Thick & creamy mint chocolate milkshakes without all the calories and fat.
It’s been far too long since I shared a milkshake/smoothie with you. And in true Sally form, this milkshake is “skinny.”
I’d much rather eat my mint chocolate calories than drink them.
I made this cool, creamy milkshake after coming home from a run. I haven’t been running as much lately because it’s hard for me to breathe the cold, windy air. I’ve been embracing my yoga mat and 20-minute exercise DVDs. (Even though she sorta annoys me, I love this one.) Oh, and my camera + lens weigh a hefty 7 lbs, so consider that my arm workout every day.
By the way, do you like my running shoes?
I typically run in Brooks, but how can you NOT want to run in these? They’re Asics Gel-Noosa TRI™ 8. And obnoxiously cool.
Anyway, let’s talk about healthy mint chocolate milkshakes. Because I know that’s really why you’re here.
If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I love to make milkshakes and smoothies from frozen bananas. Frozen bananas are typically the creamy base for all of my healthy blended drinks. Buy bananas, let them rot on your counter, peel them, slice them, freeze them. These mint chocolate milkshakes begin with 3 small very ripe, frozen bananas.
I know what you’re thinking – MINT and BANANA? Yes. But please listen (read?)when I say (type?) that the riper your bananas are, the less your milkshakes/smoothies will taste like banana. So let your bananas brown. You want dark brown speckled peels.
Along with frozen bananas, you will need yogurt, milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a touch of peppermint extract. There is never any of that weird “healthy” stuff in my recipes. Just pure, good-for-you ingredients that are convenient and easy.
There is a lot of wiggle room with these ingredients:
- The milk can be any milk you like. I do not like regular milk (I know, I’m strange), so I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
- The yogurt can be any yogurt you like. I use non-fat Greek yogurt because of its protein content. You will need 6 0z of it.
- Start with 2 heaping Tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. Add more for a richer chocolate flavor if you’d like.
- Start with 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract. This stuff is potent. Add more if you’d like.
- Feel free to add chocolate protein powder if you want. I do not like protein powder, so I never use it.
- Feel free to add a handful of spinach if desired.
Decorate your shake! For the milkshake’s decor, I chopped up a dark chocolate bar and sprinkled pieces on top. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and good things. Plus, it’s healthy for the mind and soul. A few sprigs of fresh mint make the milkshakes look extra fancy… as does serving them in wine glasses.
I like to pretend I’m fancy as I work.
I don’t calculate calories for things made from such good-for-you ingredients, so please look up the nutrition information if you’re concerned. I do know, however, that these milkshakes are overflowing with chocolate flavor, mint flavor, and protein from the Greek yogurt. Keeps my muscles AND my tastebuds happy.
Slurping down this decadent-tasting milkshake after a solid workout felt like vacation. Even though I was about to sit down to work. Mind games.
If you love mint chocolate, do yourself a favor and try these bad boys! My recipe will make two large milkshakes. Halve the recipe for one or make it all and save the rest in the refrigerator for later, which is exactly what I did. Or umm, drink the whole thing. Because that’s ok too.
Since the milkshakes are sneakily “skinny” you can save room for sugar-laden mint cheesecake brownies or frosting that tastes like ice cream.
Life’s all about balance, after all. 
Colorful straws c/o Sweets and Treats Boutique.
Follow me on Instagram and tag #sallysbakingaddiction so I can see all the SBA recipes you make. ♥
Thick & creamy mint chocolate milkshakes without all the calories and fat. Only 5 simple ingredients! Feel free to add chocolate protein powder and/or a handful of spinach if desired. Smoothie is gluten free as written.
Ingredients:
- 3 small frozen very ripe bananas, previously peeled & sliced
- 2 heaping Tablespoons (12g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (120ml) unsweetened almond milk or regular milk*
- 6 oz (181g) nonfat Greek yogurt*
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
Directions:
Add all of the ingredients to the blender, in the order listed, and blend until thick, creamy, and smooth - about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
Taste and add more peppermint extract if needed. Add more cocoa powder for a stronger chocolate taste. Add more milk to thin it out if desired.
Additional Notes:
*The milk can be any milk you like: skim, 1%, 2%, almond, soy, coconut. I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
*The yogurt can be any yogurt you like: vanilla Greek yogurt, plain Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, vanilla yogurt. Non-fat or low fat.
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