How to Make a Thick Smoothie Bowl

My favorite kind of smoothie bowl is a thick smoothie bowl! The kind that doesn’t melt and tastes like the most refreshing & delicious fruity ice cream! The weather is starting to warm up in Colorado and it’s glorious! To celebrate, I thought I’d share a few tips on how to make a thick smoothie bowl with one of my favorite chocolate cherry berry smoothie bowl recipes—popping with flavor and deliciousness! 🍒🫐

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How to Make a Thick Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Bowl

The cherry, berry, and chocolate flavor combo in this recipe is one of my favorites, so that’s what we’re making! I like to top of this smoothie bowl with strawberries, my Pan Toasted Coconut Granola, coconut flakes, and of course a little peanut butter on top as well.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Mixed Berries frozen
• 1 Tablespoon Honey or sweetener of choice if desired!
• ¼ Cup Plant Milk

Toppings

• Cherries
• Chocolate Chips
• Strawberries
• Granola
• Coconut Flakes

Step-By-Step

Add the 2 cups of berries to the blender or food processor, as well as ¼ cup of milk & honey. I like to use my Vitamix blender, but a food processor will work as well.

To blend the smoothie, start by turning the blender on low. Use the blender tamper to push the fruit down. If you don't have a tamper, you can turn off the blender here and there to scrape the frozen fruit down so it can puree. The Chocolate Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl is meant to have a thick, ice cream-like consistency, so you’ll want to start with just a ¼ cup of almond milk. You can slowly add more as needed too thin out the mixture, but I’d suggest sticking with the ¼ cup to start. This can take a few minutes longer but I think it makes all the difference!

Once the fruit starts to puree, turn up the speed of the blender. Be consistent & keep pushing the frozen fruit down until there are no more chunky pieces left. Once it’s all been puréed, add the thick & creamy smoothie to a bowl. Top it off with strawberries, cherries, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, nut butter, and granola. Serve & ENJOY!! 🍒

More Tips For a Thick & Creamy Smoothie

Creating a thick and ice-cream like smoothie texture is easy with frozen ingredients. Of course fresh fruit is better, so I like to buy fresh fruit and freeze it myself! If you’re dealing with a larger fruit like banana, mango, or pineapple, be sure to chop them into smaller pieces before freezing!

Using less liquid is key to a thick smoothie. If you have a good, powerful blender or food processor, it will be able to process hard, frozen ingredients with less liquid. Begin by adding a small amount of liquid and gradually increase as needed. But don’t just keep adding milk. Stick it out, and continue to use the tamper or spatula to push the frozen fruit down, allowing it to blend until all of the fruit is completely puréed. When picking the liquid for your smoothie bowl, opt for a plant milk over juice or water to add that extra creaminess! You can even reduce the amount of milk & replace with Greek yogurt or canned coconut milk for an extra creamy texture!

Fun & Healthy Smoothie Bowl Topping & Alternative Ideas

Smoothie bowls are not only delicious and nutritious but also a feast for the eyes! One of the best parts of enjoying a smoothie bowl is the opportunity to get creative with toppings. From crunchy nuts to sweet fruits, here are some fun and healthy toppings to take your smoothie bowl game to the next level.

Toppings

1. Fresh Fruit Slices: Add a burst of color and sweetness with fresh fruit slices like strawberries, bananas, kiwi, or mango. These fruits not only look beautiful but also provide essential vitamins and minerals.

2. Nut Butter Drizzle: A drizzle of almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, or homemade Nutella adds creaminess, delicious flavor, and some healthy fats to your bowl.

3. Crunchy Granola: Sprinkle some granola on top for a crunchy texture and added fiber.

4. Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. Sprinkle them on top of your smoothie bowl for a healthy crunch.

5. Shredded Coconut: Add a tropical twist with shredded coconut. It not only adds flavor but also provides healthy fats and fiber.

6. Cacao Nibs: For a chocolatey crunch, sprinkle some cacao nibs on top of your smoothie bowl. They are rich in antioxidants and add a satisfying texture.

7. Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds are a great source of plant-based protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Sprinkle them on top of your smoothie bowl for a nutritious boost.

8. Bee Pollen: Bee pollen is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It adds a sweet, floral flavor and a crunchy texture to your bowl.

10. Goji Berries: These bright red berries are packed with antioxidants and add a sweet and tangy flavor to your bowl. Plus, they look beautiful as a topping!

11. Protein Powder: Try adding your favorite protein powder for a protein boost.

Alternatives

All you need is three ingredients for the smoothie—fruit, milk, & sweetener. You can use any kind of frozen fruit—peaches, pineapples, strawberries, cherries, or bananas. Same with the milk, I used almond milk but you can use whatever milk you prefer. I used honey as the sweetener, but try using maple syrup, agave, date syrup, coconut sugar, or no sweetener at all.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Enjoy a Thick Smoothie Bowl!

I hope you absolutely love this smoothie bowl and this helped you learn how to make a thick and creamy smoothie bowl!

Have the sweetest day and tag me on Instagram when you make this recipe! @entirelyemmy 🤍