A healthy smoothie recipe inspired by Almond Joy candy bars! Made with light coconut milk, cocoa powder, and sweetened slightly with pitted Medjool dates and half of a frozen banana. The almond punch comes from the addition of natural almond butter!
Combine the smoothie ingredients, by order, in a large high-powered blender container, such as a Vitamix. Blend until very smoothie and no lumps are visible. Pour into a large rimmed glass.
Optional Garnishes: Place an equal small mixture of chopped toasted sliced almonds and toasted shredded coconut on a small plate. Melt good-quality dark chocolate, and allow it to cool slightly. Dip the rim of the glass into the chocolate lightly. Dip the chocolate rim into the almond-coconut mixture to rim the glass. If it is very runny, you can refrigerate the chocolate to let it set slightly–if not, pour in the smoothie and garnish with additional sliced almonds and shredded coconut (and coconut whipped cream, if using). Serve.
Tips for Success:
Make Ahead: To make coconut water ice cubes, pour coconut water into an ice tray and allow it to freeze completely before using.