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 information is for the whole batch. You can cut this recipe in half or share it with a friend for a snack-size portion. Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.Make-Ahead Tip: Place the pitted dates, hemp hearts, flax, cacao powder, and almond butter in a freezer-safe bag. Store the bag in the fridge for up to a week. When you're ready to make the smoothie, dump the bag's contents into the blender, add the almond milk, and blend until smooth. Add ice as directed above, and blend again. Serve right away.Update Note: This recipe was updated in July 2023 with minor adjustments. The original recipe calls for water instead of almond milk, 1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder (instead of 2 level), and an optional handful of spinach, if you prefer to start with that version. Either way it's delicious!