Creamy Cherry Chocolate Smoothie Recipe

This Cherry Chocolate Smoothie is silky, creamy, and indulgent without added sugars. It delivers rich dark chocolate notes balanced by bright cherry flavor, making it a nourishing, satisfying breakfast or post-workout treat made from simple, whole ingredients.

When cherries are in season they’re juicy, deep red, and wonderfully sweet. They bring a fresh, fruity brightness to this smoothie. This recipe is one I’ve kept for years because it combines a luscious chocolate flavor with wholesome ingredients for a satisfying, nutrient-dense drink.

Why should you try it?

• Decadent, thick, and creamy: rich cacao and sweet cherries create a dessert-like smoothie that still feels wholesome.
• Excellent breakfast or snack: it’s filling thanks to fiber and healthy fats while still easy to prepare in minutes.
• Nutrient-rich: cherries, cacao, flax and banana contribute vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
• Simple, clean ingredients with no added refined sugar unless you choose to sweeten it further.
• Adaptable for different diets: plant-based or dairy milk options, and easy to make keto or protein-rich with a few swaps.
• Great for active lifestyles: cherries and cacao make a tasty recovery option after exercise.

Ingredients used

All you need are a handful of pantry staples and frozen cherries for the best texture. Here’s what goes into a single serving:

• Milk of choice: oat milk, almond, soy, or cow’s milk all work. Coconut milk is less compatible with the chocolate–cherry flavor in this recipe.
• Cherries: frozen cherries give the creamiest, cold texture, but fresh cherries will work too.
• Banana: ripe for natural sweetness and creaminess; frozen banana makes the smoothie extra thick.
• Ground flax seeds: add omega-3s and fiber to make the drink more filling.
• Cacao powder: use raw cacao or natural unsweetened cocoa for deep chocolate flavor.
• Cinnamon: a pinch brightens the flavor and complements the cacao.
• Optional sweetener: dates, honey, maple syrup, or stevia if you prefer it sweeter.

How to make Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

Ready in about 5 minutes with a blender. The basic process is simple and forgiving—adjust liquid for your preferred thickness.

• Measure your ingredients and place them in the blender. For smoother blending, add liquids first.
• Blend on high speed until silky and uniform in texture.
• If too thick, add a splash more milk or water and blend again.
• Taste and add a sweetener if desired.
• Pour into a glass and top with chopped dark chocolate, extra ground flax, or seeds and nuts as you like.
• Makes one large serving as a full meal or two smaller snack portions.

Substitutions

• Swap milk for any plant-based or dairy milk except coconut for best flavor balance.
• Replace ground flax with chia or hemp seeds if preferred.

Smoothie variations

• Banana-free: use ½ avocado for creaminess; you may want extra sweetener for taste.
• Keto option: use ½ avocado instead of banana and add a teaspoon of MCT or coconut oil if desired.
• Lower-calorie: use only ½ banana.
• Protein boost: stir in a scoop of unflavored or vanilla protein powder for a post-workout shake.
• Add a handful of spinach or kale for a green boost—flavor remains chocolatey and pleasant.

Tips for storing

• Keep leftovers in a sealed glass jar or shaker in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• Shake or stir before drinking—smoothies can separate or thicken when stored.
• For best flavor and nutrient retention, enjoy freshly made whenever possible.

Recipe tips

• Use ground flax seed for better digestion and nutrient absorption; store it in the fridge.
• Put liquids in the blender first to prevent lumps and make blending easier.
• A high-speed blender produces the smoothest texture, but a standard blender works fine if you blend longer.
• Frozen cherries create a thicker, ice-cream-like result. If you only have fresh cherries, freeze them for an hour.
• If using frozen banana, expect a very thick blend—add extra milk as needed.
• Sweetener suggestions: soaked dates, maple syrup, honey, or stevia. If using dates, soak in warm water for 10 minutes and drain before blending.

This creamy, chocolatey cherry smoothie often feels like a little indulgence that’s still wholesome and nutritious. It’s an elegant, family-friendly breakfast or snack that’s simple to make and easy to customize. Enjoy!

Recipe

This recipe was originally published in 2017 and has been updated with new photos and notes. The core recipe remains the same.

More recipes to try