Cherry Wowza Smoothie Bowl
Wowza! That’s what I said when I first tasted this frozen deliciousness. But that’s not where the name came from… prior to my plant-based adventure I used to take my son to a cute little mom and pop ice cream shop down in Florida where they had an ice cream named, you guessed it, Cherry Wowza. It was basically cherry vanilla ice cream with walnuts and chocolate chips folded in. It was my favorite, even though I knew that it wasn’t healthy. Not only the dairy factor, but those dyed maraschino cherries… oy.
I’ve been contemplating making a healthier, plant-based version of that ice cream for some time. And I probably will make an actual ice cream at some point. But for now—this smoothie bowl. WOWZA! It’s so good. Sweet, tart and hydrating with gobs of nutrients and flavor. You can’t go wrong with this for a satisfying dessert or nutritious breakfast.
Ingredients
~ smoothie
10 oz. frozen dark sweet cherries
4 frozen bananas
2 tsp pure vanilla powder or 1 tsp vanilla extract (see notes)
4 medjool dates, pitted
2 cups 100% cherry juice (see notes)
~ toppings
raw walnuts
cacao nibs
fresh cherries
Method
Blend all smoothie ingredients until smooth.
Transfer to bowls and decorate with the toppings.
Serve!
Makes 2 large bowls. Enjoy!
Notes
If you would prefer your smoothie to be less tart and creamier, substitute the cherry juice for a plant-based milk of your choice.
If you haven’t tried vanilla powder yet, you’re in for a treat! It’s not quite the same as vanilla bean seeds. It’s more of a whole food—I think they use the pod, too. So it’s not quite as intense as the vanilla beans but it adds some beautiful earthy vanilla notes to smoothies and desserts.
Have you invested in a good quality blender yet? I recommend VITAMIX. Seriously, they are amazing and the customer service is extraordinary. Are they expensive? YES. Are they worth every penny? Absolutely! I use mine every day, sometimes more than once! From smoothies, to soups and sauces, I could never be without my Vitamix. :)