If you have a sweet tooth but want something cool, creamy, and packed with flavor, you’re going to love this Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe. I absolutely love how this smoothie combines the rich, nutty goodness of peanut butter with the chocolatey indulgence of peanut butter cups—all blended into a silky, dreamy drink. Whether it’s a quick breakfast or a treat after a workout, this recipe hits all the right spots, and I can’t wait to share the full scoop with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Nutty and Chocolatey: The perfect combo of peanut butter and chocolate that’s irresistible.
- Super Quick to Make: Ready in less than 5 minutes, ideal for busy mornings or a speedy snack.
- Customizable to Your Taste: Swap milks or add extras like flaxseed for a nutritional boost.
- Creamy Yet Healthy: You get indulgence without the guilt, thanks to natural ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
- Frozen bananas: Using frozen bananas adds natural sweetness and thickens the smoothie without needing ice cream.
- Peanut butter: Choose a creamy or crunchy type depending on texture preference; natural peanut butter works great here.
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened is best, so you can control the sweetness in the smoothie.
- Protein powder: Adds extra staying power, especially post-workout—whey or plant-based both work well.
- Ground flaxseed or hemp hearts (optional): These add fiber and omega-3s without impacting flavor much.
- Ice cubes: For extra chill and thickness, especially if bananas aren’t fully frozen.
- Milk of choice: Whether almond, soy, dairy, or coconut milk, pick your favorite to customize creaminess and flavor.
- Dark chocolate peanut butter cups: The star of the show – rough chopped for that gooey chocolate and peanut surprise in each sip.
Variations
I love how flexible the Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe is—you can easily tweak it based on what you have on hand or your dietary needs. I often experiment with adding different boost ingredients or switching up the chocolate elements to keep it fresh for my family.
- Vegan Variation: Swap the protein powder for a plant-based one and use almond or coconut milk instead of dairy. I’ve made this version for friends who are vegan and they couldn’t tell the difference!
- Extra Chocolate: Double the cocoa powder or add a tablespoon of chocolate syrup for a fudgier effect—you’ll love it if you’re a chocolate fiend like me.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: Save a spoonful of peanut butter to drizzle on top after blending for an extra peanut-buttery finish that looks pretty too.
- Superfood Boost: Add a handful of spinach or a teaspoon of maca powder for added nutrients without changing the flavor much. I sneak this into smoothies for my kids—they don’t notice!
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Base Ingredients
Start by tossing frozen bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, flaxseed or hemp hearts (if using), ice cubes, and your milk of choice into a high-speed blender. Blend on low speed until everything comes together smoothly. If your blender struggles, pause and stir to help things along, but don’t overblend—you want a creamy, thick texture without it turning runny.
Step 2: Add the Peanut Butter Cups
Once the base is creamy and thick, add the roughly chopped dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Then pulse the blender just a couple of times—enough to mix the chunks into the smoothie without completely breaking them down. You’ll see little pockets of peanut butter and chocolate in every sip, which is truly the best part.
Step 3: Pour and Enjoy
Pour your beautiful smoothie into a glass and try not to drink it too fast—though I know it’s tempting! I’ve learned that savoring this drink slowly lets you appreciate all the layers of flavor and texture I love about this recipe.
Pro Tips for Making Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
- Use Frozen Bananas: I discovered this trick when I first made this smoothie—the frozen bananas not only chill the drink but also create a creamy texture that feels like dessert.
- Don’t Overblend the Peanut Butter Cups: Blending too much will melt the chunks and you lose that delightful surprise in every sip.
- Adjust Milk Amount for Thickness: Start with less milk; you can always add more to reach your favorite consistency.
- Choose Quality Peanut Butter Cups: Using better-quality chocolate cups makes a huge difference in flavor and richness—definitely avoid the generic supermarket brands if you can.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little cocoa powder or drizzle melted peanut butter on top as a garnish—it adds a fancy touch and amps up the flavor. Sometimes I toss a few mini chocolate chips or crushed peanuts on top for extra texture, which my family absolutely loves.
