Cherry Smoothie
This cherry smoothie looks fancy but comes together in minutes with just a blender and a handful of ingredients. It's thick, creamy, and tastes like cherry pie in a glass.
Equipment
- High-speed blender - Vitamix or similar; works best with frozen ingredients
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife - for slicing the banana before freezing
- Tall smoothie glasses or mason jars - for serving
- Reusable smoothie straws - wide-mouth recommended
- Spatula - for scraping down the sides of the blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen sweet cherries - 300g, dark sweet cherries work best for rich flavor
- 1 medium frozen banana - about 100g or 1/2 cup sliced, peeled and sliced before freezing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt - 120g, full-fat for best creaminess; vanilla works too
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk - 180ml, or any milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup - optional, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - optional, but rounds out the flavor beautifully
- pinch of salt - just a small pinch, this enhances the cherry flavor
Instructions
- Freeze your banana in advance by peeling, slicing into 1/2 inch coins, and freezing for at least 2 hours.
- Pour the almond milk into the blender first to protect the blades and help frozen ingredients blend more easily.
- Spoon the Greek yogurt into the blender on top of the milk.
- Add the frozen cherries and frozen banana slices to the blender.
- Add vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and honey or maple syrup if desired for extra sweetness.
- Blend starting on low speed for 10-15 seconds, then increase to high and blend for 45-60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust thickness with more milk or sweetness with additional honey, then blend briefly if needed.
- Pour into glasses and serve immediately, garnished with fresh cherries, granola, or a drizzle of honey if desired.
Notes
- Freeze your banana ahead of time for the thickest, creamiest texture. A fresh banana works but yields a thinner smoothie.
- Always use frozen cherries rather than fresh for a frosty, thick consistency without watering down the flavor.
- Add liquid to the blender before solids to protect your blender blades and get everything moving faster.
- Start blending on low speed and gradually increase to high to avoid stalling the motor with frozen ingredients.
- Taste before adding sweetener – sweet cherries and banana are often sweet enough on their own.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt or a plant-based Greek-style yogurt alternative.
- To make a smoothie bowl, use less liquid and top with granola, fresh fruit, and coconut flakes.
- Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours; stir or shake well before drinking.
- Create smoothie prep packs by portioning frozen cherries and banana slices into freezer bags for instant blending.
- For a chocolate cherry version, add 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder before blending.