A two-toned healthy Mint Chocolate Shamrock Smoothie with two veggies hiding underneath sweet, frosty, milkshake-meets-smoothie flavor!
I considered skipping St. Patty’s Day entirely in terms of a themed treat–there are so many healthy shamrock shake recipes out there already. But the idea to add chocolate to the shamrock and sneak veggies into both layers persuaded me to not pass up the minty green occasion. Also the concept of coating a jar in copious amounts of chocolate may have had something to do with it. For presentation purposes of course.
I have missed making multi-layered milkshakes and frozen fruity jars these past few chilly months. Filling up a glass with countless shades of sweet and sprinkled-in things is always one of the most fun kitchen creation processes. It’s March now. It’s spring soon. It’s time to bring back the frosty beverages and bowls, I think.
This Mint Chocolate Shamrock Smoothie could reasonably replace your morning green smoothie (well minus the chocolate drips maybe). Veggie colored, fruit sweetened, and a little chocolate with breakfast never hurt anybody. And when it comes to veggie count this one may actually win with two veggies blended in, not just the spinach you are expecting.
Thank goodness I don’t organize or clean out my freezer very often because while digging for the frozen bananas (which get buried deep during the winter) I spotted a bag of frozen cauliflower I didn’t know I had and decided to put it to use
I’ve seen this smoothie trick of trend for a while now, but had yet to try it for myself. Pack in extra veggies while making the smoothie extra thick? Um YEAH! And it’s already an established fact that I am not opposed to cauliflower as chocolate.
As you can see in the video it really boosts up the frosty texture, and you cannot taste it. Or if you can taste it then you clearly did not add enough cacao powder.
Except for that one unexpected add-in, I kept everything else simple. Minimal ingredients. Standard smoothie stuff. Your smoothies always involve piped coffeehouse-style whipped toppings, shaved chocolate, and fresh herb garnishes too, right?
A two veggie, two tone, almost too pretty to eat treat for two!
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A two-toned healthy Mint Chocolate Shamrock Smoothie with two veggies hiding underneath sweet, frosty, milkshake-meets-smoothie flavor!
Ingredients
Mint layer
- 3 frozen bananas
- 1 large handful spinach
- 1/2 tsp mint extract
- 1 cup non-dairy milk (I used coconut milk)
Chocolate layer
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
To serve (optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Coconut whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings and mint leaves to garnish
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips. Dip the rim of your jars/glasses into the melted chocolate and use a spoon to drizzle/drip more around the top. Coat the spoon in chocolate and shake it in the bottom of the jar to create the small chocolate splatters. Freeze for 5 minutes.
- Blend each smoothie layer separately until very creamy.
- Layer into the decorated jars/glasses. Top with coconut whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and mint leaf.
- Enjoy!
More sweet treats worthy of a whipped cream swirl…
-A shake-smoothie hybrid of a different color
-No one said the swirl itself couldn’t be chocolate
-My favorite pie in creamy and quick parfait form
–Golden and full of only good stuff
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Natalie I have NEVER heard of the cauliflower thing before, I have to admit my jaw dropped when I read that! But then I immediately thought of how I use frozen cauliflower in things like cheese sauces with nutritional yeast and it totally made sense! And I always lean sweet over savory, so I can’t wait to try it in something like this gorgeous smoothie! PS you’re totally right, being able to drench a jar in chocolate is good enough reason to create a St. Patrick’s day recipe!! Looks (almost) too pretty to eat. 🙂
Cauliflower can do ANYTHING!! Okay maybe not anything (I tried cauliflower frozen yogurt today…major disaster lol), but it is so amazingly versatile. I’ve heard about this smoothie thing for a while and finally tried it. It gives an awesome texture, very frosty-like. Drenching serveware in chocolate, maybe that will be my new tradition for all holidays? Thanks girl!
I’m SO glad that you decided not to skip St. Patty’s Day!! I can’t imagine how sad and seriously not tasty the green-a-licious (okay, I don’t know why I just said that) day would be without this guy! Seriously, Nat, I am DROOLING like crazy just looking at this! Loving the layers up layers upon layers of chocolate! Would you judge me if I were to enjoy like all of that dripping chocolate? 😉 I SO agree that it’s time to bring back all the frosty drinks! I firmly believe the more we make, the sooner the good, warm weather will return. Don’t ya think? 😉 It’s awesome that you squeezed in not one, but two!!, veggies in this glorious, obviously lucky smoothie! Love it! xoxo
You can add “licious” to the end of any word–totally acceptable always. I mean how else do you describe the flavor of a color?? Wait…? I can’t tell you how much it pained me to not be able to get every. last. bit. of chocolate off those jars. And I tried…oh trust me I tried for longer than I care to admit? Yep, I am totally jumping on the pre-spring smoothies thing with ya! xoxo
Mint chocolate is my FAVORITE ice cream flavor! I love that this smoothie looks and tastes like a decadent treat but it still packs in some veggies. I know you say it’s for two, but it looks so good I might not be nice enough to share 😉 .
xxMeah
Ha it’s definitely on that to share or not to share fine line 😀 One of my all time favorite flavors too, thanks Meah!!
The cauliflower addition is BRILLIANT. Omg. And I love how you describe these as having a frosty texture….YES PLEASE. I am sure yours are 10x better than Wendy’s though! 😉
I might I’d have to dump a cup of sugar in to be able to compete with Wendy’s, but their’s certainly don’t count as a serving of veg 😀 Thanks Kaila!
As if the mint chocolate shake wasn’t delicious enough, the chocolate coating on the glass .. OMG. I need that right now! The photos are the bomb, Natalie!!
The chocolate covered cup is possibly my favorite part of this whole dessert…in fact I may or may not have done a caramel covered cup to post soon too? Thanks Bianca!
Waaaah!! The excitement!! <3 So looking forward to it!
Natalie, these look absolutely incredible! I’ve never even heard of using cauliflower in smoothies before, lol! I’ll have to give it a go! Haha – for two!? Hmmm, I reckon I’d be hiding that second one and having it myself ?
It’s a new little trick for me too, but I am OBSESSED with it now!! I’ve seriously been putting it in just about every smoothie lately–I totally recommend trying it. Haha yes, more veggies for you! Thanks Katie?
Hi Natalie,
do I need to cook the cauliflower before I I freeze it? Thank you! (and ps. these look amazing!!)
Oh great question! I always buy mine pre frozen so I didn’t think to specify, but yes you want to at least blanch it or steam it before freezing. Enjoy!!
This was very good! I probably would have used a 1/4 tsp of mint next time! I commented and posted a picture of this on your pinterest link! I love your blog! I can’t wait to make your lemon bars with cauliflower! Please keep sneaking veggies or beans into your recipes I love it! Have a blessed week!
★★★★
It looks amazing!! I am so happy you liked it, and good to know on the mint–I tend to be a little heavy handed with it ha💚 Oooh yay, can’t wait to hear how they turn out, and will (happily) do😊