This cherry cheesecake smoothie with Greek yogurt blends the creamy, tangy flavor of a favorite dessert into a bright fruit smoothie you can make in minutes. Frozen cherries bring the sweet-tart flavor, cream cheese gives it that cheesecake-style richness, banana adds body, and a small spoonful of cocoa makes it feel extra treat-worthy without turning it into a heavy dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen pitted cherries
- 3/4 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/2 ripe banana, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk of choice, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, optional
- 1/2 cup ice, optional for a thicker smoothie
How To Make It
Add the frozen cherries, Greek yogurt, banana, cream cheese, milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, and sweetener if using to a blender.
Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy, stopping once to scrape down the sides if the cream cheese sticks near the top.
Check the texture. For a thicker, spoonable smoothie, add the ice and blend again. For a thinner smoothie, splash in 1 to 3 tablespoons more milk until it pours easily.
Taste and adjust before serving. If your cherries are very tart, add a little extra honey or maple syrup. If you want a stronger cheesecake flavor, add another tablespoon of Greek yogurt or a tiny extra splash of vanilla.
Pour into a chilled glass and dust the top with a pinch of cocoa powder for a pretty cherry-chocolate finish.
Tips
Use frozen cherries for the best creamy texture and bold cherry flavor. If you only have fresh cherries, pit them first and add the optional ice to help thicken the smoothie.
Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly than a cold block straight from the refrigerator. If needed, microwave it for just a few seconds or let it sit on the counter while you gather the other ingredients.
Vanilla Greek yogurt will make this smoothie sweeter and more dessert-like, while plain Greek yogurt keeps it tangier. Both work well, so choose based on the flavor you like.
For a chocolate-cherry cheesecake twist, increase the cocoa powder to 2 teaspoons. For a fruitier version, skip the cocoa and add a few extra cherries.
Sip, smile, and enjoy this creamy cherry cheesecake smoothie!