen cherries – but I’m definitely going to look out for them now!
I couldn’t live without my food processor. Between hummus and sauces and energy balls, I feel like I use it almost every other day.
How delicious does this smoothie sound?! I cannot get enough smoothies lately since it is finally warm here! I will have to buy some frozen cherries soon.
I just made this and am enjoying it after my long run 🙂 Yum! I added a little almond butter too – cause why not! Taste like dessert
Ooo good call on the AB! I’m glad you liked it, Sara!
Just made this smoothie for a mid-morning snack and YUM!!! I skipped the oats, because I already had a bagel and just kept the chia seeds to 1 tablespoon and it was plenty thick. Very tasty, thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you liked it, Lauren! Thanks for letting me know 😀
Oh my gosh, this looks incredible!!
Please remind me to tell you the story about the ice cream cake.
This is me reminding you to tell me the story about the ice cream cake. GO!
HAHA OMG that goodbye message from your Blentec is brilliant! Mine is too old for that, but it does keep track of all my “blends” for me! This smoothie looks so decadent.
Wait a second…a black forest cake I am not allergic to and can DRINK?! Thanks for sharing!
I would have to say my coffee maker! I love my coffee routine every morning.
I LOVE ALL CAKE…I do not discriminate. As long as there is LOTS of icing, I am a happy girl! Cannot wait to make this recipe…XOXO
these have been taunting me all day. drooling. Must get in my belly. P.S if i bribe you, will you move to TX?
I’m tempted to say yes… but how would I keep my poor Canadian self from melting in the heat?!
PS – will you be at Blend?!
i think james and i have to take on extra work on the weekends until he finds a real job. Ugh, i so wanted to go. But we have to focus on getting things paid off right now. If he finds a steady job soon, i might be able to go but so far it’s not looking good. Praying. xoxo
YUM! I’m a little late to the date party – I just tried adding them in smoothies for the first time last week! And now I’m excited for another recipe to enjoy, thanks!
Aren’t they amazing?! I actually have a recipe using them that tastes [almost] like salted caramel cookie dough — http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2014/09/19/salted-caramel-cookie-dough-smoothie/
Wow I’ll definitely have to try that one too!
I’ve never had Black Forest cake, but those flavors together sound incredible! My favorite type of cake is definitely ice cream cake 😀
I LOVE the combination of frozen cherries + cocoa powder in smoothies! I’ve been doing more frozen strawberries/raspberries/bananas in smoothies, but now I feel like I need some cherries back in my life!
Oh this look so YUMMY! I made your Banana Bread Energy Bites the other day and let’s just say they’re already gone…
I mean, who needs boys when you have a blender to love up on you 😉 ? Seriously laughed out loud when I saw it’s little remark to you hahaha. But girlie. These photos. SWOONING. They look like they came straight out of a Food Network magazine!
Thanks, love! Definitely lucked out with some good sunshine [for once].
I love cheesecake (the German version of it), and carrot cake (…also the German version, lol. withouth cream ceese frosting). Black forest cake is realllly good too and whenever I’m at a birthday party where there’s BFC, I’m having a slice of that! I can totally imagine this smoothie to be super awesome, delicious and creamy!!
Ha! Your blender obsession is awesome. I think many other HLB’s have blender obsessions too. Thanks for reminding me of the chocolate+cherry combo–I tend to forget about it for some reason.
Wait – your blender really tells you it will miss you? My Keurig only barks at me to add more water – but, it is still my fav – because me without coffee isn’t pretty to be around!
I couldn’t agree more “coming up with a name for a recipe is harder than coming up with the actual recipe itself” – there have been more times than I can imagine where I spend more time thinking about a name for a recipe than actually cooking/baking it!
I adore thick smoothies and your smoothies always look thick enough to eat with a spoon! Another winning combo, Amanda! Hope you have a wonderful weekend…now I gotta go find me some cake any cake!
I can imagine it being especially difficult for you, Shashi, with all the crazy creative recipes you come up with! I’d honestly be at a loss!
I have never been the biggest cherry fan, and I have never tried black forest cake. CRAZY! My favorite cake though is funfetti or ice cream cake.
I really, really need to try making a smoothie one of these days WITH oats. I know for a fact I would love the addition of oats because I’d rather eat my smoothie with a spoon (<3) than a straw. Also, I have never had a bite of german chocolate cake. I'm not a HUGE fan of cherries and chocolate together because they remind me of the sickening sweet gross cherries you get at Valentine's Day. UGH. Bad memories of eating way too many at once and… well, getting sick.
