7 Healthy Holiday Cookie Smoothies

‘Tis the season … for holiday cookies! Yes, the struggle is real right now, because these tempting treats are literally everywhere!

Image via http://thefitfoodiemama.com

Don’t even think about trying to attend a holiday party (or even walking into the grocery store) without immediately encountering these little devils. Come December and they are unavoidable.

Although they may continuously surround you, it doesn’t mean that you should be indulging in every holiday treat that you see. Sometimes, it just truly isn’t worth it.

Imagine how significantly the pounds would stack up if you gave in to every gingerbread man craving that struck?!

This is why you should exercise culinary caution and consider all of your dessert-esque options. Biting into these baked delights isn’t the only way you can enjoy them — you can sip healthful smoothies inspired by these treats, too. Check out some of our favorite holiday cookie-flavored concoctions below.

Cookies ‘n’ Cream Smoothie

Image via http://thefitfoodiemama.com

Ingredients:

•1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
•5 oz unsweetened vanilla yogurt
•2 Tbsp almond butter
•1 scoop Cookies ‘N Creme protein powder (I use Quest Nutrition)
•1 chocolate sandwich cookie, crumbled (optional)

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients except cookie into blender and blend until smooth
2. Pour into large glass or mason jar and top with cookie crumbles

Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie

Ingredients:

•1 cup ice cubes
•1 cup unsweetened vanilla (or chocolate) almond milk
•2 Tbsp chocolate nut butter
•2-3 drops peppermint oil
•1 30-gram scoop chocolate protein powder
•1 candy cane, crushed
•1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth
2. Pour into 8oz cup or mason jar, drizzle melted chocolate on, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes

Cinnamon Roll Smoothie

Ingredients:

•1 frozen banana
•1 cup almond milk
•¼ cup old fashioned oats
•1 Tbsp brown sugar (or substitute of choice, like date or coconut sugar)
•1 tsp cinnamon
•½ cup dairy-free yogurt

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth

S’mores Smoothie

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Ingredients:

•1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
•3 Tbsp chocolate nut butter
•1 scoop chocolate protein powder
•3 Tbsp crushed graham crackers + more for topping
•Toasted marshmallow (to garnish)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
2. Pour into glass and top with additional graham crackers and toasted marshmallow

Ginger Snap Smoothie

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Ingredients:

•1.5 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
•3/4 cup frozen mashed sweet potato
•1/4 cup yogurt
•1 scoop vanilla protein powder
•1 1/2 tsp black strap molasses
•1/2 tsp ginger powder
•1/4 tsp all spice
•1/4 tsp nutmeg
•Non-dairy whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients together except whipped topping
2. Pour into a large mason jar and pipe whipped cream on top, then drizzle more black strap molasses, if desired

Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie

Ingredients:

•1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
•1 frozen (peeled) banana
•1 cup unsweetened almond milk
•1-2 Tbsp honey (to taste)
•1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
•1/2 tsp vanilla extract
•1/4 tsp ground ginger
•Pinch of nutmeg
•Pinch of salt
•(Optional: 1/4 cup raisins)

Directions:

1. Add oats to blender, and pulse until finely ground
2. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until blended and smooth

Cookie Dough Smoothie

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Ingredients:

•1.5 cups non-dairy milk of choice
•2 Tbsp nut butter
•1/8 tsp sea salt
•1 tsp vanilla powder (can sub 2 tsp vanilla extract)
•4 Tbsp maple syrup
•6 Tbsp raw cacao nibs (can sub dark chocolate chips or shavings if desired)

Directions:

1. Pour 3/4 cup milk into ice cube tray; freeze 6 hours, or until completely solid. Blend remaining 3/4 cup liquid milk with nut butter, vanilla, sea salt and maple syrup until very smooth.
2. Add milk ice cubes and blend until just smooth and no ice cube chunks remain (don’t over blend, or the ice will begin to melt, and you’ll lose that delicious milkshake consistency).
3. Pulse in cacao nibs until they’re evenly distributed and flecked throughout milkshake, but not completely incorporated (recipe serves two).