Imagine sipping on a smoothie that tastes just like your favorite lemony summer pie, but is actually packed with wholesome ingredients and even hidden veggies! This Healthy Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie delivers exactly that – a bright, citrusy, creamy dream with hints of vanilla, naturally sweetened with dates, and made incredibly smooth with almonds and frozen cauliflower. I absolutely adore this Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie recipe; it’s my go-to for a refreshing, energizing breakfast or an invigorating afternoon pick-me-up. It feels like such a treat but is completely vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly! Perfect for starting a spring day off right!
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie
- Tastes Like Dessert, Eats Like Health Food: Seriously captures the essence of lemon cream pie in a nutritious smoothie format.
- Packed with Nutrients: Features healthy fats from almonds, fiber from dates and cauliflower, and Vitamin C from lemons.
- Vegan, Gluten-Free, Paleo: Caters to multiple dietary needs naturally.
- Ultra Creamy (Secret Ingredient!): Frozen riced cauliflower and almonds blend into an unbelievably smooth, dairy-free base.
- Quick & Easy: Blends up in minutes once your cauliflower is frozen.
Ingredients for Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need for this vibrant and healthy smoothie. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Smoothie Base
- Pitted Medjool dates (Sweetener/Fruit)
- Blanched and slivered almonds (Nuts/Creaminess)
- Zest of large lemon (Flavoring)
- Juice of large lemons (freshly squeezed) (Acid/Flavoring)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Ground turmeric (tiny pinch for color) (Spice)
- Frozen riced cauliflower (Vegetable/Creaminess) (See Tips!)
- Unsweetened plant-based milk (vanilla almond milk recommended) (Liquid)
- Ice cubes (Ice)
Optional Garnish
- Fresh lemon zest
- Coconut whipped cream
- Fresh mint sprig
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the bright, pure lemon taste here, but feel free to try these twists on the Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie:
- Add Protein: Blend in a scoop of vanilla plant-based protein powder for extra staying power.
- Different Nut: Use soaked raw cashews instead of slivered almonds for potentially even more creaminess.
- Boost the Greens: Add a small handful of baby spinach – the yellow turmeric and lemon flavor usually mask the green color and taste surprisingly well.
- Sweetness Adjustment: If you don’t have dates, use 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup or agave nectar to taste.
- Orange Dream: Swap the lemon juice and zest for orange juice and zest for an Orange Creamsicle vibe.
How to Make a Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie
Making this healthy Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie is incredibly easy with a good blender:
Prep Frozen Cauliflower (If Needed)
- Plan Ahead: If you can’t find store-bought frozen riced cauliflower, it’s easy to make! Pulse fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Alternatively, steam fresh riced cauliflower briefly, cool completely, then freeze. Frozen is key!
Combine and Blend
- In my high-speed blender, I add all the smoothie ingredients except the ice cubes: the pitted Medjool dates, slivered almonds, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, ground turmeric (just a pinch for color!), the essential frozen riced cauliflower, and 1 cup of the plant-based milk.
- I secure the lid and blend on high speed until everything is exceptionally smooth and creamy. This might take a minute or two, especially to fully break down the almonds. I scrape down the sides of the blender jar as needed.
- Once the base is perfectly smooth, I add 1 cup of ice cubes. I blend again until the ice is fully crushed and the smoothie is thick and frosty.
- I taste the smoothie. If I want it even colder and thicker (more like a “nice cream” or pie filling!), I add the second cup of ice cubes and blend again until smooth.
- I do a final taste test and adjust flavors if needed – perhaps another date if my lemons were very tart, or an extra squeeze of lemon if desired.
Pour and Serve
- Pour into glasses
- Garnish and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Healthy Smoothie
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie:
- Frozen Cauliflower is Key: Don’t skip freezing the riced cauliflower! This provides the thick, creamy texture without diluting flavor like plain ice can.
- High-Speed Blender Power: Essential for pulverizing the nuts, dates, and frozen cauliflower into a perfectly smooth, non-gritty consistency.
- Start Liquid Low: Begin with just 1 cup of milk to ensure a thick result. Add more only if needed for blending.
- Soak Dates if Needed: If your Medjool dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain well before blending. Remember to remove the pits!
- Taste and Adjust: Lemon tartness and date sweetness can vary. Taste before pouring and adjust lemon juice or sweetener (more dates/maple/etc.) if needed.
