Spiced Cacao Maca Shake

This vegan cacao maca shake has a thick and luscious texture and is spiced with a bit of ground cardamom and ginger. Frozen bananas and raspberries add sweetness while soaked walnuts add healthy omega-3s. Ready in just 5 minutes, you can enjoy it as a quick breakfast or a frosty treat anytime you like!

It’s dark and stormy as I sit down to write this post and I’m remembering that last week when I tried to photograph this recipe, the weather was very similar. At this moment the thunder is rumbling off in the distance and since it’s cool enough for my windows to be open, I can hear the distinct plit-plot sound of rain drops hitting leaves. It’s a soothing sound that will most likely leave me renewed and inspired by the time it leaves. And maybe, just maybe, the coolness the clouds bring will linger long enough to make it pleasant out.

So let’s get to this shake! I just realized that the title of this post looks like some crazy new dance move, but if you know me, then you’ll certainly know I’m referring to a frosty beverage. Maybe one of you dance savvy people can come up with the moves to go along with the title because anything I come up with would be best kept behind closed doors, haha!

I enjoyed an amazing vegan chai coconut milkshake at Fat Cat Creamery a few weeks ago that I haven’t been able to get it off my mind. I went down a rabbit hole of thoughts that started at milkshake and ended up at ‘raw spiced chocolate shake thingy’. Thus, this recipe was born! This cacao maca shake has a thick and luscious texture and is spiced with a bit of ground cardamom and ginger. Don’t skip out on the a handful of raspberries! They temper the sweetness from the bananas and add a subtle berry flavor.

Ingredients of Note

• M A C A — This high-altitude growing plant (and root) is a superfood that both nourishes and balances the body. Maca helps stabilize the hormonal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems as well as providing a natural source of sustainable energy without being a stimulant. In terms of flavor maca has a malty and slightly sweet taste.
• C A C A O — Rich in fiber one of the highest sources of magnesium, cacao is the purest form of what we call chocolate. In it’s raw form, cacao contains a good amount of theobromine (along with other phytochemicals, antioxidants, & amino acids) which mimics a caffeine buzz but without the crash. Cacao powder and cacao nibs have a deep chocolate flavor with notes of fruitiness and coffee.
• W A L N U T S — This lovely nut is high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Our bodies cannot make omega-3’s so we have to get them from other sources. Omega-3’s aid in reducing cholesterol, boosting the immune system, controlling viral infections, and improving brain function among other things. Soaking walnuts (as you’ll see below) allows them to release their phytic acid and make their nutrients more bio-available as well as making them more digestible in the body.

Spiced Cacao Maca Shake

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• Author: Courtney West
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 shake 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

This vegan cacao maca shake has a thick and luscious texture and is spiced with a bit of ground cardamom and ginger. Frozen bananas and raspberries add sweetness while soaked walnuts add healthy omega-3s. Ready in just 5 minutes, you can enjoy it as a quick breakfast or a frosty treat anytime you like!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 frozen bananas
• small handful of frozen raspberries
• large handful of soaked walnuts
• 1 tbsp cacao nibs
• 1 tbsp cacao powder (optional)
• 1 tsp maca powder
• small pinch of sea salt
• 1/4 tsp each of ground cardamom and ground ginger
• 3/4 cup coconut milk or almond milk, plus more if needed to thin out the shake
• bee pollen to garnish, optional

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Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to your blender. Blend on high until you have a nice, thick, consistency. If you want, you can add a sprinkle of bee pollen to the top but this is completely optional.

Makes one 16-ounce shake.

Notes

• A high speed blender is key to getting a nice, smooth consistency and in this case it will completely break up and incorporate the cacao nibs and walnuts into the shake.
• The optional cacao powder will give the shake a deeper chocolate flavor (and color) but is completely optional.
• To make soaked walnuts, simply put them in a bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak for at least 6 hours. When you’re ready to use them, drain and rinse!

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: drink