An intense chocolate smoothie that’s thick and creamy without added fat and sugar. Perfectly customizable for a healthy meal or snack.
I was driving home from snowboarding the other day when I realized that the sun was still out — it was a little after 5:30 PM. Do you guys know what that means?!? It means that the days are getting longer, which means that spring is coming, which means that winter’s cold dark reign is coming to an end! Yipee!
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy winter and the change of pace/scenery that it brings, but I’m very much over it by the time January rolls around, and by February I’m looking at investing in property in Arizona so that I can migrate down there for 5 months and avoid the winters up here. But that’s besides the point…
The point is, it’s getting warmer, which is wonderful news given my current… err… situation. Remember when I told you guys about my smoothie addiction? It’s still going strong… and it now involves chocolate…
Two smoothies a day has become my new minimum, and I’m very much looking forward to being able to enjoy my addiction without having to pack on multiple layers of hoodies and fuzzy socks — especially because even that doesn’t seem to help when I decide to get a little crazy and use frozen milk…
But it’s worth it… so very worth it. This smoothie is so thick and creamy that I should probably just call it a milkshake. It becomes so aerated when you first blend it up that the texture reminds me of a fluffy Wendy’s frosty… minus all the crazy ingredients and sugar. The chocolate flavour is intense and completely overshadows the banana if you’re not a huge fan. And the best part is that you can make this into a meal or a snack depending on what you toss in it. So give it a try! If you need me, I’ll be by the fireplace in my hoodie and fuzzy socks…
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Thick and Creamy Chocolate Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk (or regular milk)*
- 1 small/medium banana, frozen
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- dash of cinnamon
- 1 tsp. instant coffee granules (optional)
- 2 Tbsp. chocolate or vanilla protein powder (optional)
- 1Tbsp. nut butter (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into any standard blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
* if you want to make your smoothie even thicker, freeze your milk in an use cube tray prior to making.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
I hate to brag, but it’s sunny and 60 degrees here.. I officially have spring fever! Smoothies are a quick go- to breakfast for me. This looks like a full blown milkshake, and I love it! Chocolate all the way.
Pft. Way to rub it in 😛 And here I was happy with 32.
My mom and I noticed the time change the other day! It’s so exciting! Lol. I’m usually over snow by the time Christmas is over… which pretty much stinks because the worst of winter is usually after the holidays anyway. Oof!
This looks delicious but if I make ANY smoothie, the weather has got to make a change first! I’m doing a smoothie dance(?) for warm weather!
mmmmmmmmm chocolate, this is something I’ve done befor, and I’m a fan!! I love everything chocolate!
I looooove when the days get longer! I actually just really noticed it this morning. It was lighter out earlier than normal, and I got so excited. 🙂
Your milkshake/smoothie looks great! Honestly, I love chocolate or vanilla – I don’t discriminate! 😉
Girl I’m lovin’ it! Great recipe! You have GOT TO get a Blendtec babe!! You’ll die and be in smoothie heaven! You can get free shipping through my website if you decide to go that route:) Just sayin!!:) Either way your recipes are great! Love it<3
That smoothie looks sooo good!! Lately, I’ve been loving green monster smoothies for breakfast, but this chocolate smoothie looks great and will have to make an appearance as a post-workout snack or breakfast. The past weekend it was around 75 here where I live in New Mexico and its starting to get pretty windy, so those have been signs of spring!
Yesterday the sun stayed out until 6:30! My eyes could hardly believe what they were seeing! As for the smoothie/milkshake question… Im going to go out on a limb here and say strawberry. But it really depends were Im getting it from. If its homemade or if Im going to dip my fries in it {Do not knock it till you try it} then I love chocolate. If I’m getting one from anywhere else then its strawberry. I just cannot decide.
You’re the first person to say strawberry! Yay! I was actually obsessed with strawberry ice cream at some point, but now it’s back to vanilla. And I’ve actually heard good things about dipping fries in milkshakes… nothing like the sweet and salty combo 😀
Um can you say YUM?! There’s even coffee in this… oh Lordy!!
