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Cozy gingerbread spice meets nutrition boost in this healthy gingerbread smoothie recipe. Though it tastes like Christmas gingerbread cookies, this smoothie is perfect any time of year. I can’t wait for you to give it a blend!
Gingerbread Smoothie Ingredients
With plant-based ingredients, you can enjoy a flavorful, holiday-inspired drink that’ll fuel your body while delivering all the classic gingerbread flavors you love. Here’s everything in this healthy holiday smoothie:
- Frozen cauliflower: This unique ingredient is a hidden gem in the smoothie world. It’s a veggie (win!) and when frozen, it has almost no taste (win, win!). It provides a creamy base to this gingerbread smoothie without overpowering it. I usually buy frozen cauliflower, yet you can buy fresh, blanch it and then freeze it yourself.
- Tahini: This protein-rich sesame seed paste is commonly found in savory dishes, yet has a mild, nutty taste that makes it perfect for a smoothie. You can also swap for cashew butter for this smoothie.
- Molasses: Molasses adds a rich sweetness that helps tie in the gingerbread spice, as well as offering a good selection of minerals like copper, selenium, magnesium, as well as an iron boost.
- Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that enhances the warm, spiced flavor of this gingerbread smoothie recipe. Look for pure maple syrup, typically found near honey or sweeteners in grocery stores, for the richest flavor and best quality.
- Gingerbread Spice Seasoning: Ground nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and fresh ginger root form the base of this classic spice blend, complemented by molasses for a rich, warm flavor. Look for fresh, aromatic spices in the baking aisle and choose firm, smooth ginger roots in the produce section for the best results.
- Cashew Milk: Creamy and neutral, cashew milk brings all the ingredients together in this recipe, providing a smooth base without overpowering the other flavors and is rich in healthy fats that promote heart health.
- Protein powder: This is optional, but a great way to add more protein in your diet and help you stay full longer. I like to use my homemade protein powder.
How to freeze cauliflower
Freezing cauliflower is easy: rinse, chop into florets, and flash-freeze on a baking sheet for an hour. Then store in a freezer-safe container. This prevents clumping and ensures a creamy blend for your gingerbread smoothie.
How To Make a Healthy Gingerbread Smoothie
When adapting a traditional cookie recipe into a smoothie, I have to get creative sometimes. This healthy holiday smoothie delivers flavor and texture with some nutrient-packed ingredients:
- Place your cauliflower, tahini, molasses, maple syrup, spices, and cashew milk into a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You want to achieve a texture that’s silky, with no lumps—just pure, velvety goodness. To achieve a lighter consistency, gradually add extra cashew milk while blending until it’s as smooth as you like or for a nut-free alternative, replace the cashew milk with oat milk or coconut milk.
- Serve it into your favorite holiday jar or festive glass. Top with a sprinkle of star anise or pomegranate seeds if you’re feeling fancy.
The History of Gingerbread
The first recorded recipe of homemade gingerbread traces back to 2400 BC Greece (that’s a LONG time ago!). Modern versions of gingerbread can be found in England, France, Holland, and Germany. The classic gingerbread spice contains: ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, along with molasses.
Common Questions
Gingerbread spice is a flavorful mix of aromatic spices that give gingerbread its signature warmth and coziness. It’s commonly used in holiday recipes like cookies, cakes, and smoothies to evoke a festive feel.
Gingerbread typically includes a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and fresh ginger. These spices combine to create the warm, slightly spiced flavor that defines classic gingerbread treats.
More Healthy Holiday Smoothies
If this gingerbread smoothie recipe is giving you some major holiday vibes, then you should check out some of my other healthy holiday smoothies! I just love embracing the season through food, flavors, and fun combinations.
Healthy Gingerbread Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup cauliflower frozen
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1-3 teaspoon maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 inch ginger root
- 1 cup cashew milk
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Blend cauliflower, tahini, molasses, maple syrup, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cashew milk until creamy and smoothie.
- Pour transfer blended smoothie to your fav holiday jar and enjoy!
Equipment
Video
Notes
- For a thinner consistency, add more cashew milk.
- If you want a creamy smoothie without nuts, opt for oat milk or coconut milk instead of cashew milk.
Delicious!! This gingerbread smoothie with some ingredients swapped was superb!! It hit the spot!! I used homemade almond butter instead of the tahini and almond milk for the cashew milk. I did only 1 Tblsp of Maple syrup and doubled the spices because that’s how I like it!!
DELICIOUS!!
I used 1 cup of cashew milk and it was very nice not too thick. Reminded me a bit of egg nog. Next time I’ll use less and get thicker.
Blended this today with almond milk and it was yum!!
The video shows cinnamon yet it’s not listed in the ingredients. How much cinnamon would you recommend? Thx! Can’t wait to try this!!
Elise
Hey Elise – Great question. Cinnamon is an optional ingredient, as the nutmeg is enough for some. I would just add cinnamon to taste. I just add a little dash into the blender. 🙂
would you add greens to this? Looks amazing!
We really enjoyed this smoothie. I doubled it and my hubby and I both had one for our Christmas morning breakfast. Thank you for sharing.
Any molasses substitutes? Don’t have any on hand. Thanks
I would do honey— a thick drizzle of honey on top would be pretty delicious. Or if you’re vegan, you can do extra maple syrup. You’ll def want the extra sweetener otherwise the cauliflower will show through more than I would like.
This looks so yummy, but I can’t have anything with sesame. Any suggestions on what would be a good replacement (and no almond or walnut)? Sunflower butter maybe?
Hey Megan— you could leave it out (and the gingerbread flavor would come through even stronger. Or you could do cashew butter… or sunflower butter (yet that’s pretty nutty). And if it does come out to nutty or “cauliflower-y” you can always add more molasses and maple syrup.
I blended this today and really liked it! The tahini threw a bit, but I like that it adds extra protein and fats so I call it a win. Thanks for pushing me to make healthier smoothies that are still fun and tasty!
So glad you gave it a shot and are learning all about making healthy-ish smoothies. You totally got this Theresa!
I was a little skeptical about the ingredient list on this at first, yet it is another winner!
So glad you went for it Erin! Woot! Woot!