It’s an unspoken rule among us Californians that, when in Palm Springs, a date shake is a must. Many dates are grown out there in the desert, so someone sometimes got the genius idea of swirling dates and spices into a vanilla milkshake, and the rest is history.
But let’s be real; drinking a date shake regularly is not a very nutritious habit. It doesn’t mix well with trying to hang out poolside, so I created this Cinnamon Walnut Date Smoothie recipe. It’s a healthy snack with natural sweetness that works any time of day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
While a classic date shake is made with soaked dates, ice cream, and milk, this cinnamon date smoothie has healthier ingredients like nut milk, yogurt, spices, and dates.
I originally made it with walnut milk (and included the recipe here), but I like it just as much as any other nut milk or coconut milk. And, if you still want to go all out and date shake it. Well, then add your favorite ice cream (vanilla, coffee, and coconut are all great) instead of yogurt.
This date smoothie recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free but can easily be made vegan by using vegan yogurt.
Recipe Ingredients
These are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this recipe:
For The Walnut Milk:
- Walnut halvesÂ
- Cold waterÂ
- Honey or maple syrup
- Pure vanilla extract
- Kosher saltÂ
For The Date Shake Smoothie:
- Almond or walnut milk
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Dates
- Pure vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- IceÂ
How To Make This Recipe
These are the instructions that you’ll need to follow to make this recipe:
- Make The Walnut Milk: Place walnuts in a bowl and cover with water. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature to soak at least 1 hour to 12 hours. Drain walnuts and rinse thoroughly.
Combine walnuts, water, honey, vanilla, and salt in the carafe of a blender then blend on low until very smooth, at least 2 minutes. - Make The Date Shake Smoothie: Combine the walnut milk with the yogurt, dates, cinnamon, and vanilla in the carafe of a blender and blend on high until the dates are broken up and the mixture very smooth. Add ice and blend briefly on high until ice is just broken up.
Pour into chilled glasses, garnish with additional cinnamon, and serve immediately.
What Type Of Dates Are Best For Smoothies?
Dates make a great natural sweetener, but not all dates are created equal. Of the hundreds of dates grown around the world, the most common types grown in Palm Springs are Deglet Noor, Barhi, and Medjool dates. Some of the farms that are best known for their date shakes, like Shields, have a their own proprietary types. We like to use Medjool dates in this date smoothie recipe because they are especially sweet and soft. Â
Do Dates Need To Be Soaked?
Generally, yes, dates will benefit from being soaked before blending them in a high-speed blender. Even covering the dates in boiling water and letting them sit for 20 to 30 minutes will help them blend easier.Â
Do You Need To Use Homemade Nut Milk?
No! We really like the nutty flavor that a walnut milk brings but it’s not necessary. You could use another plant-based milk like almond milk or oat milk or, of course, use cow’s milk instead.
Variations On This Date Smoothie
- Add in 1 frozen banana instead of the ice cubes
- Add in 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats
- Add in 1 tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter
- Use plant-based yogurt to make it vegan
- Top with chia seeds for extra nutrition
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Cinnamon Walnut Date Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For The Walnut Milk:
- 1 cup walnut halves rinsed
- 3 cups cold water plus more for soaking the walnuts
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
For The Date Shake Smoothie:
- 1 cup chilled almond or walnut milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup roughly chopped pitted dates
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus more for optional garnish
- 1 cup ice about 8 cubes
Instructions
- Make The Walnut Milk: Place walnuts in a bowl and cover with water. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature to soak at least 1 hour to 12 hours (this helps remove some of the tannins and makes them blend smoother). Drain walnuts and rinse thoroughly.Combine walnuts, 3 cups water, honey, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla, and salt in the carafe of a blender then blend on low until very smooth, at least 2 minutes.TIP: You can strain the walnut milk through a fine mesh sieve to make it smoother. However, we like the texture of the milk as is. Milk will last 4 days when refrigerated in an airtight container. It may separate as it sits — simply give it a shake before using.
- Make The Date Shake Smoothie: Combine the 1 cup of walnut milk with the yogurt, dates, cinnamon, and remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla in the carafe of a blender and blend on high until the dates are broken up and the mixture very smooth, at least 1 minute. Add ice and blend briefly on high until ice is just broken up.Pour into chilled glasses, garnish with additional cinnamon (if desired), and serve immediately.