YUM! The thicker the smoothies the better – I thick they’re more satisfying this way! And I love mine chocolate based…no surprise there! 😉 I typically eat smoothies for breakfast; although, sometimes I’ll eat it with a granola or breakfast bar depending on what I put in it and how satisfying it is.
increases daylight = more time for food photography!!! Blogger probs…
for the record I still think PMS smoothie would have worked…and I could use one right now. But I also need to grocery shop but you’re distracting me…and now we’ll never skype…and I’m out of cashews…the end.
Oh holy yum! Best get some bananas in the freezer!
Showing signs of spring here in Scotland too – gets dark about 6pm now! And it’s getting light when I leave the crossfit box in the morning at 8am, makes such a difference!
That smoothie sure looks like YUM! I made my first smoothie this weekend. I have no idea why I have never made one before. It’s been 85 in Arizona so this weekend I whipped up my first smoothie recipe and it was awesome. Recipe post is going up today! Guess we all have smoothies on our minds.
By the way, do you live on the west coast? I’m looking for some west coast bloggers for a get together!
Not exactly on the coast, no… but on the west side of Canada 😆 I’m from Alberta.
This looks good. I’ve never been a chocolate smoothie/ice cream kind of gal. It’s honestly just not sweet enough for me personally. I cannot wait for it to warm up a bit so I can have more smoothie snacks. They are never filling enough to hold me over for more then a few hours but they are nice treats.
OHHP! I think you should take that consideration a little more seriously and move to Arizona so we can bake ALL THE THINGS! And then go to Sephora, Lush, and MAC afterwards as a reward of all our hard work.
We can pit stop at Whole Foods too, so you can snag some almond butter and I can face plant into their macaroons. Sound like a plan? 😀
…. you’re a horrible temptress 😛 And by horrible I mean stoppppp tempting me so much!
This blows Wendy outta the park!! YUM! I cannot wait for warm weather..I actually prefer drinking smoothies in the winter (weird I know) but the thought of them makes me think of warm..so..I WANT WARM!
I make this all the time for my after workout protein shake!! And I’m always making sure that the fruti I use goes well with chocolate. Otherwise it’s not happening haha Chocolate is a must!
def my snack today!! xoxo
Oh this sounds good! I love the combination of coffee and chocolate! I made a smoothie for breakfast this morning, probably wasn’t the best choice as I was shivering while drinking it on the way to work but it was so, so good! I’ll have to try this!
Mmm I love milkshakes so this looks amazing! I can’t wait to give it a try 🙂
Your smoothie looks like it was absolutely delicious! I normally go for a vanilla-based smoothie, but sometimes chocolate is just what I need. And I love the extra protein powder added; I’m always looking for an easy way to sneak in some extra protein because I don’t eat a ton of meat. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Looks delicious! I LOVE chocolate, but surprisingly when it comes to smoothies I prefer vanilla!
Definitely chocolate! Although vanilla is good every once in awhile. I go through phases with smoothies- I love having one to sip on throughout the afternoon. The weather was beautiful here in Texas this past weekend- 83 degrees and sunny! The Midwest will always be home, but I don’t miss the winters!
Uhm. This has two straws in it. Does that mean I have to share it? uhm..because I don’t plan on it. 🙂
Although, it may have to get a bit warmer before I can enjoy smoothies. Do you wear gloves when you drink them? Because I don’t think I could even imagine holding that glass right now 🙂
I noticed it getting lighter a few days ago, too! It made me mega happy!!!!
😆 No gloves, but I imagine that those and a toque would definitely help a bit.
I am totally with you on the winter thing. I’m usually done until mid January. This winter has been too much I am starting to curse on my commutes into work…The winter makes it so much more inconvenient. I love thick smoothies! Will definitely be adding this to my list of cold things to make!
I have been addicted to smoothies lately too! I’ve never tried one with coffee in it, but I’m obsessed with coffee, so I really need to try this! Thank you for sharing it looks and sounds delicious!
This looks delicious! I actually tried your smoothie with oats in it, it was so good! And I love the frozen-milk trick. Must try this version ASAP!
I’ve never thought to use frozen milk in a smoothie!! ohmygoodness, definitely trying that.
And my chocoholic-isms force me to choose chocolate over vanilla every time (unless we’re talking about ice cream…that’s my only exception).
And smoothies are my one of my go-tos for breakfast or lunch. I just throw some cereal on top so that I’m actually crunching on something.
As for signs of spring, I was at my parent’s yesterday and couldn’t help notice all the birds overcrowding their feeders…does that mean that winter’s going to go away soon? (ohmygod. Please say yes. Soooo ready for spring).
