Refreshing Berry Chocolate Smoothie with Crunch

Healthy smoothies do not need to be filled with kale, spinach, and carrots to be nutritious and delicious at the same time. So meet the trio of berry chocolate smoothie with almonds, all of which come with a little crunch to keep things interesting. All of them are thick, and some almost like desserts, and using your free will, you can always scoop and eat them instead of sipping straight from a straw. Try them all!

1. Refreshing Berry Chocolate Smoothie with Crunch

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tbsp Cadbury cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp almond or peanut butter (for thickness + flavor)
• 3/4 cup milk (whole or plant-based)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds or crushed granola, for the crunch
• Ice cubes, optional

Instructions:

1. Toss everything, but the crunchy chia seeds or granola, into a blender.
2. Blend until smooth, no more than 30-45 seconds to avoid a too-smooth smoothie.
3. Pour the liquid into a glass, and sprinkle the top with chia seeds or crushed granola
4. Stir a bit, if you want it mixed in, and serve immediately

Tips + Tricks:

• A frozen banana makes the smoothie thick and cold without watering it down like ice does. Peel and freeze them when they’re spotty; that’s when they’re naturally sweet.
• A shot of espresso adds a subtle, bitter but energizing kick that balances the chocolate and berries. It turns this smoothie into a solid breakfast option too.
• If you’re avoiding dairy, oat milk gives you a better smoothie consistency than almond milk; it’s creamier and doesn’t separate as much when blended with fruit and cocoa.
• Keep the chia seeds or granola out of the blender. Stir them in after or sprinkle on top so you get the crunch. Blending them turns them into mush with zero crunch.

2. Chocolate Berry Banana Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tbsp Cadbury cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup, optional

Instructions:

1. Put all ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.
3. Taste and add sweetener if needed.

Tips + Tricks:

• Greek yogurt thickens the smoothie and adds a bit of tanginess, which balances out the sweetness of the smoothie. If you prefer something lighter or dairy-free, plain yogurt or plant-based yogurt works too, but the smoothie might be thinner.
• Frozen berries vary in sweetness depending on the brand or season. Taste your smoothie before adding any honey or syrup.
• The kind of milk you use makes a difference. Oat milk is creamy and mild, which works well here. Almond milk is lighter and can be quite fragrant, while regular cow’s milk gives the thickest, richest smoothies.
• Blend until the mixture is smooth, but avoid running the blender for too long, about 30 seconds. Over-blending can heat the smoothie slightly and change the taste.

3. Peanut Butter Chocolate Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries)
• 1 tbsp Cadbury cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (or quick oats)
• 1 banana
• 3/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• Pinch of cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Blend oats by themselves for 10 seconds to get a smooth base.
2. Add all other ingredients and blend until creamy.
3. Pour and enjoy!

Tips + Tricks:

• Make sure to blend the oats alone to help prevent little bits of oats that don’t fully blend in, which can be unpleasant in the mouth. Pick quick oats or rolled oats.
• Peanut butter pairs well with both chocolate and berries. Aside from the rich flavor and protein, it helps keep you feeling full for longer. Use a creamy peanut butter.
• The banana adds sweetness to balance out the tartness of the berries and the bitterness of the cocoa powder into a smooth, sweet base. Frozen banana is best if you want a thick smoothie, sans ice.
• After blending, let the smoothie sit for 5-10 minutes for it to thicken, or serve right away. If it gets too thick, just stir in a bit more milk to loosen it.
• Cinnamon is a simple way to add a subtle flavor that brings out the chocolate’s richness and makes it even richer.