vegan mint chocolate chip shake

It’s been so hot out lately that we’ve been craving lighter, cooling foods; salads, smoothies, lettuce wraps…pretty much anything that’s refreshing and is quick to make. Living in a van the last thing you want on a hot day is to heat to the van up with a stove or anything that creates heat. Thankfully both of us thrive on raw foods and LOVE drinking smoothies everyday.

One recipe we’ve been having almost daily is this vegan mint chocolate chip shake, or smoothie…I’m actually not quite sure which one it really is but it is thick like a shake but doesn’t have any of the ingredients that often make you feel guilty or so full of sugar you can’t drink it in the late afternoon.

It’s naturally sweet with bananas, vanilla, dates, cashews, and a touch of peppermint essential oil (or fresh mint if you have some).

I am not lying when I tell you we both literally moan in excitement the minute we put it in our mouths.

Full-on When Harry Met Sally moment every day in the kitchen this summer with this deliciousness.

There are a couple of must-know tricks to getting a super creamy shake-like consistency with this recipe:

• Only use frozen bananas. Peel your bananas 24 hours ahead of time and dice them or split them up into at least 4 pieces each. Then place them in a bag or container in the freezer until you are ready to make the shake. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

• You can use store-bought non-dairy milk though a rich, homemade cashew mylk will be so much better! You can either make this ahead of time OR you can just toss in some cashews with everything else if you have a really exceptional blender, like a Vitamix (it’s seriously the one item we could never live without and well worth the money). If you find your shake to be filled with cashew chunks after blending then it may be that you need a high-powered blender or pre-made mylk.

• Don’t be shy with the bananas! I estimated about how many we use but some bananas are smaller than others so if you don’t get a thick consistency in which you could plop some delicious cacao nibs or chocolate chips on top without them sinking then add more bananas.

I’ve listed some other notes below the recipe based on the ingredients so you have variations to play with at home. Be sure to take a look at those too.

Now that we covered all that let’s get to it!

vegan mint-chocolate-chip shake

Ingredients

for 2 people, about 20 oz each

• 3 cups cashew mylk*

• 3-4 dates, pits removed

• 4 frozen bananas

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1-2 drops peppermint EO OR a large handful of fresh mint**

• 1/4 tsp spirulina

• to stir in (do not blend!): cacao nibs or chocolate chips of choice

• optional add -ins: mushroom powder or cinnamon

Directions

Place all ingredients, except cacao nibs, into the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Once you are done blending, pour the shake into your cup of choice. Top with cacao nibs, or chocolate chips, and a garnish of fresh mint if you are feeling fancy. You can either leave them like this and nibble on them as you drink or stir them in.

Once you are garnished and ready to drink, relax in the knowingness that you just made yourself a healthy shake!

*If you do not have cashew mylk or just don’t feel like making it then you can add in 1/4 - 1/2 cup cashews into the blender with everything else. I do recommend soaking, draining, and then rinsing them prior if you have the time. If not I think it turns out pretty well if you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix.

**If you do not have peppermint essential oil then you can add fresh peppermint. I have noticed the taste is not quite as strong nor refreshing but it is still a delicious recipe.

If you make this recipe be sure to snap a pic and tag us on Instagram. We’d love to see your creations!

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