This spiced plum smoothie is one of the older recipes on the blog and I've been making it so much again this fall that I felt like it needed a mini update -- starting with a mini ode to the star in it: the glorious plum :)
I'm always so eager for plum season. I want to say it's one of my favorite fruits, but then again I say that about every fruit, so I suppose suffice it to say I just really LOVE plums :) and am always excited to see the many varieties crop up at the shops in late summer / fall.
I love plums for a variety of reasons -- their balanced sweet & tart flavor, their amazing color {which makes the most delicious and beautiful pink nice creams when frozen btw}, their refreshing taste, great nutritional specs, and most importantly their pairing with warmer flavors -- something I naturally get drawn to more and more as summer ends.
Although I love playing around with a variety of flavors in general, when it comes to plums I almost always naturally gravitate towards the warmer spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. And then there's chocolate. Chocolate and plums has got to be my ultimate favorite pairing here. As evidenced by the generous topping of chocolate on the plum nice cream above ;)
But really, it's been raining chocolate and plums here and I have lots of recipes to share {like an amazing cheesecake and a delicious chocolate plum cake among other things...}, but so little time... And in between all the chocolate plum desserts, this spiced plum smoothie has been happening quite frequently as well -- one of my favorite ways to enjoy flavors I love without a lot of fuss or work is to put them in a smoothie {oldest trick in the book ;)}.
So if you've never tried plums with chocolate before, or if you're just looking for a quick new smoothie flavor, or if you're a chocolate plum lover -- this smoothie is for you. On a scale of 1-10 on my smoothie chart this is a topper! It's got every sort of comfort and goodness you need -- flavorful, smooth, silky and creamy, and it's got cacao in it ♥
And I highly recommend topping it with more chocolate, of course ;) I used cacao nibs, and my absolute favorite chocolate covered popped amaranth, but I also alternate with shaved chocolate, chopped chocolate, and dried mulberries... All add a wonderful touch to this smoothie.
PrintSpiced Chocolate Plum Smoothie
A flavorful, creamy dairy-free smoothie combining the sweetness of plums with the intensity of cacao and warm spices.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Smoothies
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Refreshment
Ingredients
- 3 ripe plums, pitted and rough chopped for blending (go for sweet plum varieties)
- ½ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (I used vanilla almond milk)
- 1-2 soft medjool dates, pitted
- a handful of ice
- 1 tsp ground chia seeds
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 -2 tablespoon (depending on how sweet your plums are) maple syrup (or agave, coconut nectar, etc.)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- a tiny pinch (less than an ⅛ of a tsp) of each of the following spices: ground cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and turmeric
- tiny dash of salt
- Optional: 1 ripe banana (adds thickness, volume, and sweetness -- especially good if your plums aren't sweet)
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in a blender until mixture is smooth. Top with your favorite toppings {if using} and enjoy!
Stacy says
This was pretty good! I'm not usually a huge fan of plums, but I've been trying to incorporate more than just bananas into my smoothies, and I really enjoyed the cacao and spices with the plum flavor. Thanks!!
★★★★★
Audrey says
So glad you liked it, Stacy! I agree it's a nice change up from banana smoothies :)
Dani @ Dani California Cooks says
Usually I'm not a huge fruit and chocolate mix fan! But I love the idea of adding cacao and dates...this just sounds so delicious and exotic! yum!
Audrey says
Not a fan of chocolate and fruits?! Wow. I'm polar opposite :) I initially used to add just a tiny dash of cacao to this btw just as a spice, but slowly the amount grew... It is a very pleasant combination.
Nadia's Healthy Kitchen says
Spiced plum smoothie sounds amazing! Perfect for this time of year. I'm really looking forward to autumn, love using comforting and warming flavours :D
Audrey says
Thanks Nadia. Autumn is officially here now. I love all the comforts and coziness it comes with <3
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I love chocolate, plums and smoothie too! And this spiced smoothie looks absolutely divine, Audrey. This photos are gorgeous.
Audrey says
Thanks very much, Anu! A ripe plum in a smoothie + chocolate is so good!
Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist says
I love these flavor combinations Audrey. I'd like to be in your kitchen when it is raining chocolate and plums :-) The bougainvillea petals in the background of your photos are so pretty!
Audrey says
Yay, my fellow bougainvillea lover! One of my favorite plants. Mine have been shedding their flowers the last few weeks and I can't let go of those gorgeous papery beauties so easily <3
Lucie @ WIN-WIN FOOD says
I'm so in love with the flavors in this smoothie Audrey! I'm a huge plum and I can eat a pound in one sitting but this smoothie sounds like a whole new level of plum deliciousness <3
★★★★★
Audrey says
Thanks Lucie. It is. And the little typo in your comment made me giggle -- somehow I pictured you as a giant plum :D . Ok, maybe I need to stop reading through comments so late at night... <3
The Vegan 8 says
I LOVE chocolate so much and what a great idea to pear it with plums Audrey! It gives such a pretty color! Love the simplicity of this smoothie as well, the perfect breakfast for sure...or afternoon snack :)
Audrey says
Thanks Brandi! Chocolate makes everything better ;)
Melissa @ Vegan Does It says
Plums are so delicious and definitely rank high up on the list of favorite fruits for me too. I've never thought to make a smoothie with them, but I think I should start. This looks great!
Audrey says
Plums are great in smoothies. I love making warm things with them too -- like jams, etc., but a smoothie is my go-to when there's no time to bake ;)
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
I'm always so lost during plum season, I have no clue what to do with them! I never ate them growing up, so I just think they're not really on my radar. Definitely never would've thought in a million years that to pair them with chocolate!?!? What would I do without you :)
Audrey says
Yay for new flavor discoveries. And that reminds me -- I saw some chocolate covered figs at the store today and for some reason thought of you -- maybe somehow the cross between your fig cake and those chocolate covered strawberries reminded me of your recipes of late. Anyhow, that's another delicious combo I can't wait to try out <3
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
If something that yummy reminds you of me, then I take that as a compliment :D hehe And I totally want to try that combo too now, YUM!
Ruby says
I always have an abundance of plums every summer - more than I know what to do with so im always on the look out for plum recipes that don't involve cake or jam or preserves So a big thank you for this one. It looks so delish x
Audrey says
Thanks Ruby! That's exactly where my plums end up when I have an overage as well :)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think if you personally make me a smoothie, I'll actually learn to love them ;)
Audrey says
It would be my pleasure. Especially if you make me some of your banana pancakes while I'm at it ;)
Sarah C says
This sounds really delicious! And your photography is gorgeous. Love the light. BTW, made the pie crust and it was great! I'll find it and give a 5 star!
Audrey says
Aw, thank you so much, Sarah. And I'm so happy you liked the pie crust! <3
Cece Leskova says
Is this the recipe you mentioned?? It looks amaaaazing!
Audrey says
Yep, that's the one :)
Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says
Hi Audrey - Thanks so much for sharing this with the Let's Get Real party.
Audrey says
Thank you, Gaye! Happy to share :)