A delicious way to start the day; this chocolate and date smoothie looks more indulgent than it is. Richly flavoured with cocoa, it’s packed with slow release energy from oats.
Treat yourself to this tasty morning boost in place of your usual breakfast.
Sometimes, particularly when I’m in a hurry, I like to start the day with a smoothie. Drinking, rather than eating my breakfast is a great way of clawing back a few extra minutes in the morning rush.
This chocolate smoothie is thick, satisfying and delicious; it’s chocolate for breakfast made healthy and tasty too, like drinking a spiced chocolate oaty biscuit.
By using Cadbury Bournville Cocoa powder also I’m supporting the Cocoa Life campaign, which was set up to help cocoa farmers have a better life, and produce sustainable cocoa. Not a bad way to start the day – a delicious breakfast that does good for others!
How do you make this chocolate and date smoothie?
If you have a power blender, it’s a simple, one stage process. Assemble the ingredients. Your choice of milk, oats, cocoa powder, dates, ground flax seeds and a dollop of peanut butter.
Place them in the jug and blend to a smooth consistency.
If you don’t own a power blender, don’t worry! Simply soak all the ingredients together overnight, for at least 8 hours, and then the smoothie will easily blend with a regular stick or jug blender.
Five delicious variations on a chocolate and date smoothie
- Add a shot of coffee for a caffeine hit
- Make the smoothie with hot milk (heated in a microwave) for a warming morning drink
- Vary the nut butters: use almond, cashew or hazelnut butters for a different flavour
- Make it with milk kefir
- Add a few berries: blueberries, raspberries or strawberries for a sweet fruit taste
In my smoothie I’ve used Cadbury Bournville cocoa powder which carries the Cocoa Life logo. Cadbury is one of the UK’s best loved brands and was founded on principles of generosity and kindness. The Cocoa Life programme is the embodiment of this philanthropic ideal in today’s world.
I love the idea of doing what I can to support worthwhile causes; and if choosing a different chocolate can help make a difference, then I’m all for it!
Cocoa Life and Cadbury
Cocoa is an essential part of this smoothie, so without cocoa farmers I would be struggling. Cadbury are part of the Cocoa Life programme aimed at securing the future of cocoa supplies and equipping cocoa farmers with the means and opportunities to provide a better live for their families.
Challenges for Cocoa Farming
Cocoa farming is facing a challenging future, with ageing trees, loss of soil fertility and a changing climate all leading to low productivity and income for farmers.
This means farming suffers from poor investment and development, and a lack of enthusiasm for the young to take up cocoa farming. It’s a vicious circle.
How Cocoa Life Can Help
Cocoa Life is a programme aimed at generating a virtuous circle to break this trap, where supporting farmers helps improve their livelihood, leading to them protecting the landscape and environment, and transforming their communities, enabling their children to go to school, and encouraging them into cocoa farming as a job with a productive future.
The growing Cocoa Life programme is operating around the world, helping farmers ensure their future and the future of cocoa farming. I’m especially interested in reading about how the Cocoa Life is helping the next generation of cocoa farmers with their education. There’s more information online at https://www.cocoalife.org/.
All I have to do to support this really worthwhile program is to look out for the Cocoa Life sign when I buy chocolate. It’s on an increasing number of Cadbury products.
Chocolate and Date Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1 cup milk ((your choice))
- 4 dates
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 dsp peanut (or other nut) butter
Instructions
Instructions for power blenders.
- Add all ingredients to the jug of a power blender. Blend until smooth.
Instructions for stick and non-power blenders.
- Mix all ingredients together in a container and leave in the fridge overnight.
- Blitz with a stick blender in the morning, and enjoy!
Notes
- Add a shot of coffee for a caffeine hit
- Make the smoothie with hot milk (heated in a microwave) for a warming morning drink
- Vary the nut butters: use almond, cashew or hazelnut butters for some different flavours
- Make it with milk kefir or yogurt
- Add a few berries: blueberries, raspberries or strawberries for sweet fruit flavours
Recipe for Chocolate & Date Smoothie commissioned by Cadbury. All opinions are our own. Find out more about Cadbury here: https://www.cadbury.co.uk/
Choclette
This sounds like a wonderful breakfast and reminds me of the healthy breakfast smoothies I used to have as a teenager – only without the cocoa. This sounds much better. Think you are right, adding a banana would be good too.
Helen
The cocoa is a delicious addition.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Very clever! I may have to start waking up with these. Bring on the soy milk!
Helen
Such a good start to the day.
Brownieville Girl
Nice healthy start to the day – I must make these for my son, much easier than pancakes for breakfast!!
Helen
So easy to do, particularly with a power blender.
Chele
Now I would never have thought of adding dates and oats to a smoothie. You have opened my eyes to a whole new way of smoothie making so thank you ;0)
Helen
So good to add extra nutrition, and so easy when you have a power blender.
Danielle Wolter
Love the idea of adding a shot of coffee to this for the morning. Great way to start the day!
Helen
A shot of coffee would be so good.
kim
I love adding dates to my smoothies for a natural sweetener! Can’t wait to try your version!
Helen
Dates are perfect for adding sweetness.
Sara | Belly Rumbles
What a delicious chocolate and date smoothie. This would be a great way to start the day. I think I would be taking up your suggestion of adding a coffee shot. It would really perk it up.
Helen
Ideal to add your morning shot to your breakfast.
Nathan Wyper
This looks so healthy and delicious, Full of energy and a Great start to the day!
Helen
A perfect way to start the day, especially if you’re pushed for time.
Demeter
What a fantastic way to start the day! It’s Monday so your idea to add a shot of coffee is exactly what I need, lol!
Helen
Monday mornings do need that shot of coffee.
Kimberley S
I often enjoy smoothies for breakfast, so easy and can pack loads of good stuff in. A chocolate smoothie sounds amazing, without the guilt of actual chocolate.
Helen
Guilt free is always a good feeling.
Wendy M
Chocolate smoothie sounds wonderful. I love my power blender, so good for blending just about everything.
Helen
Love my power blender.
Brenda
My kids would love this. They have reached the age when breakfast is uncool and they cannot be bothered. They often have fruit smoothies, so this would be a delicious change.
Helen
Perfect for a breakfast alternative.
Yasmine Kirkwood
What a great idea. The dates are ideal for adding the sweetness without any refined sugar.
Helen
Dates are so good for natural sweetness.
Donna G
Nice to see a good incentive to buy more chocolate, if I know it is helping others I am more than happy to eat more.
Helen
It’s a fantastic incentive.
Paul W
It’s nice to see a smoothie recipe that isn’t just banana or kale. A tasty alternative.
Helen
Sometimes it’s nice to have a change.
Grace L
Yummy! I really like the idea of chocolate for breakfast. Great recipe.
Helen
Chocolate in a healthy form is ideal.
Amanda
I’m not a huge smoothie fan, but this may have changed my mind as it sounds delicious.
Helen
It’s a great alternative to fruit or vegetable smoothies, but still with good nutrition.