Healthy Carrot Cake Smoothie

And what's better in the spring than an Easter-inspired smoothie full of bright, healthy carrots? It's a great way to have your cake and eat it too! (yep, I had to go there!) It's fresh and sweet with layers of flavor and tastes like carrot cake in a glass. What more could you ask for?

Why You'll Love This Carrot Smoothie Recipe

• Quick and easy breakfast, snack, or dessert
• Creamy indulgent texture
• No sugar, just naturally sweetened with fruit and maple syrup
• Tastes like your favorite carrot cake without the guilt
• AND it's healthy!

Carrot Smoothie Benefits

Now check out more reasons why Bugs Bunny was one smart bunny for lovin' his carrots!

• Carrots are classified as a root vegetable & weight-loss-friendly - 1 carrot has only 21 calories, is low in fat, and contains no cholesterol.
• Rich in antioxidants including beta-carotene (with the highest amounts found in orange/yellow carrots)
• Rich in Vitamin A, C, and B-complex vitamins as well as potassium

Ingredients

Of course, there are other ingredients besides carrots in this carrot cake smoothie and they offer their own health benefits too.

Carrots – provide the color and flavor reminiscent of carrot cake. If you like thicker smoothies, freeze the carrots prior to adding them to the carrot smoothie recipe. (1 cup grated carrot is about 2 medium)

Frozen bananas – help give the smoothie its creamy texture, provide some sweetness, and are packed with fiber, Vitamin C, and antioxidants

Pineapple chunks - add sweetness and are an essential part of my favorite carrot cake. Freezing the pineapple adds to the thickness for the perfect carrot banana smoothie bowl. You can also use 1-2 Tablespoons of pineapple juice in lieu of the actual fruit

Oranges – these can be fresh or you can freeze the sections to help with the consistency. You can even substitute a small lemon.

Almond milk – aids the blender in processing the fruit. It is low in calories, high in Vitamin E, and is usually fortified with calcium and Vitamin D

Vanilla Greek yogurt – gives a boost of protein while helping with the smooth and creamy consistency. It hints at the flavor of cream cheese frosting while balancing out the fruit-vegetable combination.

Coconut – adds a tropical flavor but can be omitted if it's not on your favorite list

Walnuts – add a heartiness and a nutty flavor as well as omega 3s and antioxidants. You can substitute pecans if you prefer or leave out altogether.

Spices – of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg bring the carrot cake flavor alive while cinnamon adds anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants.

Protein powder – gives a protein boost but is totally optional

How to Make a Carrot Smoothie

1. Pour liquids such as yogurt, almond milk, and pineapple juice (if not using pineapple chunks) into blender first.
2. Sprinkle in spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. Add sweetener, either pure maple syrup or honey as well as vanilla extract.
4. Now it's time for the fruit and veggies which can be either frozen or fresh. Add carrots, orange sections, sliced banana and pineapple chunks if using in lieu of juice.
5. Finish with some shredded coconut and chopped walnuts or pecans.
6. Blend well.

Tip: If your blender is not heavy duty, grate the carrots first then blend

7. Pour smoothie into a mason jar. If you opted for frozen fruit, pour or scoop into a bowl.

Finish with your favorite garnishes and, if you're feeling in the mood for indulgence, add some whipped cream. Just sayin'!

So whether you call this a carrot cake smoothie, a carrot banana smoothie, a carrot orange smoothie, or a pineapple carrot smoothie it's all good! Here's to your health!

Tips & Tricks

Use frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold and thick, perfect for a smoothie bowl.

Add more milk or even a dash of pineapple juice if your blender needs help to process all the vegetables and fruit.

Use your favorite milk, from almond to cashew, oat to coconut, to regular or low-fat.

Meal Prep - add all the ingredients except the frozen fruit to the blender and store in the refrigerator. Place the frozen fruit, measured out, in a freezer-safe baggie and take out when ready to mix. Voila - instant breakfast smoothie!

Variations

Carrot Banana Smoothie Popsicles - Pour the smoothie mixture (using fresh fruit instead of frozen) into popsicle molds and freeze. A great summertime cooler!

Dairy-free - just use almond or other non-dairy yogurt substitute and a plant-based milk

Make a Spinach Carrot Smoothie by adding ½ cup spinach. It is chock full of Vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, folate, potassium, and fiber. You won't be able to taste the spinach but it will change the color to more of a brown.

Bulk up with Oats - add 2-4 Tablespoon to give a feeling of fullness as well as being heart-healthy and full of fiber

Almond butter - or pecan butter adds a nice toasty flavor (try 1-2 tablespoons)

Chia Seeds - for a boost of fiber and healthy fat (about 1 tablespoon) or try a bit of avocado

Other flavor combinations - replace the orange with 1 chopped apple for an Apple Carrot Smoothie, ½ chopped mango for a Carrot Mango Smoothie, 1 cup strawberries for a Carrot Strawberry Smoothie and 1 cup blueberries for a Blueberry Carrot Smoothie

More Smoothie Recipes

Coconut Mango Smoothie Bowl is a healthy, easy-to-make smoothie delivering a big boost of protein and fiber with a delicious combination of bananas, mangoes, coconut milk, and yogurt.

Green Pina Colada Smoothie Bowl is full of mango, pineapple, bananas, and coconut flavors with an added boost from spinach and protein powder. A delicious and powerful breakfast or post-workout treat.

Citrus Zing Green Smoothie Bowl from Foxes Love Lemons - is a fresh, brightly-flavored green smoothie packed with citrus, pineapple, and kale and topped with your favorite garnishes! 

Tropical Coconut Smoothie is a 5-minute energy-boosting smoothie with all the tropical flavors of coconut, pineapple, banana & limes mixed in.

Find lots of healthy smoothie recipes here on 2CM!