Black Forest Smoothie Recipe

Black Forest Smoothie Recipe

Today we are making a Black Forest Smoothie Recipe! If you aren’t aware, black forest consists of chocolate, cherries and whipped cream. The perfect combination! The tartness of cherries perfectly complements the dark flavor of the cocoa bean. So today, I bring to you a recipe that combines the flavors to give you a rich frappuccino (that’s healthy enough to drink everyday)!

It is believed that Black Forest was named after things used in the the Black Forest region in Germany. In the 16th century, chocolate started being used in baked goods. Then this area of Germany also became known for its sour cherries and its Kirsch, which is a cherry brandy.

The cake is thought to have been named after this brandy. The actual person who invented the cake was a pastry chef by the name of Josef Keller. At some time, Josef’s son inherited the recipe and has been able to carry on the original recipe.

Coconut milk, as I’ve mentioned in previous frappuccino recipes (like this Mocha Strawberry frappuccino) frozen into ice cubes is the secret sauce here. I tried to get the creaminess of the frappuccino without having to make you go out and search for a pint of vegan ice cream in the natural food aisle. After some experimenting, I decided to stick with frozen coconut milk ice cubes for the creamy factor.

Why You’ll Love This Black Forest Smoothie Recipe

Super Decadent: The rich cacao flavor with the sweet taste of frozen dark cherries and coconut milk makes this delicious smoothie full of nutrition and tasting like a creamy frappuccino! It’s kind of like a remake of the Black Forest Cake frappe off the Starbucks secret menu!

Antioxidant-Rich: Cacao powder is known to be an excellent source of antioxidants (in the form of polyphenols called flavonoids), for good reason. Cacao has the highest phenolic antioxidants by weight than any other food! May I also add that it has over 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries?!

Here’s another fact for your immune system: Cherries also have a lot of health benefits and pack an amazing punch of vitamins and minerals themselves. Along with having high levels of vitamin C, they’re great or exercise recovery, improving symptoms of heart disease, boosting brain function, having alkaline properties, reducing oxidative damage, lowering blood pressure, improving symptoms of arthritis and gout, and helping overall health and increasing your quality of life by incorporating these berries, as well as other alkaline foods.

Dessert Smoothie … But Healthy!

I do love the trend of detox smoothies. You know, a healthy green smoothie for better health. A bit of leafy greens like fresh spinach, a little bit of lemon juice, some plant-based milk, chia seeds, green fruits – love it! But there’s one of my favorite ingredients missing – chocolate!

So I love drinking this when I want a decadent but healthy breakfast (makes me feel like I’m eating unhealthy foods, but really it has hidden healthy ingredients). Or, as an afternoon snack when I want a more rich smoothie with chocolate, versus a green smoothie recipe with coconut water and leafy greens! It increases my energy levels to have a homemade, creamy frappuccino-like smoothie versus buying a processed Starbucks drink! Making recipes like this are also easy ways to get in healthy vitamins and minerals.

Substitutions

Agave: Replace with another liquid sweetener, such as pure maple syrup. Start with 4 tablespoons as listed in the recipe card, then add more as desired.

Coconut Milk: These are the main ingredient for the frappuccino-like texture. Use full-fat, canned coconut milk. The coconut milk goes into ice cube trays to freeze. Once frozen, we blend these into the recipe for a thicker texture. Do not use carton milk or low-fat! The full-fat version provides healthy fats as well as being a great way to get the creaminess.

Cashew Milk: Substitute with another plant-based milk, such as soy milk, almond milk or oat milk. Non-dairy milks range in flavor, so taste your milk straight out of the refrigerator. If you like the taste of it then, you’ll like it in the smoothie!

Cherries: Use pitted, frozen cherries. You can substitute with frozen raspberries, but it won’t be black forest without the cherries!

Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is used in baking chocolate desserts and can also be used as a replacement to cacao. Before you ask – no, adding a quarter cup of cacao doesn’t turn it into a brown smoothie. In fact, it’s a beautiful dark redd-pink color, as shown in the photos!

Whipped Cream: I use a vegan whipped cream that comes in a can from Gay Lea.

Mini Chocolate Chips: Mini dark chocolate chips or shaved dark chocolate work best here. Check the ingredient label to make sure the chocolate does not contain any milk products.

More Drink Recipes You’ll Love

Frozen Hot Chocolate: This remake of the Frozen Hot Chocolate Starbucks Recipe turns hot chocolate from a winter drink into a summer favorite!

Iced Vanilla Latte: Espresso, milk, ice and vanilla syrup come together in this Starbucks Vanilla Iced Latte Recipe to create this classic coffee drink!

Caramel Macchiato: This Mcdonalds Caramel Macchiato Recipe features frothed and steamed milk with caramel syrup, espresso, whipped cream and caramel drizzle!

Iced White Chocolate Mocha: This Starbucks Iced White Chocolate Mocha Recipe combines coffee with white chocolate sauce for a decadent white chocolate summer drink!

Mocha Frappuccino: This is a healthy, homemade remake of the original Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Recipe which combines mocha sauce, coffee, milk and ice!

Peppermint Mocha: This Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe is a winter favorite drink and will leave you with the holiday feeling year-round!

Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Orange & Blueberry Yogurt Parfaits: These Sugar Free Vegan Breakfast Parfaits use a compote made with a mixture of blueberries, layered with vegan orange creamsicle-like yogurt!

Chocolate Pecan Granola: This chocolate granola recipe uses cacao powder, coconut oil and maple syrup to make a German chocolate inspired granola with coconut, pecan and chocolate!

Creamy Oatmeal Recipe (with Chocolate Chips & Coconut): This oatmeal is Bounty chocolate bar flavored. Chocolate and coconut with creamy fiber-rich oats!

Hawaiian Acai Bowl: Acai powder is the star of the recipe in this acai bowl using a lot of fruits! Frozen banana, cashew milk, mango and blueberries. Acai bowls are known for having toppings with a variety of health foods, such as goji berries, cacao nibs and shredded coconut!

Warm Quinoa Recipe: Turn your regular breakfast oatmeal bowls into quinoa bowls with warm quinoa, roasted almonds and berries!

Orange & Mango Summer Slushies

If you make this Black Forest Smoothie Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!