How to Serve
This Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie is best served immediately after blending! Enjoy it:
- As a Healthy Breakfast: A refreshing, energizing, and surprisingly filling start to the day.
- As a Filling Snack: Perfect for curbing cravings and providing a nutrient boost.
- As a Light Dessert: Tastes decadent enough for dessert but is made with wholesome ingredients.
- Garnished: Top with extra fresh lemon zest, a dollop of coconut whipped cream, or a sprig of fresh mint to make it extra fancy and fun!
Serve chilled in one large or two smaller glasses.
Make Ahead and Storage
Smoothies featuring frozen ingredients and avocado (in variations) are always best consumed immediately for optimal texture, flavor, and nutrient retention.
Prep Tip: Keep frozen riced cauliflower and pre-portioned almonds/dates in your freezer/pantry. This makes blending this delicious smoothie incredibly quick whenever you want it!
FAQs about Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie
- Can I taste the cauliflower in the smoothie?
- Honestly, no! When blended thoroughly with the strong flavors of lemon, vanilla, dates, and almonds, the frozen cauliflower adds incredible creaminess without a discernible vegetable taste. Using steamed-then-frozen cauliflower ensures the absolute mildest flavor.
- What if I don’t have almonds? Can I use almond butter?
- Soaked raw cashews are the best substitute for creaminess. You could try 2 tablespoons of smooth almond butter instead of whole almonds, but the texture might be slightly different, and it might not blend quite as thick.
- Is this recipe actually healthy?
- Yes! Compared to a traditional lemon cream pie, this smoothie is packed with nutrients. It uses whole fruit (dates) for sweetness, healthy fats from almonds, fiber from cauliflower and dates, and vitamins/antioxidants from lemon and turmeric. It’s a fantastic healthy treat!
Enjoy this surprisingly healthy, incredibly creamy, bright, and delicious Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie! It’s a perfect guilt-free taste of dessert.
Print
Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Breakfast/Snack, Dessert, Dessert/Snack, Smoothie, Drinks, Healthy
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie is the ultimate refreshing, energizing smoothie recipe that tastes just like your favorite lemony summer pie! It combines bright & citrusy flavor into a creamy smoothie with notes of vanilla and even contains a dose of hidden veggies (riced cauliflower)! Makes a perfect light breakfast or invigorating afternoon pick-me-up!
Ingredients
- 4 pitted Medjool dates (or more, to taste)
- 1/4 cup blanched and slivered almonds (or raw cashews)
- Zest of 1/2 a large lemon
- Juice of 2 large juicy lemons (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional, for color)
- 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower (see notes)
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (unsweetened vanilla almond milk recommended)
- 1–2 cups ice cubes (adjust for desired frostiness)
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh lemon zest
- Coconut whipped cream
- Fresh mint sprig
Instructions
- ombine Ingredients (except ice): Add the pitted Medjool dates, slivered almonds, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, ground turmeric (if using), frozen riced cauliflower, and plant-based milk to a high-speed blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid and blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add Ice: Add 1 cup of ice cubes to the blender. Blend again until no ice chunks remain and the smoothie is thick and frosty.
- Adjust Consistency & Flavor: Taste the smoothie. If a frostier consistency is desired, add up to another cup of ice and blend again. Taste again and adjust flavors if needed – add another date for more sweetness or a touch more lemon juice for tartness.
- Serve: Pour into one large or two smaller glasses depending on if this is a meal replacement or a filling snack. Garnish with fresh lemon zest and/or coconut whipped cream and a mint sprig, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Dates: Medjool dates are soft and blend well, providing natural sweetness. If using drier dates (like Deglet Noor), soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then drain before blending.
- Almonds: Blanched slivered almonds blend smoother. Raw cashews (soaked briefly if not using a high-speed blender) are a good substitute for extra creaminess.
- Lemon: Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Turmeric: Adds a hint of yellow color but is optional for flavor.
- Frozen Riced Cauliflower: This is the “hidden veggie” that adds creaminess and nutrients without affecting the flavor significantly when blended with strong flavors like lemon and vanilla. Use frozen for best texture.
- Milk: Any unsweetened plant-based milk works. Vanilla almond milk complements the flavors well.
- Consistency: Adjust the amount of ice and/or liquid to reach your preferred smoothie thickness.
- Storage: Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending.