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When I’m in the mood for a chocolate milkshake, but I don’t want to have a stomach ache later, this is the smoothie recipe I reach for. I make it at least 3 times every week, and over the years, I’ve figured out ways to add more protein and fiber to it.
What I think you’ll love about this chocolate smoothie is that it’s not made with banana. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes banana is perfect in a smoothie. My favorite peanut butter banana smoothie also has a milkshake-like texture when you’re in the mood for that.
But, this is the smoothie I make when I want it to taste like a real chocolate milkshake, and not like a “healthy” chocolate milkshake, if that makes sense. I hope you’ll love it just as much!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“This smoothie is perfectly creamy and tastes like the most indulgent chocolate shake (even with only 3 dates because that’s how we like it). One of Megan’s smoothies is always on rotation in our house for breakfast, and right now it’s this one!” – Sarah
Date Smoothie Ingredients
- Medjool Dates. Obviously, you’ll need dates to make a date smoothie. Shop for ones in the fresh produce section of your grocery store, rather than the bulk bins. In my experience, you’ll get the squishiest, juiciest dates in the produce section. That way you won’t have to soak them before getting started.
- Cacao or Cocoa Powder. I always keep raw cacao powder in my pantry, so that’s what I use in this, but regular cocoa powder should also work.
- Almond Butter. This adds creaminess, plus a little fiber. You can use a different nut butter if you prefer, but this one is the least noticeable when you’re going for a chocolate flavor.
- Ground Flax. This is added to thicken the smoothie and add more fiber.
- Hemp Hearts (or Collagen Peptides). I like to add something extra for protein, and if you’re aiming for a plant-based drink, hemp hearts are a complete source. Otherwise, I like to use a scoop of unflavored collagen peptides.
- Milk of Choice. You can use milk or water to blend this, since there are other ingredients that will make this creamy, too. However, for extra protein, I usually opt for a milk with protein, like soy milk or regular cow’s milk.
Note: If you have dry dates that are difficult to split apart with your fingers, try soaking them in a bowl of very hot water for 10 minutes to help soften them up. After you drain away the soaking water, they are ready to use in this recipe.
How to Make a Date Smoothie
Step 1:
Add 1 cup of almond milk, 4 pitted Medjool dates, 2 level tablespoons of cacao powder, 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds, 1 tablespoon of hemp hearts (or a scoop of collagen), and 1 tablespoon almond butter to a high-speed blender.
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Secure the lid a blend until the dates are totally pulverized.
The mixture should look like a thick, smooth chocolate pudding when it’s done blending. Taste the mixture to make sure it’s as sweet as you’d like it to be, but keep in mind the flavor will be diluted with the next step. (It gets better with ice!)
Step 2:
For a slushy texture (that reminds me of a frosty from Wendy’s) add 1 heaping cup of ice cubes and blend again. Depending on the consistency you are going for, you might need to add a little more ice and blend again.
The more ice you add, the more diluted the chocolate flavor will be. We like ours pretty thick in here the Gilmore home. Serve this chocolate date smoothie right away for the best flavor and texture.
Chocolate Smoothie with Medjool Dates
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 4 Medjool dates , pitted
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds (or chia seeds)
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts (or 2 T unflavored collagen peptides)
- 2 level tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup ice cubes , plus more as needed
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the almond milk, 4 dates (use 5 if they are on the small side), ground flax, hemp hearts, cacao powder, and almond butter. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the blender if needed.
- Taste the smoothie and make any adjustments you need. The flavor will be diluted once you add the ice, but this is your chance to add more sweetness or cacao powder if needed.
- Add the ice cubes, and blend again, until the shake has a slushy texture. The more ice you add, the more diluted the chocolate flavor will be.
- Serve right away for the best taste and texture.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
If you try this chocolate date smoothie recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
This is my favorite go-to smoothie! My only change is to add protein powder. It is delicious and I feel great after I drink it.
This is a favorite of mine but I still use water with almond protein powder and then frozen zucchini instead of ice cubes. Makes it creamier.
Sounds great. Can’t wait to make it! The calorie count seems high, though, for the ingredients listed. Are you sure it’s correct?
Wow! I have been craving dates and rather than making date and walnut balls, I wanted so make something to sip. I’m so glad I found this simple delicious recipe. Thanks for posting!
Delicious and very decadent — but healthy, too. A great combination.
I made this smoothie for my pregnancy! I added collagen powder to mine for extra protein 🙂 It is delicious! I hate dates on their own but this was a great way to sneak them into my diet.
Delicious! The dates are a wonderful sweetener and great replacement for banana.