Dessert Smoothies
BY IVY GROB
If you're like me, the best part of any meal is the dessert. But then again, I never want to spend the time it would take baking cookies or a pie (lazy vegan alert!), even though I want the scrumptious result. Many people think of smoothies as a stand-alone meal, which they very well can be. But they also offer a quick solution to satisfy the sweet taste you crave after a savory meal. With a blender, many different tasty ingredients (the majority of which you probably have lying around your house already), and a little love for yourself (you're saving all this time after all!), you can be on your way to dessert smoothie heaven.
Tips:
- If you make too much, save the rest of the smoothie in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.
- I love vanilla-flavored almond milk, but any other nondairy milk substitute can be used in any of the recipes. If you like creamier smoothies, use vegan yogurt.
- Reduce the amount of ice if the fruit is already frozen.
Strawberry Shortcake
(Makes approximately 2 cups)
- ¾ cup strawberries
- ¼cup raspberries
- ½ cup ice
- ½ cup vanilla-flavored almond milk or vegan yogurt
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth or desired consistency.
| Total calories per 1 cup serving: 49 | Fat: 1 gram |
| Carbohydrates: 10 grams | Protein: 1 gram |
| Sodium: 38 milligrams | Fiber: 2 grams |
Banana Chocolate
(Makes approximately 2 cups)
- 1 banana
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- Dash of cinnamon
- ½ cup ice
- 1 cup vanilla-flavored almond milk or vegan yogurt
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth or desired consistency.
| Total calories per 1 cup serving: 104 | Fat: 2 grams |
| Carbohydrates: 23 grams | Protein: 2 grams |
| Sodium: 77 milligrams | Fiber: 3 grams |
Berry Cobbler
(Makes approximately 2 cups)
- ¼ cup blueberries
- ¼ cup blackberries
- ¼ cup raspberries
- ¼ banana (optional)
- ½ cup ice (optional or lesser amount if fruit is frozen)
- 1 cup vanilla-flavored almond milk or vegan yogurt
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth or desired consistency.
| Total calories per 1 cup serving: 76 | Fat: 2 grams |
| Carbohydrates: 15 grams | Protein: 1 gram |
| Sodium: 76 milligrams | Fiber: 3 grams |
Peanut Butter Cup
(Makes approximately 2 cups)
- 3 Tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ cup ice
- ¾ cup vanilla-flavored almond milk or vegan yogurt
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth or desired consistency.
Variations: Instead of smooth peanut butter, use crunchy for extra texture, or Earth Balance Coconut & Peanut Spread for an added tropical taste of coconut.
| Total calories per 1 cup serving: 181 | Fat: 13 grams |
| Carbohydrates: 12 grams | Protein: 7 grams |
| Sodium: 167 milligrams | Fiber: 3 grams |
Peach Pie
(Makes approximately 2 cups)
- ¾ cup cubed peaches
- ¼ cup cubed mangos
- ¼ banana
- ½ cup ice
- ¾ cup vanilla-flavored almond milk or vegan yogurt
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth or desired consistency.
| Total calories per 1 cup serving: 86 | Fat: 1 gram |
| Carbohydrates: 19 grams | Protein: 1 gram |
| Sodium: 57 milligrams | Fiber: 2 grams |
Apple Pie
(Makes approximately 2 cups)
- 1 apple, cored
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup vanilla-flavored almond milk or vegan yogurt
- ½ cup ice
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth or desired consistency.
| Total calories per 1 cup serving: 59 | Fat: 1 gram |
| Carbohydrates: 13 grams | Protein: <1 gram |
| Sodium: 38 milligrams | Fiber: 2 grams |
Ivy Grob wrote this article while interning with The Vegetarian Resource Group. She is a student at the University of Florida Gainsville.
