Hello all! Today I am sharing (yet again) and updated oldie but goodie low carb-ish smoothie recipe. I don’t know how I collected so many smoothie recipes, but I did! Anyway, this NEWER version is PERFECT for when you need to clean out your fridge and need to put all those berries to use. But also… Ā this time I updated the recipe with a tasty VEGAN option and crunchy almond topping Ā YAY! I love it when I can do that. So sit back, do a little reading, eating, while I do a bit of gluten free crowd pleasing (corny rhyme included).
Ahemmm… healthy gluten free mini cheesecake recipe, Ā does that exist?Ā Well, it does in smoothie form! Ā A delicious and nutritious miniĀ cheesecake smoothie recipe that’s protein packed, Ā full of antioxidants, vegan friendly, and gasp… even has a way to make it lower carb!Ā Ā It’s basicallyĀ cake in a cup withĀ a whole lotta goodness!
Berries, cottage cheese, cashews, coconut milk, almonds…. these are all things left in my fridge before we headed out of town. Uh oh. These cannot be thrown away or go to waste. After all, they are practically SUPERFOOD! Ā Should I throw it all in my freezer (amongst the rest of my food I’m saving?) Should I turn it into a no churn ice cream? You get my dilemma, right? First world problems. Extra food. Extra good food.
Luckily my mother instilled a “resourcefulness” gene in me and I came up with on heck of a tasty solution. A protein rich smoothie sans protein powder. Oh my heavens, these Almond Berry Mini Cheesecake Smoothie Cups Ā are delicious! And yes, it does taste like cheesecake, but I will get to that in a minute.
First, let’s talk about the options that make it “cheesecake-y,” Cool?
- Option 1 –> Cottage cheese. We loveĀ an organic cultured brand. It’s one of our favorite cottage cheese brands that digests wellĀ due to the natural fermentation. Consider it the kefirĀ yogurt of cottage cheese! It’s tangy. It’s rich. It’s my favorite.
Looking to make this cheesecake smoothie recipe veganĀ or dairy free?Ā no prob! Ā Option 2 has that covered!
- Option 2 –>Ā Instead of cottage cheese you could use store bought vegan cream cheese or coconut cream mixed with cinnamon. This is one combo that makes for a sweet creamy “cheesy” taste without the dairy.
And you know what? Both versions of these Ā berry mini cheesecake smoothie cups have a good source of Ā protein, even without a protein powder. But don’t worry, you’re totally allowed to add more if needed. If you’re wanting the real deal low carb cheesecake, check out All Day I Dream About Food Low Carb Cranberry Cheesecake Pie!
p.s I made these into mini cheesecake smoothies because of how nutrient dense the ingredients are. In a VERY good way! This means a little goes a long way and provides you with great energy! Gotta love full fat coconut, Ā cottage cheese, and cashew cream goodness!
Berry Cheesecake Smoothies Cups (Dairy free option)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 smoothie 2 small cups 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Berry Mini Cheesecake Smoothies packed with protein, wholesome ingredients, & vegan option. A tasty breakfast or healthy dessert!
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen mixed berries
- 8 ounces chilled coconut milk or almond milk
- ½ cup organic cottage cheese (See note for dairy free option)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp creamy almond butter or cashew butter
- For thicker creamier smoothie – add in ¼ c chilled coconut cream, thickened portion.
- Toasted crushed nuts/almonds to top.
- Optional sweetener to taste – pitted dates, banana, sugar substitute, or honey.
- Optional mix ins -> plant based protein, collagen peptides, or vanilla whey protein
Instructions
- Place fruit and milk in a blender. Blend until creamy.
- Scoop in cottage cheese or vegan substitute and blend again.
- Add the vanilla, almond butter, and optional mix-ins. Blend until creamy and thick.
- Taste and adjust sweetness as desired
- Pour into dessert cups. Top with crushed toasted almonds, granola, and/or extra berries
Enjoy!
Notes
For extra thickness, place the canned coconut cream or coconut milk in the fridge overnight to harden.
Vegan option – Replace cottage cheese with plant based cream cheese or yogurt plus pinch of cinnamon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: snack, breakfast
- Method: blend
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 176mg
- Fat: 8.6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16.8g
- Fiber: 4.4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 3.8mg
Keywords: smoothies, low carb, protein smoothie, cheesecake smoothie, vegan
Alright, enough dairy or lack of dairy talk, go make these mini cheesecake smoothies! And while you are it, go buy yourself some more berries.
Enjoy some downtime during this holiday week! Sit back, relax, and berry smoothie it up!
What’s your favorite smoothie combo sans protein powder?
Cheers!
I’m in love! So happy there’s a guilt-free way to eat cheesecake!!
Lindsey, what a great combo! Berries and cheesecake into a smoothie?!? Brilliant!
they truly are a winning combo!
Yum! These are gorgeous – I bet they taste just as good as they look! Off to make them now! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
These are so beautiful! Love a protein-packed smoothie without having to add protein powder.
Wow Lindsay! These are really so beautiful!
Ahhh I hear you. This week is super weird. Like how is it all ready Wednesday? The Tuesday Holiday is really screwing me up. These smoothies are so dreamy. I mean, the color alone has me weak in the knees!
Love the color! And what recipe plugin are you using, It’s really cool?
I just switched to Simple Recipe Pro. They customized it! It’s been great!
I would love one right now!
I’ll deliver!
These are SO gorgeous!!!!!!
Thanks friend!
I say holidays should only be allowed to land on Mondays or Fridays. It’s so weird when they’re in the middle of the week!
Ya, i’m all messed up in my week! Haha
Those are beautiful Lindsay!!!! Hope you are having a wonderful 4th!!! xoxoxoxo
thank you! I’m on a plane now. haha. a quick 3 days trip to visit family and now back. Hope you are well! <3
It IS an awkward day! At least I’m on a plane. Going to Austin. Wheeee!
Love this smoothie though. And the mini concept… it’s basically a shot! š
I say we declare it Cotter Day. Also, I love the number 3, so that is extra cool for you š
haha i like that plan
I love adding cottage cheese to my smoothies!!! So creamy + full of protein! I’ve been trying to find the Nancy’s cottage cheese, but no luck lately!