Here’s an easy and delicious Dark Cherry Smoothie you can enjoy year-round thanks to frozen cherries. Perfect for a grab and go breakfast or after-workout snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Of all the ways there are to indulge yourself, a smoothie is right up there. It can be a nice little reward for washing the dishes, say, or organizing your closets 🙂 It’s also just right for an easy and filling breakfast, or healthy-but-kind-of-special afternoon snack.
There are plenty of solid reasons to put a Dark Cherry Smoothie on your “must make” list, and here’s a few:
- Cherry anything feels super special, but in a smoothie? Move over, green juice.
- This smoothie is easy to make non-dairy if you use nut milk…bonus points for this fact.
- It’s quick! It’s easy! And YAY that you can make it year-round thanks to pitted frozen cherries!
- The only thing better than a cherry smoothie is one with a Cherry Cheese Danish. See what I did there?
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the full recipe, instructions and ingredients, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Coconut Milk: For this recipe we want the full-fat version, and not just because of it’s delish, rich flavor, but also because of the solid cream that sits at the top of the can once you remove the lid. We’ll spoon this it out and set it aside, then mix it with flavorings to make a creamy topping.
- Cherries: Dark, sweet, pitted frozen cherries. Available in most grocery stores.
- Milk: Regular milk or any non-dairy milk you’d like.
- Banana: This gives the smoothie a creamy consistency and a little flavor boost too without being overwhelming.
- Honey: You control the sweetness! Start with a couple of tablespoons, and take it from there.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract adds a mysteriously wonderful depth of flavor you can’t get with anything else.
- Toasted Coconut: Totally optional, but adds a pretty touch to finish the presentation of these Dark Cherry Smoothies.
- Fresh Cherries: Another nice garnish, don’t you think?
Step-by-Step Instructions
For the full recipe, just scroll on down to the recipe card.
Making a Dark Cherry Smoothie is easy! Here’s what you do:
- Open the can of coconut cream and spoon out the solid part – about 1/3 of a cup – and place it in a medium-sized bowl. Freeze for 15 minutes. Make the coconut whipped cream by adding vanilla and maple syrup to the bowl and beat with an electric hand mixer or whisk until it’s smooth and fluffy, a minute or two.
- Pour the remaining coconut cream from the can into an electric blender along with the partially frozen cherries (let cherries sit at room temperature for 15 minutes) as well as the milk, banana, honey and vanilla extract.
- Blend until smooth. Check the flavor and add more honey if you’d like.
- Pour into glasses.
- Garnish with the whipped coconut cream, toasted coconut and fresh cherries. Enjoy!
Tips and Serving Ideas
A few tips for this recipe:
- Partially thaw the cherries by leaving them out on the counter for about 15 minutes. They should be slightly softened but still frozen.
- You can substitute any kind of non-dairy milk you’d like instead of regular milk for this recipe.
- Add more honey if you like it a little sweeter.
- This recipe makes six half cup servings, but you can easily adjust it to make more or less. Better yet, double the recipe and make a big smoothie for everyone!
- Smoothies look great in canning jars like the Weck ones in my photos.
- A Dark Cherry Smoothie would be awesome with a Naan BLT with Sun Dried Tomato Mayo or this Strawberry Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, or even with this fabulous Nectarine Toast with Honey Goat Cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use something other than coconut milk in this recipe?
You can use any milk you’d like! I’d start with cashew or almond milk for their rich flavor.
Can I use something instead of the coconut whipped cream in the recipe?
You can certainly buy any kind of frozen, non-dairy topping and it will be delicious on this smoothie.
More Recipes To Try:
- Strawberry Granola Smoothie: Like the thickest, best non-dairy milkshake with an oatmeal crumble on top. Amazing!
- Jamba Juice Mango a Go Go Smoothie: A great recipe to make at home.
- Melon with Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce: Who knew a melon could taste this decadent?
- Ice Cream Cake with Peanut Butter Ganache: Lots of great shortcuts here, a stunning dessert!
- Boozy Fresh Cherry Blackbottom Milkshakes: Totally delish, booze is optional!
- Frozen Pineapple Nectarine Slushee: OMG on this one. Straight to the tropics!
- Favorite Hot Chocolate: Dark, creamy and non-dairy!
- Pumpkin Milkshake: Buy some extra pumpkin to make these year-round!
If you’ve made a Dark Cherry Smoothie, or any recipe on Studio Delicious, leave a recipe rating and tell me all about it in the comments below!
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Dark Cherry Smoothie
A refreshing, tasty cherry smoothie is a perfect quick breakfast or snack!
