Vanilla Almond Matcha and Chocolate Lava “Shake”.
How about a little shake for your Tuesday?
Of the greenest variety and filled with the healthiest of ingredients, and um – NO ADDED sugaarr! Whoa. I didn’t even know I could produce a shake so full of health, but yet so full of sweetness and chocolate.
It still amazes me every day what REAL foods can give us. I think it’s kind cool…but I do realize that sometimes you just need a doughnut….no shame.
Oh and happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
Promise I didn’t plan this green shake and those green nails just for today. They just happened. RIGHT.
And speaking of those green nails? UGH. Please remind me to never again attempt to paint my own nails and especially never that green color. Never. Ever. Again. I was trying to be all cool and match my nails to my drink just for the photos. But you know, every time I do this, I totally regret it. This is mostly because for the life of me I cannot paint my own nails. I just do not have the skills what so ever.
AND, the nail polish that you see there, well it dates back to my middle school years and none of those colors should ever be seen again! Neon + cheep polish + years of sitting in a bag in the sun = really horrible looking nails. I think it’s time I go cough up some money and buy some, nice, pretty (non-neon) new colors.
Oh well, I tried. The bottom line is really the shake. It’s kind of an outcast too with its murky shade of green. I’d prefer it to be a bit brighter, but you know, it is what it is. It seems that chocolate and green when slightly mixed create murky green yumminess.
I’ll take it.
Even though there is loads of healthy green in this shake, all you really taste is vanilla, chocolate and a slight hint of the matcha green tea. I am not crazy in love with the flavor of matcha so I was very pleased with the sweet taste of this shake.
Technically this is not even a shake because there is no ice cream. BUT, there is coconut cream, which maybe, just maybe might rival ice cream. It’s definitely just as thick and creamy as any real deal milk shake. Then I used frozen bananas and dates to sweeten it up, coconut cream and avocado keep it super thick & creamy and loads of vanilla keep it tasty. Trust me, you will love it!
And the chocolate lava? It’s really just a healthy version of my homemade fudge sauce that I make with cocoa, honey (use maple syrup if you are vegan), coconut (or almond milk) and dark chocolate. So simple. SO GOOD.
Oh, and if tomorrow rolls around and you find yourself in need of a little “pick me up”, this vanilla almond matcha and chocolate lava “shake” would be just perfect. Of course that’s only if you plan on having A LOT of fun today. Just sayin.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Vanilla Almond Matcha and Chocolate Lava "Shake".
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond, chocolate, lava, matcha, milkshake, shake, vanilla
Of the greenest variety and filled with the healthiest of ingredients, and um - NO ADDED sugaarr! Whoa. I didn't even know I could produce a shake so full of health, but yet so full of sweetness and chocolate.
Ingredients
Chocolate Lava
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 2 tablespoons honey use maple syrup for vegans
- 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 ounces dark chocolate make sure it is vegan if needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Shake
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk refrigerated overnight
- 1/2-3/4 cup cold almond milk or coconut water*
- 1-2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder (depending on your taste I used 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract add a teaspoon of vanilla beans if you have them
- 2 soft medjool dates pitted
- 1/2 small ripe avocado peeled + pitted
- 1 very ripe banana frozen if possible, or 1/2 large banana
- 1 small handful baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- pinch of salt
- cocoa nibs for topping (optional)
Instructions
Chocolate Lava
-
Stir together cocoa powder, honey, coconut milk and salt in small sauce pan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Cook mixture at a low boil, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, add remaining chocolate and vanilla and stir until smooth. Any leftover sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container. Reheat over low heat, stirring or in the microwave on intervals.
Shake
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Take the can of coconut milk out of the fridge. Open the can and scoop the coconut cream from the top. Measure out about a 1/2 cup of cream and save and leftover cream for another use. Also save the coconut water left in the can for the shake or use it for another smoothie!).
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Add the coconut cream, 1/2 cup almond milk (or the reserved coconut water), matcha (start with 1 tablespoon and work your way up), vanilla, dates, avocado, banana, spinach, almond butter and a pinch of salt to a high powered blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of almond milk if needed to thin.
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To serve, drizzle the warm chocolate into 2 glasses. Add the matcha shake and top with cocoa nibs if desired.
Recipe Notes
*You can either use almond milk or the coconut water left in the can of coconut milk. **Matcha can be purchased at health food stores (I believe Whole Foods carries it) or on [Amazon | http://www.amazon.com/CCnature-Organic-Japan-Matcha-Powder/dp/B00IMBSGNW/ref=sr_1_3?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1426466746&sr=1-3&keywords=matcha+green+tea+powder]. I bought this one from [Amazon | http://www.amazon.com/CCnature-Organic-Japan-Matcha-Powder/dp/B00IMBSGNW/ref=sr_1_3?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1426466746&sr=1-3&keywords=matcha+green+tea+powder].
