A creamy healthy smoothie that tastes like a gingerbread cookie! No fruit added, so this smoothie is low in sugar and high in protein. A great way to start your day with classic gingerbread flavor.
I'm about to let you in on a life-changing secret. A smoothie hack that is about to change everything you thought you knew about smoothies.
Are you ready?
Smoothies do not need fruit to be delicious.
Mind. Blown.
I am in love with smoothies, they are fast, nutrient dense, and a healthy eating staple in my life. Over the years I have probably made hundreds of different recipes and experimented with more ingredients than I care to share. I have had many smoothie failures through the years. Dedicated to always playing around and finding the perfect combination of superfoods and deliciousness.
For some of my clients, starting the day with fruit is not supportive. They find it stimulates their appetite in a negative way and the smoothie ends up leaving them more hungry than before they ate it. I've had the same experience. Some smoothies leave me hungry and craving sweets, which is definitely not the goal. Even the highly praised green smoothie variety is oftentimes a smoothie with a little bit of greens and a whole lot of fruit. Which is certainly delicious, but not always what I am looking for.
So I had this idea to create a no fruit smoothie. A no fruit smoothie that was still delicious, rich and creamy. I tested for months until I got it just right. Until I discovered the best smoothie secret ever.
What is The Best Smoothie Secret Ever?
Cauliflower. The secret ingredient is Frozen Cauliflower.
I discovered that frozen cauliflower is the PERFECT base for smoothies. It is neutral and creamy and loaded with nutrients.
I realize this is not on the typical top 10 list of smoothie ingredients but take it from me, this smoothie does not taste like cauliflower. That is a true statement. All you taste is creamy goodness.
So when I was thinking about creating the perfect gingerbread smoothie (gingerbread cookies are my all-time favorite cookie) I knew the base had to be cauliflower.
Not banana?
Nope, I think we've all had enough banana smoothies to last a lifetime (disclaimer: I love banana based smoothies, and will still create banana-tastic smoothie recipes).
This vegan gingerbread smoothie is powered by cauliflower, tahini, molasses, and warming spices, blended together for a super yummy, healthy treat. Note: I added a lot of warming spices to make this a smoothie that you can enjoy in chilly weather, perfect for the holiday season.
Fresh ginger, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon are the spice stars of this healthy gingerbread smoothie. When you add spices that are by nature warming, it helps mitigate the cooling effect of a smoothie (or cold drink).
How Healthy is This Gingerbread Smoothie?
Sooooo healthy! This smoothie really packs a nutritional punch full of health benefits. The best part is that this gingerbread smoothie recipe will please all you health food fanatics and anyone with a sweet tooth. Here are the deets:
- Blackstrap Molasses is a natural sweetener with the lowest sugar content of any sugar cane product. It is an excellent source of iron, calcium, and magnesium and makes delicious treats.
- This smoothie contains 6g of dietary fiber. I suggest 30g/day for clients for overall health the SAD breakfast contains 0-1 g. 6g of fiber for breakfast, thank you cauliflower, is an excellent start!
- The tahini (sesame seed paste) provides an excellent balance of protein
- Additionally loaded with vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus, excellent for your immune system.
A creamy gingerbread smoothie with the perfect amount of warm spices. This is the perfect holiday smoothie and the only smoothie recipe you need all winter long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course, naturally, it won't be a vegan or dairy-free smoothie any longer.
Yes, 100% Real ginger has amazing health benefits, especially tin the colder months. Ginger improves digestion, supports a healthy immune system, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Cauliflower is high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin K, folate, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and fiber. It is also rich in folate which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy.
The Best Blender for Smoothies
I am asked all the time which high powered blender I prefer for smoothies. I am a die hard Vitamix fan (affiliate link). I received my first Vitamix 5 years ago for Christmas and have used it nearly every day since. Vitamix is one of the best kitchen tool investments (IMHO). Vitamix now sells a less expensive version, which I haven't personally tried but have heard amazing reviews!
Healthy (No Fruit) Gingerbread Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen cauliflower
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground clove
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 cup almond milk (or non-dairy milk)
- stevia to taste
- handful of ice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth
- Serve with an extra drizzle of molasses if you'd like
Notes
- You can find frozen cauliflower at most markets
- If you don't have a high speed blender try using frozen riced cauliflower (it's easier to break down than florets)
- I add a pinch of stevia to mine to add a hint of sweetness, but you can eliminate that entirely
- You may need more or less liquid depending on your thickness preference, 1 cup of almond milk makes a fairly thick smoothie
Nutrition
[clickToTweet tweet=”You won't believe what's in this healthy (no-fruit) gingerbread smoothie recipe!” quote=”You won't believe what's in this healthy (no-fruit) gingerbread smoothie recipe!”]
More Smoothies You Will Love:
Fresh Turmeric Smoothie Bowl
Beet, Pray, Love Smoothie Bowl
Ula says
Can you substitute molasses?
Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN says
Hi Ula, Yes, you could use 2 dates or a tbsp of maple syrup
Jacqui says
Can I use fresh cauliflower as it is currently in season and I have a bumper crop.
AbraPappa says
I wouldn’t use raw fresh cauliflower, that will definitely have more of a “taste” Lightly steamed should work, but frozen tends to have impart less of a taste and more of a creamy texture.
Michelle says
This was great, a very generous serve that actually fed 2 x adults and a tween. Next time I think I will omit the ice and possibly use a little less cauliflower. I found that I had to add a lot of almond milk to get the texture smooth enough to drink, so the above adjustments should hopefully balance that out.
To the ingredients I added 1tsp of stevia, 1tsp of Moringa Powder and some freshly ground cardamom seed, next time I will add more cardamom simply because I am freaky for it.
This smoothie was creamy and savoury, the dominant flavour was definitely the tahini. I could smell but not taste the cauliflower.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe Abra.
Nicole says
Do you think I could use coffee for some or all of the almond milk? I love gingerbread lattes so I’m wondering if I could get the same taste
AbraPappa says
Absolutely! I’ve done it, delish!
Neha Nagwekar says
Will this go well with regular milk or is it required to add non-dairy milk?
AbraPappa says
Definitely non-dairy milk, I’ve never tried it with regular milk but I don’t think it would be very good.
Candice says
The gingerbread smoothie sounds delicious!! I’m gonna try it. What would you suggest as a sub for tahini? I can’t do nuts or sesame seeds, but I can do all other seeds/pinenuts. Thanks!! 🙂
AbraPappa says
I would imagine that sunflower seed butter would work quite well, I haven’t tried it but it would provide that same nutty goodness that tahini does. Let me know how it works! (p.s. Hi Candice!!!)
Candice says
Thank you!! <3