While working my way through the green smoothie challenge I played around quite a bit with some recipes. But one of the recipes I just couldn’t get myself to drink on a consistent basis was anything that had to do with peanut butter. I know you are asking, “whats wrong with peanut butter?” Well, nothing really if you can find an all natural kind that is not all loaded down with sugar. As someone who watches carbs, even the good ones, too much of even a good thing can send my body into craving overload.
I didn’t want to do that because part of the smoothie challenge (at least for me) was to shed some weight in the process. I also wanted a green smoothie that wasn’t quite so green.
I noticed others were using chocolate almond milk, fat-free chocolate milk or other chocolate milk. I wanted to stay with a water base so I knew I was going to have to get creative and I was bound and determined not to resort to chocolate pudding mix.
What followed were a few hits and misses. But this particular recipe turned out so amazing it is this months Recipe ReDux for the theme ‘Hot Beverages.’
‘Hot’ doesn’t necessarily mean warm drink but instead, popular.
Green smoothies are extremely popular right now, but we don’t all want it to look green or taste green.
Personally for me this was a nice dessert. I’m also thinking about freezing some and then blending it for an ice cream treat.
I did end up doing a water and unsweetened almond milk combination and even though it made for a thinner shake it just did not give me the creamy taste I was seeking. I liked it much better with 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk and replacing all natural peanut butter with a powdered peanut butter like PB2 reduced the calories while still giving it taste and protein. Perhaps for the 1 cup unsweetened almond milk with 1 cup water one should add 2 TBSP PB2. Also, I used Hershey Special Dark Cocoa which gives it a more dark chocolate flavor.
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 TBSP cocoa powder
- 1 TBSP PB2
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup raw spinach
- 1-2 TBSP sugar-free caramel flavored syrup
- sprinkle of carob chips (optional)
- Add the spinach and almond milk to the blender.
- Mix until spinach is all chopped and liquid is smooth.
- Add the remaining ingredients.
- Blend until smooth.
- If your smoothie is too thick add 1 cup of water.
- If you would like your shake to be a yummy milkshake and a handful of ice cubes.
The best part about smoothies is that they are so versatile. I can’t tell you how many times I was at the bottom of the food bin only to find that my normal ingredients were gone and I was in desperate need of some shopping. I threw some things together and ended up with an amazing shake. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your ingredients and your blender!
If you’ve got some time to spare I highly encourage YUM fans to go check out some of the other “hot beverages” from this months Recipe ReDux.
Deanna says
February 21, 2014 at 12:15 pmMmmmm, that looks tasty!
chrystal says
February 21, 2014 at 12:45 pmThank you so much! It’s one of my favorite smoothies.
Mary (A Merry Life) says
February 21, 2014 at 4:12 pmLooks amazing!!
chrystal says
February 22, 2014 at 12:58 pmThank you!
Sarah Grace says
February 22, 2014 at 3:49 amMmm looks good! I’m not sure if I’d use sugar free caramel with all the fake sugar, but I love your choice of flavors! I make smoothies all of the time, and chocolate is surely one of my favorites. Looks good!
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
chrystal says
February 22, 2014 at 1:02 pmYou could always use imitation flavor extracts. I’ve used those too. I’d rather have Stevia than sugar, so thats why I use sugar free.
Jennifer Johnson says
February 22, 2014 at 3:22 pmI need to try this week!
chrystal says
February 22, 2014 at 3:55 pmI hope you like it!
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says
February 23, 2014 at 3:07 pmThanks so much for linking up with the Let’s Get Real hop. We hope you’ll link up again this week.
chrystal says
February 25, 2014 at 2:18 pmThank you for all you do for the link hop!
Tammy @ creativekkids.com says
March 4, 2014 at 2:25 amWhat a great recipe! Anything with cocoa and caramel is sure to be a winner. Thanks for linking up with the Tasty Tuesday’s Link-up. I have pinned your post to the Tasty’s Tuesday’s Pinterest Board!
chrystal says
March 4, 2014 at 1:11 pmI think this one is turning out to be my fave!