Side Dishes
This smoothie makes a great standalone treat, but if I’m serving it as breakfast, I like pairing it with whole-grain toast topped with banana slices or a handful of granola for added crunch. It also goes surprisingly well alongside a small bowl of fresh berries to brighten things up.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe in stemmed glasses with a chocolate rim (dip the glass rim in melted chocolate, then cocoa powder) and topped with whipped cream—it looks so indulgent and festive. Kids especially go wild when I add a fun striped paper straw or a sprinkle of edible glitter!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually recommend drinking this smoothie fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You might notice some separation, just give it a good stir or shake before enjoying again. I found it still tastes great even the next day!
Freezing
If you want to prep in advance, you can freeze the blended smoothie (without peanut butter cups). Just pour into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers and thaw in the fridge the day before. I’ve also frozen the smoothie cubes and blended them with fresh milk for a quick shake whenever cravings hit.
Reheating
This smoothie is best served cold, so reheating isn’t really recommended. But if you thaw frozen smoothie cubes, just let them sit a bit at room temp or add a splash of milk and blend again for creaminess.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh bananas instead of frozen in the Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe?
Using fresh bananas will work but the smoothie won’t be as thick or cold. To get that creamy, frosty texture I love, frozen bananas are best. If you only have fresh bananas, add ice cubes or chill the smoothie in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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What type of protein powder is recommended for this smoothie?
Any protein powder you like works well—whey, pea, soy, or rice protein. I usually use vanilla-flavored protein powder to add a touch of sweetness, but unflavored is fine too if you want pure peanut butter cup taste.
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Can I make this smoothie nut-free?
Since peanut butter is the star here, nut-free versions are challenging, but you can substitute sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter and use seed-based protein powders. Just note the flavor will be different, but still tasty!
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Why do I pulse the peanut butter cups instead of fully blending them?
Pulsing keeps chunks of the peanut butter cups intact, so you get little bursts of gooey chocolate and peanut butter in every sip. Fully blending them melts the chocolate and mixes it completely, losing that fun texture contrast.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe, I was blown away by how indulgent it felt without any complicated steps or ingredients. It’s become a go-to recipe in my house—my family literally goes crazy for it every time I make it. I’ve found it’s a fantastic way to satisfy dessert cravings while sneaking in some nutrition too. Honestly, you’re going to enjoy this recipe as much as I do, and once you try it, you might just find yourself making it again and again. So grab those frozen bananas and peanut butter cups, and let’s get blending!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This indulgent Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie combines the richness of peanut butter, the deep flavor of cocoa, and the creamy texture of frozen bananas for a delicious and satisfying treat. Enhanced with protein powder and optional ground flaxseed or hemp hearts, this smoothie is perfect for a quick breakfast or post-workout boost, with a delightful surprise of chopped peanut butter cups mixed in for a touch of decadent sweetness.
Ingredients
Smoothie Base
- 2 frozen bananas
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or hemp hearts (optional)
- Handful of ice cubes
- ½ cup milk of choice (soy, almond, dairy, coconut, etc.)
Mix-ins
- 2 dark chocolate peanut butter cups, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, add the frozen bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, ground flaxseed or hemp hearts (if using), ice cubes, and milk. Blend on low speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups: Toss in the roughly chopped dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Blend very briefly—just enough to mix them into the smoothie but not so much that they fully dissolve, keeping delightful chunks throughout the drink.
- Serve: Pour the smoothie into glasses. Enjoy slowly to savor the rich flavors and textures of this creamy, chocolatey treat.
Notes
- Use your preferred type of milk to customize flavor and texture—almond milk for nuttiness, coconut milk for richness, or dairy for creaminess.
- Adding ground flaxseed or hemp hearts boosts fiber and omega-3s but can be omitted if desired.
- For a thicker smoothie, reduce the milk slightly or add more frozen banana.
- Try different protein powder flavors for variation, like vanilla or chocolate.
- For a vegan version, ensure the protein powder and peanut butter cups are vegan-friendly.
- Adjust sweetness by adding a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie (approx. 12 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
