Vanilla Salted Date Caramel Smoothie

This Vanilla Salted Date Caramel Smoothie is creamy, packed with nutrients, and naturally sweetened with caramel-y Medjool dates. Enjoy as feel-good breakfast, post-workout fuel, or a sweet treat that loves you back! Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Grain Free, Naturally Sweetened.

Well hello lovely blog readers and date lovers! It's been a hot minute since I've written and created a date recipe that was blog-worthy but alas, we are BACK baby! Maybe it's the way the sun is still shining after 6pm or how the dormant flowers and trees are budding back to life or the fact the sun is in Aries?!, I'm unsure but what I AM sure about is the bangin' Vanilla Salted Date Caramel Smoothie. It's creamy, dreamy, naturally sweetened, and packed with nutrients to help you slay the day.💅 

Now, if you are no stranger to Medjool dates, you know how much this nutrient-dense fruit tastes like a delicious caramel--adding natural sweetness and a healthy dose of iron, potassium, vitamin B and more! A little pro-tip for ya to avoid chunky smoothies: add the pitted dates and coconut milk to the blender first and blend them together until the dates are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth--ensuring sweet, caramel-y goodness in each sip!

Made with six wholesome ingredients, this smoothie is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, grain-free, and refined sugar free. Perfect for expecting mama's, post-workout fuel, a feel-good breakfast, or when that sweet tooth comes knockin'!

Ingredients you'll need:

1. 1. 1. Joolies Organic Medjool Dates
         • We love using our pitted option or pit-free Ugglies to save a little bit of time, but whole work just as well! Just be sure to remove the pit😉 because your blender will definitely tell you if you didn't! Medjool dates provide a boost of natural energy and sweetness.
      2. Frozen Banana
         • Frozen is key here to getting the perfectly thick consistency while adding some natural sweetness and a good boost of potassium and vitamin B6, both help regulate hormones and energy levels!
      3. Vanilla Protein Powder
         • Not only does this pack in some protein, but it also really helps bring out the vanilla flavor in our smoothie!
      4. Peanut Butter
         • Adding a healthy fat helps create a thicker, creamier, and satiating smoothie! If peanut butter isn't your jam, feel free to swap with a nut butter that you do freak with.
      5. Coconut Milk
         • To keep it dairy free (plus I personally love the taste of coconut milk), I went with a coconut milk but feel free to swap with almond, oat milk or whatever you have on hand!
      6. Vanilla Extract + Sea Salt
         • These accentuate and help bring out the vanilla and caramel flavors we have going on.
      7. Optional: Granola
         • For topping, which is totally optional but it adds a delicious crunch into the smooth(ie) mix!