Serves: 2 | Time: 5 minutes | Dietary: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, High-Protein, Vegan-Friendly
The Flavor Profile
Imagine a Black Forest cake in a glass. Dark, jammy cherries. Rich, deep chocolate. And a creamy, velvety texture that feels utterly decadent. The avocado doesn’t add flavor it adds magic. No dairy needed. No ice required. Just pure, antioxidant-packed, chocolate-cherry bliss that tastes like dessert but fuels you like a champion.
Try my PB Coffee Protein Smoothie recipe.
Why You’ll Love This (Short & Sweet Version)
→ Healthy fats from avocado – Keeps you full for hours and makes your skin happy.
→ Antioxidant bomb – Cherries are packed with inflammation-fighting compounds.
→ Tastes like a milkshake – No joke. This is dangerously delicious.
→ Only 5 ingredients – Simple, whole foods, no weird additives.
→ No ice needed – Frozen cherries do all the work. No watered-down flavor.
→ Dairy-free and vegan – Everyone at the table can enjoy this one.
Try my Orange Turmeric Smoothie recipe.
What You’ll Need
- 12.1 fl. oz. (360ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 avocado (ripe, soft, and ready to go)
- 8 oz. (230g) frozen cherries (pitted – very important!)
- 1.7 oz. (50g) chocolate protein powder (vegan if needed)
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
What You’ll Need To Do
1| Check your cherries – Make absolutely sure they are pitted. Biting into a cherry pit in a smoothie is a sad day.
2| Prep the avocado – Cut in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into the blender. Use a ripe one (dark skin, slightly soft to gentle pressure).
3| Layer liquids first – Almond milk + vanilla extract into the blender.
4| Add avocado and protein powder – Scoop in the avocado flesh, then sprinkle the chocolate protein powder.
5| Add frozen cherries – All 8 oz. go in last.
6| Blend – Start on low, then ramp up to high. Blend for 60-75 seconds until completely smooth, thick, and luscious.
7| Check consistency – Should be thick like a milkshake. Adjust if needed (see tips below).
8| Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.
Pro tip: If your blender struggles with thick smoothies, add the almond milk and avocado first and blend for 10 seconds before adding the cherries and protein powder.
Try my Keto Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie recipe.
Make It Your Own
Easy Swaps
- No chocolate protein powder? Use vanilla protein powder + 1 tbsp. cocoa powder. Not quite as rich, but still delicious.
- No frozen cherries? Use frozen mixed berries (dark cherry vibe) or frozen raspberries (chocolate-raspberry is elite).
- No avocado? Use ½ frozen banana + 1 tbsp. coconut oil (different texture, still creamy).
- No almond milk? Oat milk (creamier, sweeter), coconut milk (tropical chocolate), or soy milk (more protein).
- No vanilla extract? Use ½ tsp. almond extract (cherry-almond-chocolate = chef’s kiss).
Twist & Tweak Ideas
- Cherry-almond chocolate: Swap vanilla extract for ½ tsp. almond extract. Tastes like a fancy chocolate cherry cordial.
- Mint chocolate cherry: Add 4–5 fresh mint leaves or ⅛ tsp. peppermint extract. Girl Scout Thin Mint vibes.
- Spiced cherry: Add ¼ tsp. cinnamon + a pinch of cayenne (Mexican hot chocolate meets cherry).
- Coffee kick: Add 2 tbsp. cold brew coffee or ¼ tsp. instant espresso powder. Mocha cherry magic.
- Extra thick smoothie bowl: Use only 8 fl. oz. (240ml) almond milk. Pour into a bowl. Top with cacao nibs, shredded coconut, and a few fresh cherries.
- Tart cherry version: Use frozen tart cherries (Montmorency) – they’re tarter and amazing for sleep/recovery.
- Green stealth: Add a handful of spinach. You won’t taste it. The chocolate covers everything.
Try my Anti-Inflammatory Papaya and Turmeric Smoothie recipe.
Helpful Tips for Success
1| Ripe avocado is non-negotiable – A hard avocado will leave you with chunky, bitter bits. A ripe avocado (dark skin, gives slightly to gentle pressure) blends into silky nothingness.
2| Pitted cherries only – I’m saying it again because it’s important. Frozen cherries are usually pitted, but double-check the bag. Biting a pit = ruined smoothie and possibly a chipped tooth.
3| No ice needed – Frozen cherries + avocado = naturally thick and cold. Ice would water down the flavor and thin out the texture.
4| Chocolate protein powder varies wildly – Some are sweet, some are bitter, some are very “protein-y.” Taste before serving. If it’s too bitter, add 1 soft date or 1 tsp. maple syrup. If it’s too sweet, add a pinch of salt or 1 tbsp. cocoa powder.
5| Too thick? Add 2-4 tbsp. more almond milk, 1 tbsp. at a time, and re-blend.
