Cranberry Smoothie

This Cranberry Smoothie is a delicious blend of frozen cranberries, banana, and warm spices, sweetened naturally with maple syrup. Ready in just five minutes, it’s a quick and nutritious treat perfect for breakfast or snack!

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Easy Cranberry Smoothie Recipe

Cranberries are the unsung heroes of winter fruits. While they often get their spotlight during holiday meals, they’re perfect for so much more this time of year. This cranberry smoothie is proof of that—combining tart cranberries with the sweetness of banana, a hint of spice, and the creaminess of Greek yogurt. Best of all, it comes together in just five minutes, making it an excellent choice for breakfast or a midday pick-me-up (especially during the holiday season). 

I always encourage people to grab an extra bag or two at the grocery store when the raw cranberries are in season and throw them in the freezer for when it isn’t cranberry season, then the next time you are looking for a refreshing smoothie you can make this one easily. 

This smoothie isn’t just delicious; it’s packed with health benefits including a great way to get your dietary fiber and protein. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins, which support urinary tract health and boost immunity. They’re also an excellent source of vitamin C. The frozen banana adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and a boost of potassium for heart and muscle health. The greek yogurt keeps you full with protein and supports gut health. Even the spices have health benefits, ginger and cardamom are known to aid in digestion and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

• Frozen Cranberries – Frozen cranberries work best for the consistency of the smoothie, you can also use fresh cranberries but you might want to add some ice cubes if you do.
• Frozen Banana – Frozen banana will give the smooth the perfect smooth and creamy consistency.
• Milk – Choose your favorite: dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. I personally use dairy milk.
• Ground Ginger – Just a pinch, a little bit is all you need so your don’t overpower the taste of the cranberries.
• Ground Cardamom – If you don’t have ground cardamom you can use a pinch of ground cinnamon instead.
• Vanilla Extract – To help complete the flavor of the smoothie.
• Maple Syrup – For sweetness, since cranberries are so tart I felt this needed a little extra sweetener to help round out the flavors. Make sure you are using pure maple syrup and not an imitation syrup. A good substitute would be agave nectar.
• Plain Greek Yogurt – To help with the creaminess and add a little extra protein.

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a blender. Start with the frozen cranberries and banana, followed by the milk, yogurt, spices, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.

Blend until smooth. Blend on high speed until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the texture is silky smooth.

Taste and adjust. Give the smoothie a quick taste—if you prefer it sweeter or spicier, add a touch more maple syrup or spices and blend again.

Serve and enjoy! Pour into a glass, garnish if you’d like, and savor each sip.

Note: If you don’t have frozen cranberries or a frozen banana, toss in a handful of ice cubes for a frosty texture.

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