Wake up to some drinkable sunshine with our refreshing and wholesome Creamsicle Smoothies.
On busy weekdays, smoothies are a go-to breakfast for many parents. Not only are they easy to make and deliciously satisfying, but they’re also highly customizable. You can make them with fresh or frozen fruit, vibrant greens, and all kinds of nutritious ingredients. They’re perfect for ensuring growing children get in some fruits and vegetables. My friend’s four-year-old daughter, for example, will not touch spinach, but if she adds it to a blueberry smoothie, it goes down undetected!
With the winter season at our doorstep, you may be looking for delicious ways to ensure the entire family gets in some vitamin C in the morning. Sure, you could pour them some orange juice or add an orange to their lunch, but a Creamsicle smoothie is so much more fun! Made with orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream, Creamsicles are a beloved childhood frozen treat with a history that goes back to 1937, when they were released by the Popsicle brand. Many of us (myself included) remember running to the ice cream truck to score one of these delightful pops. Now imagine capturing all that fun in a drinkable, wholesome form, and you’ve got this smoothie. With its zesty flavor and velvety texture, it’s a drink guaranteed to brighten everyone’s day.
Change it up
As mentioned, one of the best things about smoothies is the way you can make them with myriad ingredients. In this smoothie, you can swap out the oranges for four clementines or even try a combination of one orange and two limes. For a chocolate-orange flavor, add a teaspoon of cocoa powder or use a chocolate-flavored milk.
If you want to turn this smoothie into a more decadent drink that can also be served for dessert (for example, after a summer barbecue), replace a half cup of the almond-coconut milk with a half cup of vanilla or chocolate ice cream and crown it with whipped cream dusted with orange zest. If only serving adults, you could consider adding a shot of Cointreau to highlight those bright, citrusy notes.
How do I store leftovers?
Smoothies come together quickly and are best enjoyed soon after they’re made. That said, you can transfer the smoothie to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze the smoothie in a freezer-safe container for 3 months. Just make sure you leave enough room at the top for expansion.
Serving suggestions
If offering this smoothie for breakfast, you might want to consider adding a nutritious muffin on the side. You’ll love our Delicious Blueberry Muffins and these hearty Morning Glory Muffins. Looking for something savory instead? Try these smoothies alongside our tasty Bacon-Egg Bites or our golden Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole.
Creamsicle Smoothies
Ingredients Â
- 2 oranges
- 1/2 vanilla pod seeds scraped out
- 1 cup vanilla almond-coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Ice
InstructionsÂ
- Start by segmenting the oranges. Slice the top and bottom off each orange.
- Take your knife and starting at the top, slice off the pith and peel. Go all the way around until all of the peel is removed.
- Cut in between the membranes to get the flesh out. Add the orange pieces and vanilla seeds to a blender.
- Add the almond-coconut milk, coconut oil, and ice. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Does it have to have coconut oil at all?
Hi Susan – it doesn’t have to have coconut oil, but it adds a lovely hint of tropical flavor and some healthy fats. However, if you’d like to skip it, your smoothie will still taste delicious!