Once you tried it you'll want to make it over and over again! This dessert smoothie tastes like the ultimate black forest cake in a glass. It has a bold sour cherry taste with a subtle chocolate flavor and hints of almond.
There's nothing like a rich and decadent cherry chocolate smoothie to brighten up the mood. This smoothie will definitely satisfy your dessert cravings but in a much healthier way than a slice of cake.
You can top the smoothie with yogurt and dark chocolate shavings to really give it a "black forest cake" look. It's also really nice to taste the yogurt when sipping on it.
If you're on the lookout for more dessert smoothie recipes, have a look at this iced coffee smoothie or this chai banana smoothie.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this smoothie
- Dessert is ready in less than 5 minutes. No need to make a cake batter or let cookie dough chill.
- Both kids and adults will devour this black forest smoothie and ask for more.
- It also makes a super healthy snack.
- It's made without bananas, which is a huge plus since many dessert smoothie recipes use frozen bananas as a base.
Key ingredients and substitutions
- Milk of choice. I use unsweetened soy milk for its neutral flavor but almond milk would taste great too. Feel free to use regular milk if you're not on a vegan or dairy-free diet.
- Frozen cherries are the base of this smoothie. They provide flavor, a thicker consistency and cool the drink without ice cubes.
- Frozen raspberries are a great way to cut the costs of this smoothie as they are usually cheaper than frozen cherries. You could however totally replace them with more frozen cherries or a frozen cherry berry mix.
- Sour cherries in water are the secret ingredient of this dessert smoothie. Don't replace them with cherries preserved in syrup as that would make the smoothie way too sweet. If you have to replace them, add a few more frozen cherries.
- Plain yogurt makes this smoothie extra creamy. I like using unsweetened plain soy yogurt for its neutral taste.
- Cocoa powder adds a chocolatey touch. I use unsweetened raw cocoa as the smoothie is already pretty sweet from the cherries, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
- Almond extract makes the magic happen and really reminds me of the Kirsch in black forest cakes. You can totally leave it out and the smoothie will still taste incredible.
Elo's tips
- Use frozen fruits. You'll obtain a much thicker and creamier smoothie than with fresh fruit. Plus you won't have to pit every single cherry. Follow these step-by-step instructions if you want to freeze your own cherries.
- Add the milk to the blender first as it makes the blending process easier and more homogenous.
- Gradually increase the speed. This helps your blender crush through the frozen fruits and makes sure everything gets blended properly.
- Wash your blender right after making your smoothie. Add soapy water to the container and blend on high (or using the cleaning cycle).
Step-by-step instructions
STEP 1: Add the ingredients to your blender jar. Start with the milk, then add the cherries, raspberries, yogurt, cocoa powder, and almond extract (if using).
STEP 2: Blend until perfectly smooth. Use the smoothie program of your blender if it has one. Pour the finished drink into your favorite glass and top it with the plain yogurt of your choice to make it look like whipped cream. Finally, garnish it with chocolate shavings and cherries to make it look like a black forest cake.
Watch how to make it
Favorite smoothie blender
The Kitchenaid K400 is my absolute go-to when it comes to smoothies! It provides the smoothest results, the blades stay super sharp over time (even though I use it to make frozen fruit smoothies every single day) and it's super easy to clean. You can read my honest opinion in my Kitchenaid K400 review.
Frequently asked questions
The obvious answer is YES! Smoothies not only make a delicious and healthy dessert they are also super practical. You can keep all the ingredients in your pantry and freezer and make this dessert in less than 5 minutes whenever you want.
Milkshakes are usually made with milk and ice cream, while smoothies use fruits as a base. However, there are no rules when it comes to cooking, hence why some milkshakes may contain fruits and some smoothies may taste like desserts.
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The recipe
Black Forest Dessert Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (180 ml) milk of choice I use unsweetened soy milk
- ½ cup (80 g) frozen cherries
- ½ cup (65 g) frozen raspberries or more frozen cherries
- 3 tablespoons jarred sour cherries in water not the ones preserved in syrup, optional
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons yogurt of choice I use unsweetened plain soy yogurt
- 2-3 drops almond extract optional
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate shavings optional
Instructions
- Add the milk, frozen cherries, frozen raspberries, jarred cherries (if using), cocoa powder, and yogurt to a high-speed blender. Only add almond extract if you like it and be careful not to add too much as it can quickly become overpowering.
- Blend until perfectly smooth. Add more milk if needed.
- Pour the smoothie into your favorite glass and top it with yogurt, cherries, and chocolate shavings.
Video
Nutrition
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