Calling all chocolate peanut butter cup fans! This is the smoothie for you! I swear (I know, I know, it’s rude to do that…) this recipe will stop you in your tracks.

Natural sweetness from Medjool dates pumps up the rich, chocolate flavor of the organic cocoa powder in Mama Love Chocolate Protein, and peanut butter gives the blend the irresistible creaminess you’d find inside of a two-cup pack of candy.

If you’ve never had Medjool dates, this recipe is the perfect way to show off their sweetening power. Medjool dates are a great source of natural sugar, and, unlike the processed white stuff, it’s low on the glycemic index, so it won’t cause an intense blood sugar spike (1, 2).

As if their natural sugars weren’t sweet enough to win you over, Medjool dates also pack an antioxidant punch. They contain carotenoids and phenolic acids, two powerful kinds of antioxidants that are shown to protect against free radical damage, fight cancer, and support heart health (3, 4, 5).

Mild-flavored, sweet, and healthy, Medjool dates are simply perfect for smoothies—just don’t forget to remove the pits before tossing them in the blender. (I’ve made that mistake, Mama, and I don’t want you to repeat it!)

If you’re concerned about the calories or fat in this recipe, you can slash them by holding back on the peanut butter. But… you’d also lose out on that delicious nutty flavor and the extra protein kick, so… totally up to you.  

This blends up into a thick, creamy smoothie—almost too thick for a straw, so you may want to thin it out with a splash of cold water. Or top off your glass with ice cubes and allow them to melt as you sip. 

You could also turn this recipe into a dreamy dessert by pouring the smoothie into popsicle molds and freezing until solid, about 4 hours.

This recipe was originally created for Mama Love Chocolate Protein, which is no longer in production. Looking for a great alternative? For a similar taste and consistency, try using a high-quality, plant-based protein powder made from yellow peas, like Naked Pea Chocolate Pea Protein Powder. 

Ingredients

• 1 serving Plant-based Chocolate Protein Powder
• 1 cup Almond Milk, unsweetened
• 2 Medjool Dates, pits removed
• 2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Add ice cubes for a thicker smoothie, or more almond milk or water if you prefer a thinner one. Serve cold. Makes 1 serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 1

Calories 496 

	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Total Fat	22.9g	29%
Saturated Fat	2.6g	12%
Cholesterol	0g	0%
Sodium	347mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate	48g	17%
Dietary Fiber	10.6g	37%
Total Sugars	1g
Protein	29g
Calcium	139mg	11%
Iron	3mg	30%
Potassium	686mg	15%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Sources: 

1. Alkaabi, Juma M et al. “Glycemic indices of five varieties of dates in healthy and diabetic subjects.” Nutrition journal 10 59. 28 May. 2011, doi:10.1186/1475-2891-10-59
2. Rock, Wasseem et al. “Effects of date (Phoenix dactylifera L., Medjool or Hallawi Variety) consumption by healthy subjects on serum glucose and lipid levels and on serum oxidative status: a pilot study.” Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 57,17 (2009): 8010-7. doi:10.1021/jf901559a
3. Al-Farsi, Mohamed Ali, and Chang Yong Lee. “Nutritional and functional properties of dates: a review.” Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 48,10 (2008): 877-87. doi:10.1080/10408390701724264
4. Rahmani, Arshad H et al. “Therapeutic effects of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) in the prevention of diseases via modulation of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-tumour activity.” International journal of clinical and experimental medicine 7,3 483-91. 15 Mar. 2014
5. Shahdadi, F et al. “Study of phenolic compound and antioxidant activity of date fruit as a function of ripening stages and drying process.” Journal of food science and technology 52,3 (2015): 1814-9. doi:10.1007/s13197-013-1177-6