When I went to the store the other day, raspberries were $0.99/half pint. Ninety-nine cents!
I scooped the packages by the armful, raising only one or two (or seven) eyebrows, and came home with high hopes. Shall I make a raspberry soufflé? A dark chocolate layer cake sandwiching a tart raspberry coulis? Maybe even just a raspberry and cacao raw “cheesecake” (so modest, the inspiration in my dream world)?
….aaaand then the Association for Food Journalists conference started, and I was busy–booked up to my eyeballs–for seemingly five days straight. No time for raspberry soufflés, no time even for a lonely coulis! So instead, I took to offsetting the guaranteed indulgence slated by the conference (focused primarily around private events with the most well-known and talented chefs in the city–poor me, no?) in the form of a rich, dessert-inspired smoothie.
Chocolate. Raspberry. Maca. Whoa, mama.
I gushed quite a lot about maca a little while ago when I shared my strawberry goji maca smoothie, and none of that has changed. Maca is still an amazing little root, an ancient Peruvian superfood touting powerful sustained energy and even a potentially stronger libido and overall reproductive health system. It’s aromatic yet subtle.. and I’m a massive fan.
The nuttiness of maca pairs well so perfectly with raw cacao powder, and the ripe raspberries of late summer are a natural match for the rich chocolatey cacao. The smoothie tastes more like a milkshake, with its utter richness, but treats your body like a shopping spree at the farmer’s market. I even throw in a handful of spinach on most occasions, an extra little boost of green that feels damn good (and relieves your dessert-after-lunch habit of just a little guilt).
You’ll love this smoothie because it tastes like an indulgence but works like the most rigorous health food. You’ll love the benefits from the maca and the cacao powder and the tart raspberries, absolutely laden with antioxidants. It’s a great treat after dinner if you’re trying to cut back on the daily desserts and a filling and quick breakfast that tastes like a chocolate truffle. In the words of Ina Garten, how bad could that really be?
Chocolate Raspberry Maca Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana , peeled
- 2 dates
- 2/3 cup ripe raspberries
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 5 ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon maca powder
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
Instructions
-
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth.
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Cheryl, this looks amazing. I’m tempted to rush home over my lunch break just to make a batch of this deliciousness.
Do it! You’ll be glad you did 🙂 Thanks Stephanie!
After reading this, I just want to sing, Maca, Maca, Maca! I also can’t wait to try this delicious looking concoction. Great photos as always!
Chocolate and raspberries!? Oh this is good! I’ve not tried mica, though. Does it have a strong flavor? I’ll put it on my list! What happened to the rest of all those raspberries? Are they in the freezer? I think a raspberry soufflé would be a good addition to 40 Aprons! Just sayin… 😉
Maca is sort of strong but not tremendously. I personally love it. And I literally just made this smoothie like four days in a row, even threw in some spinach leaves to counterbalance the massive amounts of rich food I was eating!
This looks like it will be my new favorite smoothie!
Ooh I hope so! 🙂
Oh this sounds so delicious! I am all for dessert inspired smoothies! Raspberries and chocolate – love that combination! Yet, I’ve never tried maca powder. I’ll have to put that ingredient on my list! Subtle yet superfood power? I’ll take it! Thanks, Cheryl! Hope you’re rested up from your 5 day conference! Will you be posting about it?
Yes! I definitely am, once I sort through all my crazy photos. I got some really awesome ones but honestly.. not too many of actual food! Just interesting people. But yes, dessert smoothies! You would love maca, I think, Traci – it’s like a nutty vanilla sort of power powder. Yum! Perfect with chocolate and other nutty flavors
Wow this smoothie is delicious! I usually make smoothies for my breakfast so I definitely need to try out your chocolate, raspberry and maca smoothies. Love it!
You’ll love it – it’s almost like dessert! Thanks Thalia! 🙂
Another choco smoothie variety which is my favorite. I’m inspired to add maca on our recipe. Yum!
Do it! I bet you’ll love it. Thanks Philip 🙂
I’m always interested in new superfoods. Never tried maca before, but I might have to go out and buy some now! Love chocolate smoothies and this one looks so creamy and indulgent! yum!
I think you’ll love it! It really is a *super*food. Thanks Emily! 🙂