Indulge in a delicious and nutritious chocolate cherry smoothie packed with protein, antioxidants, and natural sweetness. Made with a handful of healthy ingredients, this cherry smoothie with chocolate protein powder is perfect for a morning boost or a post-workout drink.
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If you enjoy this cherry cacao smoothie, you'll also want to sip on our healthy snickers smoothie or find your favorite meal replacement smoothies in our collection of the best. For white chocolate lovers, try our Bahama mama smoothie with tropical flavors.
The first time I made this nutritious smoothie after a workout I was hooked, and I've been making it on repeat for years. I love that it tastes like dessert while still having outstanding health benefits. I always keep a bag of frozen cherries in my freezer specifically for making this chocolate cherry protein smoothie.
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Why We Love this Recipe
Nutrient-packed: This healthy smoothie combines the benefits of protein, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals from ingredients like chocolate protein powder, cacao powder, and frozen cherries, providing a wholesome and balanced meal or snack option.
Convenient: Quick and easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and time, making it a convenient option for busy mornings or as a midday pick-me-up.
It's delicious! It tastes like a milkshake, but is naturally sweetened and filled with nutrient rich ingredients that will leave you feeling energized. We love the classic flavor combination of sweet chocolate and tart cherries.
Ingredients
- Frozen cherries - Packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, frozen cherries contribute natural sweetness and a burst of tartness. Making a frozen cherry smoothie saves time because you don't have to pit fresh cherries.
- Chocolate protein powder - Offers a boost of protein, essential for muscle repair and growth, making this smoothie a satisfying post-workout option or a filling meal replacement.
- Cacao powder - Rich in antioxidants and minerals like magnesium and iron, cacao powder adds a deep, dark chocolate flavor to this smoothie without the added sugar found in traditional cocoa powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder can be used as a substitute.
- Milk - We prefer unsweetened almond milk in this shake, but feel free to use your favorite milk. If you want to add an extra chocolatey flavor, use chocolate milk.
Healthy Smoothie Add-ins
- Nuts: Throw in a few almonds or a dollop of almond butter to pair well with the cherry flavor. Adding nuts to smoothies is one of my favorite smoothie hacks!
- Seeds: Chia seeds, ground flax seeds, or hemp seeds would bring a great addition of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. I like adding a tablespoon of one of these ingredients to smoothies because they boost nutrition without changing the flavor.
- Greens: A handful of spinach or kale may change the color and alter the flavor slightly, but this smoothie add-in will help you eat your daily serving of vegetables.
- Creaminess: To make the texture creamier, add a half cup of Greek yogurt. Plain yogurt or vanilla will work well.
- Natural sweeteners: Blend in a pitted Medjool date, banana, or top with cacao nibs to add more pops of sweetness.
How to Make Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
This easy 4-ingredient smoothie is simple to blend up anytime of the day. From start to finish, chocolate cherry protein shake takes about 5 minutes to make. Gather the ingredients and let's get started!
Step 1: To a blender, add frozen cherries, milk, cacao powder, and protein.
Step 2: Blend until smoothie, about 30 seconds.
Pour blended smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Expert Tips
Instead of ice cubes, we use frozen cherries when making this cherry chocolate smoothie recipe. Frozen fruit will keep the smoothie cold without diluting the flavor like ice will.
This smoothie with cacao has a rich, dark chocolate flavor. For more sweetness, add a Medjool date or a banana to the blender.
Recipe FAQs
Cherries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin C, and potassium. They may offer several health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving sleep quality, and supporting heart health.
Yes, a cherry smoothie can be good for you, especially when prepared with nutritious ingredients like the ones in this recipe. However, it's important to be mindful of added sugars and portion size.
Yes, it is generally safe to eat raw cacao nibs. Cacao nibs are small pieces of crushed cacao beans and are considered a superfood. They have a rich, slightly bitter taste. If you have a sensitivity to caffeine or are allergic to chocolate, you should exercise caution when consuming cacao nibs.
Healthy Smoothie Recipes
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Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Save this Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder about 30 grams
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- To a blender, add frozen cherries, cacao powder, protein powder, and milk. Add any additional optional smoothie add-ins at this time.
- Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute unsweetened cocoa powder for cacao powder, but cocoa is chemically processed and will not have the same health benefits of cacao.
- You can use fresh cherries instead of frozen cherries, but make sure the cherries are pitted. Add a handful of ice to the blender, if using fresh cherries.
- For a sweeter flavor, add a Medjool date or half a banana to the blender.
- Popular optional smoothie add-ins include: chia seeds, almond butter, spinach, and Greek yogurt.
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