I adore fresh, juicy and insanely sweet pineapple with the kick-off of summer. it’s intense floral sweetness pairs perfectly with nourishing ingredients such as fresh banana, cashew butter, chewy dates and an added boost of protein. this pineapple upside down cake protein smoothie is the perfect refreshing summer treat- reminiscent of a nostalgic warm weather dessert.
inspiration:
many of my instagram and blog followers told me they have been loving my wedding cake protein smoothie and I wanted to do another “cake” rendition. I love the sweet caramel notes of pineapple upside down cake and thought this would be the perfect fit. chewy dates contribute to the caramelized caramel flavor and cashew butter adds cake-like flavor notes. and you can’t forget the fresh cherry on top!
smoothie ingredients:
hopefully, you’ll be able to find most of these ingredients lurking in your pantry and freezer.
- frozen pineapple chunks: the star of the show.
- fresh banana: adds creaminess and richness.
- vanilla protein powder: my current favorite is found here.
- collagen: for healthy hair, skin and nails as well as joint health.
- cashew butter: this healthy dose of fat adds richness and depth of flavor.
- nut milk: you can use your favorite- I love three trees brand the best in terms of cleaner ingredients and great taste. you can use almond milk, coconut milk or raw cow’s milk.
- flavorings: pure almond extract and salt amplify the flavors in this smoothie. Don’t skip these- they truly enhance all the ingredients.
- garnishes: more frozen pineapple chunks and stem-on cherries finish the smoothie.
looking for more sweet treats?
check out more of my signature smoothie flavors and cold & creamy treats:
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups frozen pineapple chunks plus more for garnish
- ½ medium banana
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop or 1 serving vanilla protein
- 1 scoop or 1 serving powdered collagen
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 Tablespoons cashew butter
- 2 pitted dates
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup ice
- stem on fresh or jarred cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a nutribullet or high-speed blender, combine all ingredients, (except garnish ingredients), and process until very smooth, 45-60 seconds.
- Add a splash of cold filtered water if you need to thin out mixture.
- Serve immediately garnished with a couple chunks of frozen pineapple and a stem-on cherry.
