Raw Chocolate Banana Shake (Print Version)
Creamy blend of ripe bananas and raw cacao for a nourishing chocolate treat.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Base
01 - 2 large ripe bananas, preferably frozen, peeled and sliced
02 - 1½ cups plant-based milk (almond, oat, or coconut)
→ Chocolate Flavor
03 - 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
04 - 1 to 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or agave, to taste
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Texture and Extras
06 - 4 to 6 ice cubes, optional for thickness
07 - Pinch of sea salt
08 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds, optional for added nutrition
# Directions:
01 - Place the banana slices, plant-based milk, raw cacao powder, maple syrup (starting with the lesser amount), vanilla extract, and sea salt into the blender jar.
02 - Toss in the ice cubes and chia or flaxseeds, if using, for extra creaminess and nutritional boost.
03 - Secure the lid and blend on high speed for 30 to 60 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and frothy.
04 - Taste the shake and add more maple syrup or agave if a sweeter flavor is desired, then blend briefly to incorporate.
05 - Pour the finished shake into two serving glasses and enjoy right away while cold and frothy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like a dessert but it is genuinely good for you, which feels like cheating the system in the best way.
- Frozen bananas do all the heavy lifting for creaminess, so you never need dairy or weird thickeners.
02 -
- Frozen bananas are the entire secret to the creamy texture, so peel and slice them before freezing or you will be fighting a rock hard peel with a knife and regretting your choices.
- Raw cacao powder clumps stubbornly if dumped all at once, so either sift it or add it while the blender is already running to avoid bitter chocolate lumps.
03 -
- Keep a freezer bag of peeled, sliced ripe bananas ready at all times and you will never have an excuse to skip making this.
- A tiny pinch of cinnamon added with the cacao creates a warmth that makes this shake feel appropriate even on cool mornings.