Cool, creamy, and ridiculously comforting! This Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Smoothie tastes indulgent but is made with healthy ingredients like dates and oats!
We’ve enjoyed beautiful sunny weather all week and then it decides to be cloudy and dark on the day I need to photograph a recipe. Typical. But after teasing you guys with visions of salted caramel cookie dough smoothies for a couple of days, I wasn’t about to hold off any longer — I’ll take a difficult photoshoot over the wrath of hungry readers any day 😉
That being said, I’m actually super happy that it’s cooling down. After the sprinkling of snow we got hit with a few weeks back, this past week saw us enjoying a slight heat wave which I didn’t really care for much. I mean… I want my sweater weather, dammit!
But I guess I can’t hate on the heat too much since that was what prompted me to create this freaking amazing smoothie. See, I wanted something that was cool and creamy but still comforting… meaning nothing overly fruity or fresh tasting. I thought about going the pumpkin route, but with the recent shortage and a few other recipes floating around in my head, I didn’t exactly have any pumpkin to spare. I did, however… have dates.
Fun fact: I didn’t actually have my first taste of dates until I was well into my 20’s (I grew up with raisins), and it was basically love at first bite. Not only are dates wonderfully sweet and gooey, but they also happen to taste a whole heck of a lot like caramel — hence the name of this smoothie.
Yup! This smoothie is made with dates. I apologize if you came here expecting actual caramel, but I can promise you that one sip of this healthier version will have you singing a different tune. It’s de-freaking-licious. The salt is, of course, optional, but highly recommended since it really helps bring out the sweetness of the dates.
As for the cookie dough part of the equation — again, it’s not actual cookie dough — but it is incredibly doughy thanks to the addition of raw oats. It’s also incredibly thick, creamy, and comforting. And if you’ve never tried adding oats to your smoothies, you need to change that stat because it will change.your.life. And why not start with a Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Smoothie? 😀
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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Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 1/4 frozen banana (2 – 3 small chunks, about 25 g)
- 1/4 cup (20 g) rolled oats
- 3 large or 5 small dates, pitted (around 1/4 cup, 45 g)
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) vanilla almond milk
- 3 – 4 frozen almond milk cubes (or ice cubes)
- 1 tbsp (16 g) almond butter (optional)*
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all the 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!
Notes
* You can leave out the almonds and it will still taste amazing. These are just for added creaminess. Also, if you don’t have almonds on hand, a Tbsp. of almond butter will work too.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
Looking for more comforting smoothie recipes? Try one of these!
Chocolate Mousse Smoothie
Oatmeal Cookie Dough Smoothie
Thick and Creamy Chocolate Smoothie
Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal Smoothie
Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie
Yes to date love! They make smoothies SO much better. However, I have never added oats to a smoothie before but now that it’s been described by the master, aka you, I absolutely HAVE to. 🙂
Have a great weekend girly!
Hey Amanda! What would you recommend as a substitute for the bananas? They are the one thing I won’t eat, but really want to make this smoothie!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Amber! It would probably be fine if you replaced the bananas with a couple extra cubes of frozen almond milk. And if it isn’t sweet enough, toss in an extra date 🙂
this looks/sounds SO GOOD. definitely pinning for later!
I love adding raw oats to smoothies – does such wonderful things for the texture! This one sounds delish.
This.is.amazing.
🙂
I love dates as a replacement for caramel. I don’t even miss regular caramel!
I thought of you last night while I was shoveling dates + Justins in my mouth last night. When you come to visit “us” I’m going to make sure my kitchen is stocked with it.
You do realize that you’ll never be able to get rid of me if you treat me that well when I visit, right?
This is definitely on my “to-make” list after my Lurong challenge is done! Sounds delicious!
I have such an ignorant question, forgive me… but what did you top it with?? More almonds… or more cookies??
I’m going to try making this for my post-run smoothie tomorrow, can’t waitttt. (or maybe dessert tonight haha).
I actually topped it with some of my vegan cookie dough that I had lying around — http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2014/08/11/vegan-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough/
I LOOOOOOVE THIS. Dates are one of my favorite foods. I actually brought some to work to snack on later today. They’re the best. I happen to like salt too. So this smoothie is definitely working for me 🙂
I have been wanting to try oats in a smoothie for a while now, but it seems I can never remember. I need to buy some dates and make this one asap! Looks so good! Have a wonderful weekend Amanda!
I too gre up on raisins and didn’t try dates until my early 20’s! Then when I went to the Middle East I really fell in love – coffee and dates after every meal and when you go visiting… Amazing!!
Weather in Scotland is varied at the moment, a bit dark and grey and getting a bit more chilly as very day passes… Fingers crossed for a warm autumn!
I would absolutely -love- to have the opportunity to try fresh dates from the Middle East. They must taste amazing. And fingers crossed for you 🙂
I need this ASAP!! And I’m 21 { turning 22 soon } and still have yet to try dates hahaha, every time I’m in the store and see the price I cry a little on the inside haha.
That smoothie looks delicious! I am looking forward to some cooler weather in my neck of the woods too. Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!
I cannot wait to try this out. As in, I might have to stop at the grocery store on the way home to get the dates. Because this looks awesome. And hopefully the smoothie God’s are back on my side when I do make this, since I spilled my morning smoothie all over my car this morning (there were no tears, but there were some not nice words…)
Oh noes! Hate it when that happens. But at least it was the car and not you — that might have been a little more awkward to deal with.