And that's my story for today. 🙂 Btw, just invite your mom to dinner and make her breakfast! LOL Or have her make you pancakes because I remember you telling me hers are the only ones you love!
I remember those cherries, and I’m definitely with you on not being a fan. This isn’t anything like that, though… mostly because it doesn’t involve that weird syrupy stuff that those cherries are usually drenched in.
Oats in smoothies is the bomb. I haven’t made a smoothie in ages – I have used my blender a lot lately for real milkshakes. But I do like smoothies when I feel like being healthy 😛 And the fact that this is based off of black forest cake means I would forego my milkshake for this smoothie. PS your blender is hilarious. I want a talking blender.
I think I’ve only had Black Forest Cake once, a very long time ago, but it must have been made with a lot of artificial ingredients because I wasn’t that crazy about it. I’m sure a homemade version would knock my socks off though because I love all of the ingredients and I LOVE them in this smoothie! Your pictures are gorgeous too, per usual. 🙂
I hope your dad has a great birthday this weekend and that you get to eat lots of delicious cake!
I’m not typically a cherry + chocolate kinda gal, but you mayyyy have just sold me on this smoothie. It look so rich and creamy!
Blender and Keurig are most definitely my most used and favorite appliances as well. I wonder often how in the world I ever lived without my Keurig!! 😉
Right?! I even use mine to make hot water for tea and oatmeal 😆
Black forest cakes are the bomb. Seriously. And for once I have all the ingredients, so this is gonna happen…possibly for lunch lol
p.s. your blender is the definition of #blendergoals. The only thing mine whispers to me is…well nothing it’s more of a loud shouter to be honest haha
I am actually drinking a banana smoothie as i read this! I am a big fan of adding cherries to my smoothies so this looks right up my alley. I have never tried adding dates though- need to get on that!
Definitely give it a shot! They add the most amazing caramelly sweetness, and I’ve actually been using them a lot in place of bananas.
I don’t even know where to start on this one. This looks magical. One time my husband was in crazy smoothie experimentation mode and added a whole bunch of oats. I think his ratios were off because it just turned into a giant solid lump and was awful.
I have been so lazy with my smoothies and just make the same two over and over again. I need to get some of this in my life.
Honestly? If it weren’t for the fact that I needed new recipes for the blog, I’d probably stick to the same few smoothies as well. I have a favourite chocolate one that I drink pretty much everyday 😆
I wish my blender said sweet things to me!! I sometimes ask Siri if I look pretty today, but it’s not quite the same…
Favorite kitchen appliance? Probably my immersion blender. I make smoothies with it, but it also works for a million other things!
Looks yummo! As for appliances, I wouldn’t be able to live without a fridge because it keeps food cold enough to not give us E.Coli. <—– Aren't I adorably profound?
😆 That’s actually a pretty brilliant answer. I never even thought of the fridge — I guess it’s just one of those things I take for granted!
You know I can’t live without my keurig. lol…I am loving this combo right here because I LOVE frozen cherries. I can’t eat fresh cherries (allergies) but I live for picking out the frozen from my very cherry blend. I must make this per my smoothie craving. Just without the almond milk.
Does the fact that they’re frozen seriously make a big difference in the allergies? That might explain why I seem to be okay with frozen strawberries and blueberries but less okay with the fresh ones…
I love that you have a spare blender! Priorities of course! Chocolate and cherry is one of my favorite combos, and definitely my first favorite chocolate combo as a kid, with those chocolate covered cherries. Yum!
Welllll, technically it’s just a little Magic Bullet, but it definitely gets the job done in a pinch!
Black Forest is one of mu favorite flavors. I will be making this for sure. Chocolate and cherry or chocolate and orange are the best.
And let us not forget… chocolate and RASPBERRIES! Sinfully delicious!
This looks seriously delicious- total dessert in a cup! Have you tried white forest cake with white chocolate & peaches..I think you’d love it! My favorite cake is an ice cream cake too, but I am equally happy with a plain sponge cake especially when tea is involved!
Wait, wait… WHITE forest cake?! This is honestly the first time I’m hearing about it, but hooooly.snap do I want to try it now!
I found you through Pinterest and just made this and I am dying from the awesomeness. Thank you so very much for crushing my love of all things chocolate and cherry.