This smoothie is what I’m referring to, one which I would happily repeatedly consume over the course of the day! Some smoothies are refreshing, others revitalizing, some soothing and then there are those which are just positively dreamy! Chocolate and Cherries, it’s a combination I have professed to love on more than one occasion…the most recent of which were my epic chocolate cherry overnight oats.
Of course with cherries still firmly in my possession and a supply of frozen cherries within 5 minutes walking distance of my house a chocolate cherry smoothie was inevitable. My new favourite phrase is “heavenly” or in this case “heaven in a bowl” and never was the phrase more applicable and firmly justified.
Cherries and cocoa powder, so rich, so indulgent…I never like to compare foods to dessert that although indulgent don’t quite live up to people’s expectations but if ever there was a dessert like smoothie bowl this is it.
The key is to either use raw cacao or good dark unprocessed cocoa powder. The flavour of the cherries and chocolate were both equally intense and perfectly balanced. I loved the fact that the smoothie retained some of it’s cherrilicious colour, the last thing I wanted to do was over power the cherries entirely by chocolate, the idea was for one to compliment the other.
Topped off with dried cherries, flaked almonds and coconut along with a couple more fresh cherries for good measure. And for that extra bit of indulgence some dark chocolate chips! It was thick, creamy and very moreish. A wipe the bowl clean with your finger moment may have occurred when no one was watching!
I mentioned the other day that I was dreading cherries disappearing from the shop shelves…but I experienced something worse the other day.
Cherries that were gone off…popping one in to my mouth, expecting a pop of deliciousness; not a good experience! In other news, Irish cherries have arrived! I saw the tweet from the guys in the Happy Pear on Tuesday and got straight to making an order for them over lunch. They are absolutely incredible!!!
There is a such a difference between an organic cherry and plain old pesticide laden one..the flavour is just so intense, the stone just falls out of them, the juice drips and they are completely irresistible. Another fruit it’s definitely worth being organic. It’s not like they even cost anymore at the moment, total score!
Ever eaten a gone off fruit by mistake? Did it turn your off eating it for a while? Luckily enough nothing could taint my love or curb my appetite for cherries!
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Servings – 1
Preparation Time – 5 minutes
Ingredients
Smoothie
- 300ml (1 + ¼ cup) almond milk
- 1 tbsp Dutch unprocessed cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 1/3 cup fresh cherries
- ½ small frozen banana
- 1 tbsp ground almonds
- ½ tsp xanthan gum
Toppings
- ½ tbsp flaked almonds
- ½ tbsp dried cherries
- 1 tsp desiccated coconut
- 2-3 fresh whole cherries
- 5-6 dark chocolate chips
Directions
- Blend together all smoothie ingredients.
- Serve spread with array of delicious toppings in your bowl of choice!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel like I’m commenting on every new post you make lately, but seriously you have outdone yourself on this one! Without a doubt I am making this tomorrow. Keep those creative cherry juices flowing honey!
I love comments, I don’t get enough of them so really nice that you are!!!
Looks absolutely delicious! I love flaked almonds and desiccated coconut. Mhmm…
The only snag here is that I really, really don’t like milk. I’m not lactose intolerant or anything, but I’d seriously get sick if I were to drink it. Even the look of it unsettles me. And, I’d actually freak out if it were to get onto my skin. Like, if I had to open a milk carton and while taking off the plastic thingy-ma-jig a few drops splashed out onto my hand I’d be like… noooooo! Yeah, it’s pretty weird, I know.
Anyway, is there any alternative to using almond milk? I know almond is different from regular milk, but I’d still like to avoid it if that’s possible. Any suggestions? Or, would you just try and convince me to give it a try? ha
Regarding eating gone off fruit: I don’t recall eating any, but when I was in primary school, my friend’s father gave me an apple that he had picked from the tree in his garden. My first bite revealed a load of insects crawling on the inside, some may of which had been decapitated by my teeth. Eeeeewwww. I know!
Apologies for making food items sound like my worst enemy! xD
Definitely give it a try
I used to hate milk but honestly almond is so different, not too creamy and naturally sweet and sure you won’t even taste it in the smoothie! Oh that apple sounds horrible!
Ah cow’s milk is my worst enemy, I can understand why you don’t like it!