Calling all hot cocoa lovers! Our Frozen Hot Cocoa Smoothie is a chilly version of the classic seasonal beverage that’s packed with gut-friendly probiotics and satisfying protein for a healthy holiday treat unlike any other. To create this dreamy recipe, we whipped Lifeway Kefir, cocoa powder, dark chocolate chips, and a frozen banana and Medjool date for natural sweetness to a blender with crushed ice and cinnamon.
The combination of ingredients creates a rich, creamy blend that’s rich in prebiotic fiber, live probiotics, and protein. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate pack this smoothie with antioxidants, including gut-friendly polyphenols that support the growth of good bacteria just like Lifeway Kefir. Satisfying protein from our kefir helps keep you full and stabilize blood sugar levels, plus its creamy texture is unbeatable in smoothies like this one.
To serve this festive recipe, we melted dark chocolate chip for the rims of the glasses, then topped them with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint and tiny marshmallows before serving. Feel free to top your smoothie however you wish!
Tip: This recipe is a fun one to make for little ones, so feel free to double or triple the recipe if needed for additional servings. Enjoy!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 2-3 mins Servings: 1-2Ingredients
- 1 cup Lowfat Chocolate Kefir
- *or use Lowfat Plain or Vanilla Kefir if you prefer
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 tbsp. dark cocoa powder (Dutch-processed) or cacao powder
- 2 tbsp. dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- 1 Medjool date, pitted
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 - 1 cup crushed ice
- Optional toppings: melted dark chocolate for the rim of the glasses, crushed peppermint, and/or marshmallows
Directions
- Add the Lifeway Kefir, frozen banana, dark cocoa powder or cacao powder, dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs, pitted Medjool date, and cinnamon to a blender. Blend until thick and creamy, then add the 1/2 cup to 1 cup crushed ice, and blend again. It should have a very frosty consistency.
- Pour into 1-2 glasses, and serve. Melt dark chocolate chips to line the rims of the glasses, if desired, and add crushed peppermint and marshmallows for the topping if using. Enjoy!
