Black Forest Smoothie Bowl

5 from 1 vote

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This black forest smoothie bowl captures the indulgent flavors of chocolate and cherry! It’s decadent, high in protein, and the perfect base for sweet toppings.

a spoonful of chocolate cherry smoothie with fresh cherries.


 

Why you’ll love this recipe:

A smoothie bowl is an ultra-thick, creamy smoothie served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon!

This one is inspired by one of my favorite cakes – black forest cake, a showstopping chocolate cake layered with whipped cream and sweet cherries!

While this black forest smoothie bowl isn’t a slice of cake, it is sweet, decadent, and luxurious. It boasts a deep chocolate flavor and sweet cherry finish. It’s the perfect base for sweet, crunchy toppings!

My kids call it an “ice cream smoothie.” And it makes a perfect breakfast or snack!

Key Ingredient Notes:

  • Chocolate milk – If you don’t have chocolate milk, regular milk or almond milk works too! It won’t be as sweet, but you can always add a teaspoon of maple syrup, if necessary.
  • Chocolate protein powder – For a protein boost and extra chocolatey goodness! All protein powder brands taste slightly different, so choose one you like. You can also substitute 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder!
  • Frozen sweet cherries – It’s important to use frozen cherries, or the smoothie bowl won’t be thick! Though rare, tart cherries are also great for this smoothie bowl recipe!
  • Frozen pear – Core and slice the pear a day ahead of time and freeze. There’s no need to peel it since the peel is thin and hardly noticeable. A fresh pear works too, but the smoothie bowl won’t be as thick.
chocolate protein powder, chocolate milk, pear, and cherries.

How to make this recipe:

  • Add the chocolate milk, protein powder, frozen cherries and pear in a blender.
  • Blend on the highest setting for one minute or until the mixture is nice and smooth. You may need to stop the blender and scrape the sides with a spatula.
pear, cherries, and protein powder in a blender, chocolate cherry smoothie.

Tip

If your blender has a tamper, use it to push the fruit toward the blade.

It takes some coaxing to get the frozen fruit to break down without too much liquid for thick and frosty consistency.

Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with desired toppings! See below for topping ideas.

a black forest smoothie bowl with cherries on top.

Tips for Success:

  • For best results, use a high-powered blender. A quality blender has a strong motor that gives you a super creamy blend! A food processor works too!
  • For a sweeter smoothie, swap the pear with a banana. Bananas are high in natural sugar.
  • Be sure to use frozen fruit! A smoothie bowl should be thick enough to eat with a spoon. Fresh fruit won’t achieve the right consistency.
  • Add a splash more liquid to make this into a black forest smoothie! The only difference between a smoothie and a smoothie bowl is the consistency.
  • If you decide to freeze freshly picked cherries, make sure to remove the pits first! The pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous.
granola, cacao nibs, and coconut.

Topping Ideas:

Toppings are the best part of a smoothie bowl! They add texture, crunch, sweetness, and contrast. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

  • Cacao nibs – Slightly bitter and nutty, with plenty of crunch. It’s my favorite topping for this smoothie bowl!
  • Coconut – Try shredded coconut, toasted coconut, or coconut flakes. Choose unsweetened coconut!
  • Granola – Homemade or store-bought, in any flavor! My go-to is my almond granola mix.
  • Mini chocolate chips for an additional chocolate bite!!
  • Sliced bananas go with any flavor combo!
  • Nuts – Sliced almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts.
  • Seeds – Flax, hemp, or chia seeds add nuttiness and texture.
a spoonful of chocolate cherry smoothie bowl.

Variations:

  • Milk – You can swap the chocolate milk with chocolate oat milk or another plant-based version!
  • Protein powder – Whey protein or plant-based protein both work great!
  • Nut butter – For more protein and a hint of nuttiness, add a scoop of almond butter.
  • Hemp hearts – Add hemp hearts or ground flaxseed for additional protein and fiber.

Storing Tips:

A smoothie bowl is best enjoyed fresh! I don’t recommend storing it in the fridge because it loses its thick and frosty texture!

FAQs:

What’s the best liquid for a smoothie bowl?

It depends on the flavors in your smoothie! If you’re not sure what goes, milk or plant-based milk is a safe option! It goes with any flavor combo, fruit, green, or chocolate, and it gives you a creamier blend.

What’s the trick to a thick smoothie bowl?

The key to a thick smoothie bowl is frozen fruit and less liquid. Fruit is more than 80 percent water, which means it’s thin and liquidy when blended. It needs to be frozen to give you a thick and creamy texture.

More Smoothie Recipes:

a spoonful of chocolate cherry smoothie with fresh cherries.
5 from 1 vote

Black Forest Smoothie Bowl

This black forest smoothie bowl captures the indulgent flavors of chocolate and cherry! It's decadent, high in protein, and the perfect base for sweet toppings.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) chocolate milk
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 1 cup (140 g) frozen sweet cherries
  • 1 frozen pear Note 1

Toppings (optional):

  • frozen cherries
  • cacao nibs
  • granola mix
  • unsweetened coconut flakes

Equipment

  • blender

Instructions 

  • In a blender, layer the ingredients in the order they’re listed. Blend on the highest setting for 1 minute or until nice and smooth. You may need to use the pusher to help the mixture blend better. Frozen fruits may take a bit to break down and blend into a smooth mixture.
  • Pour it into a bowl and add desired toppings. Enjoy!

Tips & Notes

Note 1: You can use a fresh pear, but I like how a frozen pear thickens the consistency. You may also substitute frozen banana for pear, but I find it too sweet. 
Storing Tips:
– A smoothie bowl is best enjoyed fresh! I don’t recommend storing it in the fridge because it loses it’s thick and frosty texture! 

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal
Carbohydrates: 63g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 4g
Sugar: 42g
Sodium: 163mg
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American

Hi, I’m Shinee!

Welcome! I’m so happy you’re here! I believe anyone can cook restaurant-quality food at home! And my goal is to help you to become a confident cook with my easy-to-follow recipes with lots of tips and step-by-step photos.

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