Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake (Printable)

Creamy chocolate and tart cherry blend with 18g protein, ready in 5 minutes for recovery or breakfast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
02 - 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
03 - 1/2 cup frozen pitted cherries
04 - 1 small banana, fresh or frozen
05 - 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

→ Sweetener & Extras

06 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
07 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

→ Ice

08 - 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional, for extra thickness)

# How To Make:

01 - Add the almond milk, chocolate protein powder, frozen cherries, banana, cocoa powder, and any optional sweetener or vanilla extract to a blender.
02 - Blend on high until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides if needed.
03 - Add ice cubes if a thicker texture is desired, and blend again until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour into a tall glass and serve right away for the best flavor and texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tartness of frozen cherries cuts through the richness of chocolate in a way that feels almost too indulgent for something healthy.
  • It comes together in under five minutes, which means no excuses on busy mornings.
  • Frozen cherries and banana do all the thickening work, so you never need to choke down a watery protein shake again.
02 -
  • Always put the liquid in first or you will end up with a chunky mess stuck at the bottom of the blender that no amount of blending can fix.
  • Frozen fruit is the real secret here because fresh cherries and banana will give you a thin, disappointing drink no matter how much ice you add.
  • Check your protein powder label if you have allergies since many contain hidden soy, dairy, or gluten that are not obvious from the front of the packaging.
03 -
  • Freeze your bananas in slices on a parchment lined tray before bagging them so they blend evenly instead of jamming up the blade in one solid chunk.
  • Taste the shake before adding sweetener because ripe bananas and cherries often provide all the sweetness you need.

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