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If you are lucky enough to find a bag of frozen cherries at the grocery store, stock up and make this creamy chocolate smoothie. The cherries add flavor, plus a potent boost of antioxidants! (If you find a frozen cherry berry blend, that will work, too.)

I started making this smoothie years ago while experimenting with a raw food diet. I couldn’t get enough of it!

Recently, I revisited this smoothie because I’m trying to get more protein into my life. Now I like to add a scoop of collagen, which adds creaminess and protein, but not much flavor, as well as a touch of frozen raspberries. These two additions make it taste better and will leave you feeling full longer.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“I’ve been making this for weeks now and love it so much. Definitely my favorite smoothie recipe!” -Anna

chocolate cherry smoothie overhead near a bowl of cherries.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Frozen Cherries. Starting with a bag of frozen cherries is not only more affordable than buying them fresh, but it will also save you the time and effort of pitting each cherry.
  • Frozen Raspberries. Cherries don’t always have a bold flavor when frozen, so these tart berries help boost the overall flavor. You’ll still mostly taste cherries, but this addition makes a big difference.
  • Frozen Banana. Adds sweetness and creaminess, along with an ice-cream-like texture.
  • Cacao Powder. I keep raw cacao powder in my pantry for an antioxidant boost, but you can use regular Dutch-processed cocoa powder if you prefer.
  • Milk. I use soy milk to keep this recipe dairy-free and higher in protein, but you can use any other milk you prefer, such as almond milk or cow’s milk.
  • Almond Butter. This adds creaminess, as well as fiber and healthy fats. I always buy raw almond butter, so it has a mild, neutral flavor. Cashew butter would be similar!
  • Optional Add-Ins. I like to add either a splash of vanilla or almond extract for a flavor boost, plus a scoop of collagen for added protein. For a vegan smoothie, try using hemp hearts and a handful of fresh spinach for more nutrients. (The spinach may change the color slightly, but you can’t taste it.
frozen cherries, banana, raspberries, cacao powder, and milk labeled on a white surface.

Cherry Chocolate Smoothie How-To

Step 1:

Add the frozen cherries, raspberries, banana, cacao powder, almond butter, and milk to a high-speed blender. This is also the time to add any extras you like, such as a scoop of collagen peptides or a splash of vanilla or almond extract.

Secure the lid and blend until the mixture looks smooth.

frozen cherries, almond butter, banana, milk, and cacao powder in a blender.

Step 2:

Once the smoothie is blended, taste it to be sure you’re satisfied with the flavor. Since fruit can vary in sweetness, you may want to add a teaspoon of maple syrup and blend again for a sweeter-tasting drink.

When you’re happy with the taste, pour it into a glass (or two) immediately and enjoy!

cherry smoothie in a glass with a straw.

Cherry Chocolate Protein Smoothie FAQs

Can I use chocolate protein powder instead?

Yes, you can experiment with using chocolate protein powder (or chocolate collagen peptides) as a substitute for the cacao powder in this recipe. Most of these options are sweetened, so the smoothie might turn out sweeter than intended with this swap.

Is the almond butter necessary?

No, if you need a nut-free smoothie, you can omit the nut butter completely. I originally shared this recipe in 2013 with 1/4 avocado for creaminess instead of the nut butter. However, I rarely have that small amount of avocado available, so I find the almond butter more convenient these days.

Cherry chocolate smoothie served with a straw.

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Recipe

4.77 from 13 votes
Cherries and chocolate are a delicious pairing, so this smoothie gives you the best of both worlds! Frozen cherries make it easy to prepare, so you won’t have to remove cherry pits before getting started.
prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins
Servings:1

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions

  • Add the frozen cherries, banana, raspberries, cacao powder, vanilla extract, collagen (if using), and milk to a high-speed blender. Secure the lid and blend until the mixture is smooth.
  • Once everything is blended smoothly, taste the mixture and make any adjustments needed. You can add a teaspoon of maple syrup for a sweeter taste, or a little extra cacao powder for more chocolate flavor. Then serve the smoothie right away for the best texture.

Notes

Nutrition information is for the whole batch. This is automatically calculated using generic ingredients from a database, so it’s just an estimate and not a guarantee. 
Flavor Variation: For a cherry almond flavor, substitute the vanilla extract with 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract. 
Vegan Note: For a plant-based smoothie, use your favorite dairy-free milk and add hemp hearts instead of collagen for protein. 

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 975mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 1063IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 365mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cherry chocolate smoothie

More Smoothie Recipes to Try

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it.

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Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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Comments

  1. I’ve been making this for weeks now and love it so much. Definitely my favorite smoothie recipe! Thank-you Megan! 🙂