Black Forest Cherry Cacao Almond Cream Smoothie Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the smoothest texture, use a high-speed blender and blend in short bursts, scraping down the sides as needed. If you prefer a thinner smoothie, add a little more almond milk; for a thicker, spoonable consistency, use less liquid and more ice.

Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding a drizzle of honey or a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.

To make chocolate shavings easily, place the chocolate in the freezer for 10 minutes before grating. Use a box grater's finest side for delicate curls.

If you don't have a box grater, a vegetable peeler works well for larger curls. For a fancy touch, rim the glass with cocoa powder or finely chopped almonds before pouring.

Variations

• Vegan Black Forest Smoothie: Use a plant-based vanilla yogurt and ensure the chocolate is dairy-free. Replace the whipped cream with coconut whipped cream. The rest of the ingredients remain the same, yielding a fully plant-based treat.
• Cherry Almond Protein Smoothie: Add a scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder to the blender for a more filling smoothie. Increase the almond milk by a few tablespoons to maintain a pourable consistency.
• Spiced Black Forest Smoothie: Add a pinch of cinnamon and a dash of vanilla extract to the blender. The warm spices complement the cherry and chocolate flavors beautifully, giving a holiday twist.
• Frozen Cherry Smoothie Bowl: Reduce the almond milk to 3/4 cup and use frozen cherries. Blend until very thick, then pour into a bowl. Top with granola, fresh cherries, and extra chocolate shavings for a spoonable breakfast.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftover smoothie in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Stir before serving; texture may thin slightly.

The smoothie is best enjoyed immediately, as it will separate upon standing. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir well before drinking. The texture may thin slightly, but the flavor will remain.

You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time: pit and slice the cherries, chop the almonds, and grate the chocolate. Store them in separate containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply combine and blend. This saves time and makes assembly quick.

Serving ideas

Serve this smoothie as a dessert drink in tall glasses with a long spoon. The whipped cream and chocolate shavings are essential for the full Black Forest experience.

For an extra touch, add a fresh cherry on top of the whipped cream. This smoothie is also lovely served in small glasses as an after-dinner treat.

Pair the smoothie with a slice of chocolate cake or a few almond biscotti for a more substantial dessert.

It also works well as a special breakfast or brunch beverage, especially when you want something indulgent. The combination of fruit, nuts, and chocolate makes it a satisfying treat any time of day.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Black Forest Cherry Cacao Almond Cream Smoothie

Prep 10 minCook 0 minTotal 10 minServes 2

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dark pitted cherries, plus extra for garnish
• 1/4 cup roasted almonds, chopped
• 2 oz 72% dark Belgian chocolate, grated
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tbsp dark cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Whipped cream, for topping, to taste
• Dark chocolate shavings, for topping, to taste

Instructions

1. Slice the dark pitted cherries in half or into quarters, depending on size. Chop the roasted almonds into small, even pieces. Grate the solid block of dark chocolate on a box grater to create fine shavings and curls. Set aside a few cherry pieces, almond bits, and chocolate curls for garnish.
2. Measure out the almond milk, dark cocoa powder, vanilla yogurt, and ice cubes. Have all the ingredients ready before blending to ensure a smooth, quick process.
3. Add the dark pitted cherries, almond milk, dark cocoa powder, vanilla yogurt, and ice cubes into a glass blender pitcher. Lock the lid securely in place.
4. Blend on high speed for 30 to 60 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed, until the mixture is completely smooth and has a thick, swirling vortex. The smoothie should be velvety and uniform in color.
5. Pour the thick, velvety maroon smoothie from the blender pitcher into a crystal glass or two glasses, dividing equally.
6. Top each glass with a high peak of whipped cream. Sprinkle with the reserved chopped almonds, cherry pieces, and dark chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.

Contains: milk, tree nuts

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

310

Protein

7 g

Carbohydrates

34 g

Fat

17 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.