As a kid, I loved creamsicles. Do you guys remember those? Far better than the common popsicle. That creamy vanilla centre coupled with an icy orange bite was dreamy — classic!
Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a creamsicle, and I haven’t seen any vegan ice cream verson. (anyone?… do they exist?)
I wanted to recreate that refreshing, creamy-orange flavor in a healthier goodie – that would be simple to make: Creamsicle Smoothie
The girls returned to school last week, and this Creamsicle Smoothie has been perfect after school when the days are still warm. It’s bright and naturally sweet, and entirely nourishing with whole foods ingredients.
If you’ve followed my blog for even a short while, you already know I’ve been a long-time fan of Vega powders. Their flavors are fabulous, and the ingredients simple and clean – with no dairy, sugar or soy, and non-gmo project verified. Vega Sport and Vega One are always in my pantry.
Vega One French Vanilla is a staple, and it works beautifully in this creamsicle smoothie, adding some background vanilla flavor along with all those extra plant-based vitamins and minerals! I like 1/2 scoop here, but you can use the full scoop, adjusting to taste.
For that creamy-orange base, I use a combination of fresh oranges along with non-dairy milk. We keep a few vegan milks on hand, including soy, cashew, and almond milks. Here I’ve used Silk unsweetened original almond milk. It’s one of our staple milks, again with no added sugar and non-gmo project verified.
I choose to use a whole orange in favor of orange juice. We rarely have orange juice on hand, but I always have oranges. If you’d prefer to use fresh orange juice, you can do so!
I also add a peeled lemon for extra brightness. I do this every day with my green smoothies, and I found it contributed a more vibrant flavor here too. So, don’t omit it!
Finally, I sneak in some raw carrots. Why not? Adds to the orange color of this Creamsicle Smoothie, and gives an added nutrient boost for the kids (or adults)! Using the raw carrots, you do need to give that smoothie a good blitz. A high-speed blender works best, but just ensure to puree very well if using a standard blender.
K, kids… hope you love this one! Please let me know if you try it, or what childhood treats you’d like to see reinvented smoothie-style.
Creamsicle Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 large orange outer peel cut away (can substitute 1/2 cup orange juice)
- 1 small or 1/2 large lemon outer peel cut away
- 1/2 cup sliced raw carrots
- 1 cup Silk Unsweetened Original Almond Milk see note
- 1/2 - 1 scoop Vega One French Vanilla see note
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple or frozen mango
- 1 cup frozen sliced banana see note
- optional: 1 tbsp raw cashew butter or raw almond butter
- optional: couple pinches vanilla bean powder
- 1/2 cup ice optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except ice, and starting with 1/2 cup of powder) to a blender. Puree until very smooth. Taste, and add extra powder if desired, and extra milk to thin if desired. Add ice to glasses and pour smoothies over ice if using. Serve. Makes just over 3 1/2 cups; makes 2 large smoothies or 3 smaller.
Notes
This post has been sponsored by Vega and Silk as part of their Build a Better Smoothie campaign. The opinions and text are all mine.
Brandie says
I loved creamsicles as a kid. Thank you for posting what my childhood was made of 🙂 Leftovers (haha who am I kidding), if you had any would be a nice treat frozen.
Shennae says
Wait do you chuck in an entire lemon sans skin?
Dreena says
yep, whenever I add a lemon to a smoothie, I just trim off the thick skin, leaving some of the white pith, then in it goes!
Alexis says
Loved this! Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Dreena says
So glad – thanks Alexis!
Kathy G says
What made you begin to use the Vega powder? I’m concerned about the processed nature of it. I have been searching a way to add more nutrients to my husbands diet, so I am just curious. Thanks!
Dreena says
I’ve been using Vega for many years – probably 10. They were one of the first vegan powders on the market, and they’ve always had quality ingredients. At first, I didn’t love the formulation in terms of flavor. But they improved it over time, and now the flavor (and varieties) are great. I especially love the Vega Sport powder now. I use the vanilla, and I think that flavor is a little lighter/brighter. When I started using it, it wasn’t to add protein to our diet, but rather to add a little more rounded nutrition to a green smoothie, and also for some flavor (the tropical tango was my favorite for a long time). They have a great nutritional profile, and good ingreidents. So, worth trying – you can get sample pouches at stores too. Good luck!
Trevor e says
Yum! This makes me get all fuzzy thinking about warm summer days, swimming pools, and creamsicle smoothies. If only summer could last just a little bit longer.
Dreena says
With you on that, Trevor … I’m a spring and summer girl, so let it last!
JoAnn Lakes says
Creamsicles were my favorite ice cream novelty. The sharp but sweet orange sherbet and the tongue coating vanilla ice cream, yum. I can’t wait to try this smoothie and I have all the ingredients already in the house! How ‘cool’ is that!
Dreena says
JoAnn, you described it far better than I did! (I’ll be in touch next time I post about ice cream) 🙂
patty says
This sounds delicious, I do remember those Creamsicle treats. I am going to try this
Dreena says
Great – hope you love it, Patty!