Try this Red Velvet Smoothie! It’s thick, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet. Plus, it’s dairy-free and naturally vegetarian!
Try some of our other favorite smoothies next like this Golden Milk Smoothie, Immune-Boosting Smoothie, or Peanut Butter Protein Shake.
Red Velvet Smoothie
When you’re craving an indulgent, rich, and flavorful dessert, but don’t want to bake (or wait a few hours), this cake smoothie is the thing to make! It also just so happens to be packed with nutritious ingredients to fuel your day or afternoon. This is not a smoothie that will leave you hungry 10 minutes after drinking! It’s packed with protein and good-for-you fats intended to keep you full for hours.
Red velvet cake is traditionally a red, or red-brown layered cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. The cake tastes like mild cocoa with a slightly tart edge and that is exactly what we aimed to channel flavor-wise in this smoothie. This red smoothie is ultra thick, super creamy, and ridiculously filling!
Also, no food coloring here! We get the red hue from dark sweet cherries and the touch of brown color from the cocoa powder. More on the ingredients in this smoothie below:
Red Velvet Smoothie Ingredients
- Cashews: Dry roasted cashews add flavor and help thicken the smoothie. They make it filling with their protein and healthy fats.
- Milk: Use any milk, but plant-based milk works best for this recipe.
- Frozen dark sweet cherries: These cherries are firm, juicy, and very sweet. They give the smoothie a vibrant flavor.
- Frozen banana: A ripe frozen banana sweetens and thickens the smoothie. Use fully ripe bananas for the best taste!
Quick Tip
Use leftover frozen sweet cherries in this four-ingredient Cherry Smoothie!
Ingredients, Cont.
- Flavor enhancers: Vanilla and a pinch of salt add richness. Salt helps balance the flavors. A little goes a long way!
- Cocoa powder: Essential for that red velvet taste! Both regular and Dutch-process cocoa work well.
- Honey: Honey sweetens the smoothie and balances the cocoa’s bitterness. It’s a must-have!
- Ice: Ice makes the smoothie super cold and thick.
How To Make A Red Velvet Smoothie
- Freeze the banana: A frozen banana makes the smoothie super thick and creamy. Peel and slice bananas into coins, then freeze them in bags or containers overnight. Tip: Freeze several batches for convenience.
- Use a powerful blender: For this recipe, a high-powered blender like a Blendtec® or Vitamix® is ideal to break down cashews without soaking. (Don’t have a powerful blender? Check out this Cashew Ice Cream recipe for how to soak cashews quickly.)
- Measure ingredients: To get the right proportions, measure your ingredients, especially the first few times. Guessing can lead to too much smoothie or an off taste.
- Add extra milk if needed: If the smoothie isn’t blending well, add a bit more milk. Stop the blender and add 1/4 cup of milk if necessary, then continue blending.
- Blend and check: After blending, stir the smoothie to ensure it’s smooth. If there are chunks or unblended ingredients, blend again briefly but don’t overdo it to keep the smoothie thick.
Storage
This healthy Red Velvet Smoothie is best enjoyed right after blending. It doesn’t sit, store, or re-freeze well. If you won’t consume the whole smoothie in one sitting, I recommend halving the recipe!
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes
- Healthy Breakfast Cookies made with peanut butter
- Golden Milk a nutrient-dense beverage (hot or cold)
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins made with Greek yogurt
- Green Smoothie Recipe with spinach
- Overnight Oats with four different ideas
Red Velvet Smoothie
Equipment
- High powered blender (Blendtec or Vitamix -- Note 1)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cashews (Note 2)
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 cup pitted frozen dark sweet cherries
- 1 cup frozen sliced banana
- 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 8 large ice cubes (~1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon honey (Note 3)
- Tiny pinch salt
Instructions
- PREP: Cut a ripe banana into coins, place in a zipper-top bag, and freeze the night before making this smoothie. OR purchase already frozen bananas. The key to a super-thick and creamy smoothie is a frozen banana!
- FIRST BLEND: Combine cashews and milk in a high-powered blender. Blend until completely smooth, about 60-90 seconds.
- SECOND BLEND: Add remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth, about 60 seconds. If needed, stop the blender and stir around with a spoon and begin blending again OR add a touch more milk (sometimes it need another 1/4 cup or so!). Taste and add additional honey if desired. Enjoy immediately; this smoothie doesn't sit/store well.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