Sharon-Slow Recipes says
March 17, 2014 at 5:09 amAmazing & I’ll definitely keep this recipe in my bookmarks cocoa and caramel is the winner I`m sure 100%.
chrystal says
March 17, 2014 at 1:18 pmI hope you enjoy it!
fanaledrinks says
August 1, 2014 at 6:00 amCaramel Cocoa Green Smoothie it’s tasty.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
January 8, 2015 at 3:27 pmI like that it’s “green”, but not actually green. I see all these smoothies that are the color green around, but I could never gag anything that color down.
Debra says
January 8, 2015 at 3:42 pmI love putting leafy greens in my peanut butter smoothies. I should def add some chocolate next time – I bet that would make it extra yummy!
Jaime says
January 8, 2015 at 3:59 pmI WANT this. Seriously, this looks like an amazing smoothie and I must try it.
Christie says
January 8, 2015 at 4:04 pmLove adding spinach to my smoothies! Gotta do anything to get my veggies in!
Mitch says
January 8, 2015 at 4:09 pmWow, that looks like a great meal replacement! I need that right ow, i am on a new food plan for 2015!
Liz Mays says
January 8, 2015 at 4:50 pmI could use some more fiber in my diet. This green smoothie sounds like a great solution.
Pam says
January 8, 2015 at 4:59 pmMy diet got way off course during the holidays, so I’ve been trying to get back into making smoothies for breakfast. I was tired of the ones I normally make, so I’ll be making this one ASAP!
Krystal says
January 8, 2015 at 5:25 pmI can’t wait to try this! I love smoothies, and this one sounds amazing. It’s a little bit like a milkshake. Yum!
chrystal says
January 8, 2015 at 6:05 pmThis is one of my go-to’s. I hide greens in my smoothies all the time.
Michele says
January 8, 2015 at 5:49 pmI am not a fan of smoothies and the thought of spinach with chocolate kind of turns me off. I happen to like spinach and will eat and entire package of it at one sitting-and of course I like chocolate–but I think I’ll pass on this one. When I feel like a smoothie I go to Mrs. Green’s and let them whip one up for me–now one based on carrot juice with other fruits.–YUM
chrystal says
January 8, 2015 at 6:04 pmI love spinach too. Will eat it all. Raw and cooked. The good thing with this recipe is that you can’t even taste the spinach.
Catherine S says
January 8, 2015 at 5:59 pmThis sounds good. I am not a big fan of spinach, but his might be a way for me to add it to my diet.
chrystal says
January 8, 2015 at 6:04 pmCan’t taste it!
Kecia says
January 8, 2015 at 8:53 pmI’m always up for trying new smoothie recipes. Especially when they contain chocolate!!
Shell says
January 8, 2015 at 9:17 pmI’ve been trying different smoothies lately. My husband would like this one!
Ann Bacciaglia says
January 8, 2015 at 9:23 pmI love making smoothies for breakfast. There are so many great recipes to try in your link up.
Nina Say says
January 9, 2015 at 12:44 amOh yum that looks delicious! I’m a huge smoothie junkie, and I think I’d fall in love with this one.
Kay Adeola says
January 9, 2015 at 5:06 amI have to say this does really look good :).
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
January 9, 2015 at 12:29 pmThat smoothie looks so yummy. I need some great recipes since I plan on using smoothies for meal replacement in efforts to lose weight.
chrystal says
January 9, 2015 at 4:29 pmI am a smoothie junkie. Working on my 2nd recipe booklet for them.
Janell Poulette says
January 10, 2015 at 10:00 pmI have been trying to add smoothies to my day. I need it to get a little warmer so I can enjoy them more.
chrystal says
January 14, 2015 at 6:06 pmI hear you. It is so hard this time of year for me to drink them. And that is sad because I love them. I am going to try a hot chocolate version ASAP
Tracey says
January 12, 2015 at 8:22 pmLove this! I am all about green smoothies that taste great! I am making this one tomorrow for breakfast.
Theresa says
January 12, 2015 at 10:21 pmMy husband has been all about green smoothies lately. I bet this is one that would be a quick favorite of his though!