Molasses in a frosty beverage? What will that taste like? The answer: think Ginger Snap cookie, minus the 'snap'. In my quest to create a few quick, easy and delicious recipes including the good-for-you ingredient molasses, I knew I wanted to create a yummy smoothie. Molasses-Acai just didn't sound right, but a frosty Vanilla, Ginger Snap Cookie flavored beverage sounded irresistible. The result is my Ginger Snap Sipper Smoothie. And I've created three variations to the basic recipe (spicy, silky and thick) so there is definitely something for everyone. Get my recipes...
Ginger Snap Cookie in a Cup. I was dying to experiment with a molasses blended beverage. I was a bit concerned that the molasses would be too pungent for a light beverage and I would only be able to add about a tsp. Not really enough to qualify as a molasses-themed smoothie. But I successfully added one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses to the recipe and it tastes delicious! Like a cookie, without the crumbs.
Liquid Base: Vanilla Chai. I had a feeling that one of my favorite smoothie liquid base's would be perfect for this smoothie. And I was right! The Bolthouse Farms brand Vanilla Chai Protein Smoothie beverage is perfect for this recipe. Really, it combines with the ginger, banana and molasses perfectly!
Alternative Liquids. If you don't have Bolthouse Farms on hand there is another option. Use a 1:1 ratio amount of a liquid chai tea concentrate (sweetened) and a vanilla full-fat soy milk. (Low fat soy milk would be too watery). Then if you need more 'sweet', add a bit of agave syrup or brown raw sugar to the blend. But try to find the Bolthouse blend. It is perfect for this recipe.
Image Note: The recipe shown in the images is recipe variation #1, the light and silky version. More of an iced beverage than a true thick smoothie (variation #2). Recipes below!
Ginger Snap Sipper Smoothie
Variation #1 light, refreshing, sweet and silky
10 oz. Vanilla Soy Chai beverage
*I like Bolthouse Farms, but you can use a 50/50 combo of vanilla soy milk and chai tea concentrate
2 teaspoon blackstrap molasses
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger powder
1 frozen banana
½ fresh banana, ripe/black-spotted
¾ cup ice
Blend until smooth
Garnish with cinnamon sprinkles and a fresh shaved ginger slice.
Ginger Snap Thick Smoothie
Variation #2: frosty, thick, sweet and creamy
9 oz. Vanilla Soy Chai beverage
*I like Bolthouse Farms, but you can use a 50/50 combo of vanilla soy milk and chai tea concentrate
1 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
2 teaspoon agave syrup
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger powder
1 frozen banana
1 fresh banana, ripe/black-spotted
1.5 cups ice
Blend until smooth
Garnish with cinnamon sprinkles and a fresh shaved ginger slice.
Boldly Spiced Ginger Snap Smoothie
Variation #3: Thick OR Thin, spicy and energizing!
Add the following to either of the above recipes variations:
¼ teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon nutmeg
additional teaspoon of ginger
additional teaspoon of cinnamon
Blend until smooth
Garnish with cinnamon and cayenne sprinkles and a fresh shaved ginger slice.
Note: You can even use fresh ginger in this smoothie. Just add 1 teaspoon fresh ground ginger to the blender. But still use the powder because it gives it that nice ginger snap cookie flavor.
