Cherries and chocolate come together in this rich and creamy smoothie that is naturally sweetened with ripe bananas. My Chocolate Cherry Berry Smoothie is ideal for a breakfast, a snack or dessert!
Cherry season is in full swing here in Michigan and I am loving every bite! Ripe, juicy and sweet – every summer I am reminded just how lucky I am to live in the nation’s largest cherry producing state!
While these cherries are perfect for cobblers, pies, crisps and more, I must admit that I love eating them raw. To be honest, adding sugar to these naturally sweet berries at their ripest stage is unnecessary in my opinion. Plus, I need to save every calorie I can for my carb-craving, ice-cream-loving, 6 1/2 month pregnant self.
Speaking of calories, this Chocolate Cherry Berry Smoothie tastes more like dessert than a healthy breakfast but it is packed with protein, vitamins and nutrients. Here are a few of the many health benefits of cherries that you’ll get from this smoothie:
Cherries Help Improve Memory: Cherries contain anthocyanin, a type of antioxidant, shown to reduce the effects of aging and improve memory function according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Cherries Can Lower Blood Sugar Levels: The anthocyanin found in cherries have been shown to increase insulin production which helps stabilize and lower blood sugar levels which is important for people with diabetes or those trying to prevent diabetes.
Cherries Fight Cancer: Cherries contain quite a few cancer-fighting agents including fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, anthocyanins and other antioxidants. Cyanidins, specifically, have been shown to fight free radical cell growth which has been linked to a reduction in cancer.
Above all, aren’t they pretty?
Your straw is waiting.
- 1 ripe banana
- 2/3 cup Greek yogurt - 0%
- 1/2 cup cherries pitted
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 1 inch piece ginger root quartered
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 scoops ice
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Place all ingredients except for the ice in a high speed blender and puree for 30-45 seconds.
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Add ice and puree until smooth, about 45 additional seconds.
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Serve in two glasses and enjoy.
Anna Powell
Yum. saw this on a smoothie recipe list and have to look. What a great combination(chocolate and cherries)
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think!
Gretchen
Mmmm….. this tastes like black forest cake!
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you enjoyed!
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
Liz,
I just like saying “chocolate cherry berry” over and over–it sounds so fun.
You smoothie looks delicious–too bad the only Michigan cherries I’ve got are a tub of dried ones, which are also delicious and I could probably rehydrate for a smoothie if I didn’t have peaches and plums begging me to eat them NOW. Those stone fruits are so demanding, you know?
Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
Well I will admit – this works perfectly with any sweet cherries! We love the ones from California and Washington too. :) Darn stone fruits – why are they so demanding?! ;)
Christy@SweetandSavoring
Mmm, I haven’t had a good smoothie in awhile- and those berries in the freezer are calling my name! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes these are perfect for frozen berries!! About to have one right now!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
I’ve been eating fresh cherries like candy lately! I need to save a few to try this smoothie!
Liz DellaCroce
Me too!!! Making this smoothie was an easier way of feeding them to my son without pitting them one by one for an hour – lol. :)
Julia
I am addicted to cherries. I eat them almost daily in the summer. I actually haven’t had them in a smoothie–great idea!!
Liz DellaCroce
Me too!! I hope you got some Michigan cherries while you were here!
Jeanette
This sounds incredibly good Liz – my kids would love it if I made this for breakfast!
Liz DellaCroce
My son drank most of mine – I bet yours would love it too!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
I’ve never thought to put cherries in a smoothie. You are so smart, friend! And I can’t believe you are 6.5 months prego. Time is flying by!
Liz DellaCroce
I love putting them in smoothies!! It’s easier for my son to eat them too because I don’t have to pit them one-by-one. :) Plus I figure it’s healthier than a pie. ;)
katie
oh wow this looks and sounds divine. I must give this a try soon. I’ve been making smoothies daily for the past few weeks! Although this is a little more ingredients than I normally do… I must give it a try!
Liz DellaCroce
You totally don’t need to do so many ingredients!! I just love all of the different flavors together. :)
Christina Gathright
This sounds awesome! Do you use cocoa powder or another form of chocolate for this?
Christina Gathright
Nevermind, I must have missed seeing the cocoa powder :)
Liz DellaCroce
Christina you might not have been hallucinating!! I mistakenly left it out and added it back earlier today. Sorry about that!
carrian
holy cherries! and that sounds delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
I know – we get a little cherry crazy around here!! xo
steph@stephsbitebybite
Can’t beat chocolate and cherry!
Liz DellaCroce
I totally agree!! Thanks Steph!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
So much goodness and fun color packed into a glass! Love it :)
Liz DellaCroce
You can’t go wrong with chocolate for breakfast, right?