Ice cream is my exception as well. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a chocolate ice cream that I felt was chocolatey enough for me.
Whoa. The creaminess factor here looks like it is through the roof. I’ve said before that I’m not the biggest fan of chocolate, BUT I would still totally try this. Needless to say, I do still prefer vanilla based smoothies.
Smoothies as meals are AWESOME.
My friends and I heard birds singing the other day in bio class (how appropriate)! But then it started snowing for two days straight. K.
I love how creamy that smoothie looks! I do green smoothie’s all the time for breakfast but lately have been playing around with making a few more sweet (but still healthy) varieties. 🙂 Spring is definitely on it’s way in Georgia that is! I noticed some flowers just starting to bud out yesterday and I think we have so many birds in our back yard!
Looks amazinggg… I love smoothies! But I’ll have to wait ultill I get home to make it, so… 7 hours and counting! haha!
Love the idea of the frozen milk.,. I’ll give it a try!
YUM! That looks so good.. I made a green smoothie the other day and now and regretting that decision. chocolate > green
Unless you add chocolate to your green smoothies 😀
Nut butter just MAKES a smoothie, no?
You can bet I’ve been loving smoothies lately, what with the weather in POSITIVE degrees we’ve been having! And mine are always chocolate. It’s not even a question.
Right?! I can’t even believe the luck we’ve been having with winter this year… It didn’t seem as long as it usually does.
Chocolate/PB/Banana is my all-time favorite smoothie combo. I found some dark-chocolate flavored almond milk that makes this even more amazing.
I’ve been having day-dreams constantly about spring and summer. I soooo over winter!
So good! Chocolate plus banana is always a good option. I have been pricing the sun stay out a bit longer which makes me soooo happy. Have a great day!
Wow this looks amazing! I need to try this soon 🙂 Thanks for the recipe Amanda!
I don’t love smoothies. It’s not that I don’t like them actually, I just never look to have one. Once I start sipping one though, I usually enjoy it. Chocolate over vanilla unless it’s a vanilla base with chocolate mix-ins. I used to like Wendy’s Frosty’s with French fries dipped in…Friendlys (which you probably don’t have up in Canada) makes a mean fribble- which is a milkshake. Again, never what I ordered but people swear by them!
A smoothie with frozen milk – girrrl – thats BRILLIANT!!! I love smoothies – but never used frozen milk before! Do you prefer smoothies thickened with oats or frozen milk?
When December rolls around I start to feel the need for spring! My tulip bulbs have leaves pushing thru – and I am hoping that means no more snow! Arizona sounds WONDERFUL now – but I really shouldn’t complain cos its gonna be in the 70s tomorrow 🙂 I will take freaky warm weather anytime! Hope you are having a wonderful day sweet lady!
I think it depends on what I’m craving… Smoothies with oats feel a little thicker and more doughy, whereas using frozen milk just makes things creamier… if that makes sense 😆 They’re both good 😀
Aaaand the days are getting shorter over here! Aaaand I’m looking forward to some cold! Yes really. We still sitting in sticky, hot weather so I’m just waiting patiently now.
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate for me. I haven’t had a smoothie or milkshake in forever..I’ll probably wait till it gets cold. Because honestly..it’s much more enjoyable to make and slurp a smoothie when it isn’t warming up and melting to a thin liquid right in front of you.
This looks delicious 🙂
Ummm, can you say CHOCOLATE!? This smoothie sounds and looks terrific! I usually use double dark chocolate protein powder in my smoothies, along with unsweetened original almond milk 🙂
And yes I definitely eat smoothies as meals – at least once a day if I have all the ingredients!
Have you ever tried adding unsweetened cocoa powder to your smoothies? It definitely makes them more chocolatey and even helps thicken them a little 😀
That’s so funny you say that – I have dark chocolate unsweetened cocoa powder in my cupboard right now! I have never tried it in a smoothie though! I can’t imagine it would be anything less than amazing! 🙂
I always end up throwing blueberries and spinach in all my smoothies – hard to taste and so packed with vitamins! Can’t go wrong if you add chocolate too!
YUM! I am trying to eat less dairy, but I love greek yogurt in my smoothies so I appreciate finding smoothie recipes without dairy, thanks!