Swirlin’.
Mmm this sounds so creamy and delicious, especially with the coconut and avocado! And I love that this has chocolate lava (:
Are you the owner of gorgeous brown locks in the first photo, Tieghan? Beauty! The shake looks delicious too. 🙂
This shake rivals any neon green “Shamrock” shake…I’ve yet to try Match..I’ll have to give it a try…and your hair in the first photo is gorgeous!!!
I love this shake, Tieghan! I especially love the no added sugar part. Totally going to try this!
It was so cool to see a glimps of you in the picture, you usually hide behind the camera 🙂 You are so tiny! How do you manage that with all that gorgeous food?! And don’ t be so hard on yourself, those nais are very appropriate! By the way, if you are looking for an upgrade, try Sally Hansen nail polish , it’s awesome. Since I am always in the kitchen, my nail polish lasts only a day or so… But Sally’s stick with you 🙂
I still need to become friends with matcha, but it’s on my to-do list. Great idea with chocolate! I need to try it on my kids
This shakes looks delicious! I just posted a matcha recipe today, too :). Matcha is the new mint, right? Now I want to paint my nails green…
What a fun and delicious sounding treat! (and healthy too!)
This looks so delicious! Who really needs green beer with something as festive as this to sip on?! and these photos look fantastic!
Regardless if I have too much fun today or not I need this shake in my life. I am obsessed with match and the lava part jut put it over the edge!
This looks delicious! I love shakes/smoothies and this is like a mixture of the two. I’ll have to find some matcha though. Another great one Tieghan!
Yum! This looks perfect 🙂
Love this healthy twist on a chocolate shake! I’m actually not a matcha person, but this still looks amazing! And I love the flowers in the background, so gorgeous!
This shake sounds amazing! I mean, chocolate lava? Yes please!!
And, on a side note, your hair looks so pretty! Need more photos of gorgeous you on here 🙂
This shake looks DELICIOUS! I just purchased some matcha powder and am excited to do some experimenting with it and make tasty things like this.
PS – I cannot paint my nails either. Not for the life of me.
Sounds delicious, and love the pics on this post! The nails are perfectly appropriate. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I can’t wait to make this! I love the nail colour too – so fun:)
Delicious shake Tieghan! And gorgeous locks!
Oh my golly. I want to go make this right now! Looks delicious and a perfect Paddy’s Day treat! Thanks for the inspiration:)
I know it’s the complete opposite of neon green nail polish but I’m obsessed with this Essie’s “Sandy Beach” right now. OR I’ve heard that OPI’s Dulce de Lece is pretty amazing as well.
Oh, this looks good. Can’t wait to try it. And your nails look great! It’s about time you showed up (at least partially) in your photos. So I can totally hook you up with some grest nail products if you’re interested 🙂
I definitely want to try this!
Wow this looks amazing! Your Photos Are stunning aswell- i love how your nail polish match the drink!
How funny! I was looking at that first pic with your green nails and thinking, “oh, hey- I see what she did there…” I thought it was just perfect! Ha!
Love your writing style, by the way. I always like reading bloggers with a good voice for a little inspiration!
This shake looks craaaazy good! Holy matcha!
Oh, chocolate lava! How fun is this shake, and I love that it’s so good for you too – that’s just an added bonus!
everyone is so crazy about matcha!!! I need to try it
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Tieghan did you really mean 1 TBSP of Vanilla? That seems like a lot for just two shakes. This looks amazing though and I plan on making it tomorrow.
Sounds perfect
hello! Lovely recipe!
What brand of Matcha do you use?
Thanks you.
Amy
Thank for sharing.
It is very useful.
Thank for sharing.
Looks really yummy.
This looks so good! I love matcha and I”m always looking for new ways to use it!
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Looks good, but honey and maple syrup both have sugar in them (glucose and fructose in the former, sucrose in the latter).. I think what you mean is, “no refined sugar.” Which is great! I’m all for less dependence on the sugar bowl. But let’s not kid ourselves about alternative sweeteners.
Hi! Yes, no processed sugar in this, just natural forms of it! I hope you try this recipe! xTieghan
I am seriously addicted to sugar so I’ve been looking for healthy ways to curb my sweet tooth.
Well, we have a winner with this shake. It’s got enough sweetness from the honey and banana. It’s super filling and so pretty! Thanks for sharing.