Rich, creamy and smooth, this carrot cake smoothie is like having cake for breakfast, but only healthy. Packed with fruits, veggies & tons of nutrients!
Two of the things I love most about (my food) life? Smoothies and veggies. And it seriously lights me up when they're together as one power-packed, nutrient-dense meal.
But let's be real, the thought of veggie smoothies really isn't that appealing. So what we're doing instead is creating a dessert like smoothie that just so happens to be veggie based.
What better combo than to create our own healthy version of a carrot cake smoothie, sneaking in two types of veggies and it still tastes like a treat!
The Best High-Powered Blender
Thank goodness for my Vitamix. Having a high-powered blender has changed my life. I use mine multiple times a day, every day, and it's one of those things that I can't imagine living without.
Before owning a high-powered blender, I would never have considered throwing carrots (or frozen cauliflower) into a smoothie. And while I know the price can throw some people off, the texture you get is unmatched.
This carrot cake smoothie is rich and creamy, and everything that a smoothie should be. A silky smooth beverage that my old blender would never have been able to create. And not to mention, it tastes like a piece of cake in a glass!
Why Thick Smoothies are Better
I'm very particular about my smoothies. It's all about texture for me. Some people like thin smoothies that you can sip almost like a juice (ahem, Matt), but I'm the exact opposite. I eat pretty much every single smoothie with a spoon and some sort of topping.
There are a few reasons why I think thick smoothies are better:
- They're more filling
- They take longer to eat
- You actually chew them
Most of the time, my smoothies are my meals, so I want my smoothie to actually fill me up and keep me satisfied. Having a thick smoothie takes me longer to eat (I drink thin smoothies in like 30 seconds) and I almost always putting toppings on, so I end up feeling pretty full after my meal.
I also love that they make me chew!
We all know that chewing our food is super important for digestion. When you have a “drinkable” smoothie, you're not really chewing, just swallowing. That's why I like them thick and with toppings ā I end up actually chewing them!
Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, smoothies always hit the spot, especially when I make it a point to make them feel like a real meal. Which ultimately means it's got to be thick, velvety and smooth. Like soft serve ice cream!
So, what sparked the carrot cake smoothie idea (aside from my adoration of all things involving carrot cake)?
Simply put, I had carrots in my fridge, wasn't feeling the green smoothie vibe, but still wanted something filling and fiber-rich. And I figured since I have a super powerful blender, why wouldn't it whip carrots into a delightful beverage? And yep, you guessed it. It totally does. I mean just LOOK at that texture!
Plus, who wouldn't love eating something that tastes like carrot cake but is actually healthy?! I know I would!
More Carrot Cake Flavored Recipes:
- Vegan Carrot Cake Breakfast Bars
- Carrot Cake Quinoa Breakfast Cookies
- Healthy Carrot Cake Blender Muffins
- High Protein Carrot Cake Chia Pudding
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrots chopped (about 2 medium)
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower or zucchini
- 1/2 cup frozen mango/pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes (or shredded)
- 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1/2 - 1 full banana (preferably frozen)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high powered blender in the order listed. Blend on low for 1 minute, then turn to high for another minute, or until completely smooth.
- Pour into a glass, garnish with shredded carrots, coconut flakes and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon, and serve. Enjoy!