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Servings: 6
Calories: 215kcal
Ingredients
- 1 can Coconut Milk, canned full fat variety, with the solid portion from the top of the can reserved and set aside Approx. a 13.5 ounce can
- 2 ½ cups Cherries (frozen,dark,sweet, pitted) partially thawed (12 ounce bag) See Recipe Tips
- ½ cup Milk, regular or non-dairy
- ½ cup Banana, cut in chunks
- 2 tablespoons Honey or more for desired sweetness
- ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- For the COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, pure (not imitation)
- ⅓ cup Coconut Cream layer, reserved from can above
- ¼ cup Toasted Coconut for serving
- ⅓ cup Fresh Cherries with stems for serving, optional
Instructions
- Make the SMOOTHIESOpen the can of coconut cream and spoon out the solid cream that's on the top, about 1/3 cup, and place in a medium-sized bowl. Freeze for 15 minutes. Pour the remaining contents of the coconut cream can into a blender along with the partially frozen cherries, milk, banana, honey and vanilla extractWhiz everything together until completely smooth, adding a bit more milk if its too thick, and a bit more honey if you like it sweeter Pour into glasses Garnish with whipped coconut cream, toasted coconut and a fresh cherry, if desired.
- Make the COCONUT WHIPPED CREAMWhip the the partially frozen coconut cream with a hand mixer or whisk in the medium-sized bowl with the vanilla and maple syrup until smooth and fluffy. Divide on top of each smoothie
Notes
- Partially thaw the cherries by leaving them out for about 15 minutes. They should be slightly softened but still frozen.
- Use any kind of non-dairy milk you’d like instead of regular milk in this recipe
- Add more honey to this recipe if you like it a little sweeter
- This recipe makes six 1/2 cup servings, but it can be three one cup smoothies too
Nutrition
Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 335mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
Tips for Success with Every Recipe
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
Did you make this recipe?Show me! Tag @studiodelicious or use the hashtag #studiodeliciouseats!
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This post was updated with new text and instructions April, 2024.
You had me at dark cherries….or was it the peanut butter pancakes LOL! You are right. It’s nice to have a good non-kale smoothie every once in awhile. Though this is very healthy too and I love coconut cream in it!
🙂
Thanks Pooja- I’m loving it so far!!!
🙂
I love the combination of cherry and coconut. I don’t think I’ve ever tried that. Great treat without the guilt 🙂
Definately! 🙂
This smoothie sounds like such a wonderful way to start the day! I love that you topped with with coconut whipped cream and coconut!
Thank you!
You had me at dark cherries! <3 I love how you use coconut cream and banana here. I'm seriously going to make these this weekend because it is made of all of my favorite things!
Thanks so much!
what a beautiful and vibrant smoothie! Perfect for the cold doldrum of winter – or perfect in the summer, too! Love the addition of the coconut whipped cream – I need to make some of that!
Thank you very much 🙂
The flavor combinations in this cherry smoothie looks AMAZING! I would eat this for breakfast or as a dessert. YUM!
🙂 🙂
Cherries are probably my second favorite fruit ever, right after peaches, and this is a great way to get my cherry fix even when it’s not cherry season. This sounds like such a wonderful smoothie and a great afternoon treat!
Great, thank you!
I am loving dark cherry everything lately. I read about all their awesome health benefits a while back and now I’m hooked. Can’t wait to add this into my smoothie rotation!
Excellent news!
Oh, My. These smoothies look incredible! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
Thank you, hope you like them!
I love the color of the dark cherries. It’s one of my fav fruits and I can’t wait for summer to start picking them. Love this recipe!
Thank you!
I was in love with this recipe before I even saw the creamy, delicious coconut topping!! Now I’m VERY in love! Nothing better than a sweet-but-refreshing smoothie to cool down on a summer day — or indulge any time of the year, for that matter!
Exactly what I think 🙂
Such a delicious and refreshing recipe – I will be making this for my guests this weekend for our garden gathering.
Thats a great idea!
Cherries are my absolute favourite stone fruits, and I always look forward to this time of the year, when they are in season. Love the sound and look of these smoothies, especially that whipped coconut cream on top!
Cherries are the BEST! Thanks
Love these smoothies, I am team Cherry all the way!! So luscious, especially the cherry coconut creme on top!
I couldn’t agree more!
Wonderful recipe, the smoothies looks so good! We like to have smoothies for breakfast and yours will be a treat for us! Thanks for sharing!
Good deal! Thanks 🙂
This is a delicious smoothie and the family loved the smoothie. The tips are awesome and the semi-frozen cherries are devine.
Thank you!
Oh my! I need this in my life. Looks absolutely mouthwatering. Must print your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you 🙂
Yum, these smoothies look delicious! We just picked up a big bag of cherries and I was wondering what to do with them. This sounds perfect!
Oh good! That’s perfect!
I loved how flavorful and slightly tart these Dark Cherry Smoothies were. Definitely very refreshing and enjoyable. My husband said this was an awesome seasonal recipe!
Oh great, thanks!
This smoothie looks so delicious, so good and healthy. I just MUST give this a try asap. I love addition of coconut cream. Flavors are amazing.
Thanks so much!