6| Too thin? Add ½ cup frozen cherries or ¼ avocado and re-blend.
7| Grainy texture? Your protein powder might have a grainy texture. Try blending the protein powder with the almond milk first for 20 seconds before adding other ingredients.
Try my Kale, Lime and Coconut Water Smoothie recipe.
Budget-Friendly Tips
1| Buy frozen cherries in bulk – Costco and Trader Joe’s have excellent frozen cherry bags. A $10-12 bag makes 5-6 smoothies.
2| Avocados on sale – Buy ripe ones on clearance (they’re often 50% off). Scoop the flesh and freeze in a bag for later. Frozen avocado works perfectly in smoothies.
3| Chocolate protein powder – Chocolate is usually cheaper than fancy flavors. Buy a large tub when on sale.
4| Vanilla extract – You don’t need $20 Madagascar vanilla for smoothies. Costco or store brand works perfectly.
5| Almond milk – Buy shelf-stable boxes in bulk. They last for months in the pantry.
Try my Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie recipe.
Serving Ideas
1| Post-workout recovery – Cherries reduce muscle soreness. Chocolate protein rebuilds muscle. This is the ideal post-gym smoothie.
2| Evening dessert – Seriously. Skip the ice cream. This hits the same spot with way less sugar and way more nutrition.
3| Late-night craving killer – The healthy fats + protein will satisfy you with one glass.
4| Kid-friendly “chocolate milkshake” – Call it a “Cherry Chocolate Shake.” Kids will beg for it. (And you’ll feel great saying yes.)
5| Breakfast for chocolate lovers – If you wake up craving chocolate, this is your answer.
6| Pre-bed smoothie – Tart cherries (if you use them) naturally contain melatonin. Great for sleep.
Try my Avocado and Kiwi Power Shake recipe.
Storage Tips
1| Best enjoyed immediately – Avocado oxidizes and turns brownish. The flavor is still fine for a few hours, but the color gets weird.
2| Need to prep ahead? Make freezer packs: In a bag, combine frozen cherries + chocolate protein powder. Freeze flat. On smoothie day, dump bag into blender + almond milk + avocado + vanilla extract.
3| Leftovers? Pour into ice cube trays. Next time, blend the cubes with fresh almond milk for an instant cherry chocolate smoothie.
4| Mason jar method (4-hour max) – Blend without ice (no ice anyway). Pour into a mason jar, fill to the brim (no air), seal tightly. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Shake well before drinking. The color will darken, but it’s safe.
5| Do not freeze overnight – Avocado doesn’t freeze well in liquid form. The texture becomes grainy and weird.
Try my Matcha Chia Pudding with Mango Puree recipe.
Final Thoughts
Most chocolate smoothies are either (a) a sugar bomb pretending to be healthy, (b) chalky and sad, or (c) loaded with dairy. This one is none of those things. The avocado creates a silky, milkshake-like texture without a drop of ice cream. The cherries add tartness, antioxidants, and that beautiful dark red color. And the chocolate protein powder makes it taste like a legit dessert. Keep frozen cherries and ripe avocados in your kitchen, and you’re always five minutes away from a smoothie that feels illegal but is actually incredibly good for you.
Nutrition (per serving – approximate):
| Energy | Carbs | Protein | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~420 kcal | ~30g | ~28g | ~22g |
Note: Nutrition varies based on avocado size, protein powder brand, and cherries. The fat content is healthy fat from avocado.
Make it vegan: Use plant-based chocolate protein powder. ✅ Already dairy-free.
Make it nut-free: Swap almond milk for oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
Lower fat version: Use ½ avocado instead of a whole one. Protein stays the same, fat drops to ~11g per serving.
Higher protein version: Add 2 tbsp. Greek yogurt (if not dairy-free) or 1 tbsp. hemp hearts.
🍒 Quick Reference: 3 Cherry Chocolate Variations
| Version | Change | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry-Almond | Swap vanilla extract for ½ tsp. almond extract | Fancy chocolate cordial |
| Mint Chocolate Cherry | Add 4–5 fresh mint leaves or ⅛ tsp. peppermint extract | Girl Scout Thin Mint |
| Mocha Cherry | Add 2 tbsp. cold brew coffee or ¼ tsp. instant espresso powder | Morning chocolate fix |
The Cherry Protein Smoothie: A Black Forest Dream (That’s Actually Good for You)
Craving something fruity and chocolaty? 🍫🍒 I blend up this vegan cherry protein smoothie when I want something healthy that tastes like a treat. Gluten free too – enjoy every sip! 🥤💚
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Add almond milk and vanilla extract to the blender first.
-
Scoop in the ripe avocado flesh.
-
Add chocolate protein powder.
-
Add frozen cherries.
-
Blend on low, then high, for 60–75 seconds until completely smooth, thick, and creamy.
-
Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 350kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 18g28%
- Total Carbohydrate 24g8%
- Protein 23g46%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