I’ve never had dates before…I’ll have to try them because this smoothie looks AMAZING!
It’s completely normal to plan to have a smoothie for dinner tonight, right?! 😉
I just have to make sure I’ve got bananas in the freezer!
As normal as it is to have a smoothie for lunch 😉
So happy to see this recipe! I’m about to go out and get me some dates. I’ve been dreaming of this since you posted the teaser picture, ha ha.
this sounds delicious!!! i will have to stock up on dates soon.
Yum!!! This sounds fab!! Banana is such an essential in smoothies to create that nice creamy texture! This is a definite weekend smoothie! Can’t wait to try it! 🙂
Yum, yum, yum! This smoothie sounds amazing! I just need to pick up some dates and then I have all ingredients. Can’t wait to try it!
The weather is pretty much perfect in my area at the moment. Low 70s and sunny – it seriously should be like that all year round!
The only dried fruit I ever liked was raisins. I used to eat them to the point of ridiculous. Nowadays they are an after thought although sometimes I stuff them into my Lulu pants pocket as a midrun snack instead of jelly beans.
Oh man…..i have no words. I’m just drooling, don’t mind me. 😉
No judgment *hands over a Kleenex* 😉
I love that this probably tastes like cookies but doesn’t actually have anything bad in it! Yummy! I have had dates but never really use them. I should really start keeping some on hand.
I specifically came here before eating breakfast to see if i had all the ingredients. I do so it’s happening 😀
Oh girl, you’re wonderful! 😀 I hope you loved it!
Genius! Can’t wait to try this since Wednesday! Lol love the raw oats and dates I know this will be heavenly! Thanks for sharing Amanda you rock!
These are like my two favorite flavors combined into one! This sounds absolutely AMAZING. I’m scared to try the healthier ingredients but it might be worth it for salted caramel cookie dough flavoring 🙂
I am seriously hooked on any smoothie involving dates! I SO prefer the sweetness from dates as opposed to nanners in smoothies lately. I can’t wait to squeeze this beauty in before the cool weather hits!! Pinned 🙂
Oh wow…totes trying this out this next weekend! Love the use of dates to add a sweet flavour. And when caramel/caramel flavour is involved, the salt should never be optional- just sayin ;)! And lady you could’ve fooled me about the dark day…your pics look super! At the risk of sounding 80, raisins have my vote for favourite dried fruit, especially when roasted almonds are involved! Dare I say that I am also a huuuge fan of oatmeal raisin cookies!!
I’ll happily join you in the granny club because I absolutely ADORE raisins. I remember hating on them big time when I was younger and being all about the chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, but honestly… now I think I prefer the ones with raisins!
Girl! This has got to be one of your best smoothies ever! Yay for date-filled, lactose free smoothies! When I was younger I had such an infatuation with dates – one time I ate so many, I ended up in the hospital! These days, I manage to still to a handful 🙂
I, for one one not looking forward to cooler weather – am gonna drink this smoothie wrapped in a blanket – by a fire, when temps are in their 60s!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I just licked my computer screen at work. It didn’t taste like caramel… But I think I got a hint of salt! Eww. This looks amazing, dark sky or not! Wow.
I had a thing for banana chips growing up. I still enjoy them in a trail mix or whatever.
their appearance, duh!
It is thanks to you I begin adding raw oats to smoothies and I love the thickness they add. For me, smoothies are best when they require a spoon. 🙂 I don’t think I ate my first date by itself until this year! I must admit they aren’t the prettiest fruit and there appearance was rather off putting. Good thing they are so tasty. My current favorite dried fruit is figs, another delicacy I didn’t touch until this year. I am also particularly partial to prunes.
It is still terribly warm here BUT yesterday was the first day it was not in the triple digits which was such a relief. I love sundresses but I am looking forward to expanding my wardrobe a bit. Tonight I am ushering which means longs black pants, long button down white shirt, and a black jacket. If you don’t ever hear from me again it is because I melted in the stuffy theatre lobby.
Hope your weekend is autumnal!
Figs are so wonderful — I love the crunch from the seeds 🙂 And I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that they crank out some AC! Hope to hear from you soon 😉
This smoothie = beyond epic. LOVE!
Favorite dried fruit = Turkish figs
Happy Friday, girl!
So the nuts make it salty? Sounds delicious!
I wonder what I could sub the oats for, or maybe just try with gluten free oats? Anyhow it looks amazing, and once again I’m blown away by you food photography skills!
Gluten-free oats would definitely work! Or you could try subbing it with a few Tbsp. of coconut flour. I’ve added that to smoothies before and it does a great job at thickening them up too.
Hi Amanda! You know, I’ve never tried oats in my smoothie before so I’m ready for the epic spin!! I have no clue why I haven’t just didn’t. I love the unique combination of flavors you have going on in this smoothie. And I’m in my mid-30s and haven’t yet tried dates, hmmmm, think it’s time =)
Mmm. I haven’t tried dates before. Yeah, i know.. I need to try them! lol Looks delicious though! Our weather is supposed to be in the mid 70s tomorrow, but today the high is upper 60s.
Never?! Girl! You -need- to change that! I’m about 99.9% sure that you’re going to absolutely love them.
Holy yum!!! That looks so good. I love adding oats to my smoothies because it really does make it taste so creamy and delicious!
Yum, this looks so creamy and delicious! I was really needing the recipe after all the teasing you did 😉