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Almond Milk Smoothie

This almond milk smoothie is full of sweet flavor, fiber, and nutrients! This dairy free milk is perfect for blending…

This almond milk smoothie is full of sweet flavor, fiber, and nutrients! This dairy free milk is perfect for blending into fruity purees.

Want to make a dairy free smoothie recipe? Almond milk is perfect for vegan smoothies: it’s lightly creamy and brings fruity purees together into the ideal texture.

Here we’ve created a strawberry banana spin on our popular strawberry smoothie that is fully plant-based and stars almond milk! Here’s exactly how to make this berry almond milk smoothie: and a little more about using almond milk for blending up healthy drinks.

Why use almond milk in smoothies?

Almond milk is a dairy free, plant based milk made with almonds and water. It’s great for using in smoothies because it’s a dairy free liquid that helps to achieve a creamy texture.

Can you taste almond milk in smoothies? Not really! Most almond milk has a very neutral flavor, so it’s virtually imperceptible in a smoothie.
Does almond milk make smoothies thicker? No. Almond milk is a good liquid that helps smoothies blend, but its texture is closer to water than milk. By itself, it does not lend creaminess to a smoothie. But with other ingredients, it helps to form the right smoothie texture.

Ingredients in this almond milk smoothie

There are lots of different ways to make an almond milk smoothie. This one’s our favorite: you can’t go wrong with strawberry banana! Our kids absolutely love this smoothie, which makes us confident you will too. Here’s what you need to make this smoothie with almond milk:

Frozen strawberries: Frozen strawberries add just the right texture. They’re easy to find at the store and great to store for making on demand smoothies. Substitute any frozen fruit: blueberries, mangos, pineapple, mixed berries, etc.
Fresh banana: We always have bananas at our house, but we don’t always remember to freeze them. So we like using room temperature bananas in our smoothie recipes!
Almond milk: Use plain or unflavored almond milk. Vanilla also works, but we like using almond milk with no artificial flavors.
Ice: Ice adds just the right frozen texture to this fruity puree.

Almond milk smoothie with strawberries and banana in glass with straw

Amp up the protein

Here’s the thing: almond milk itself is not a great source of protein. If you’re drinking this almond milk smoothie to get a boost of protein, here’s what to do:

Almond butter: Mix in 1 tablespoon of almond butter to this smoothie (or up to 2 total). It does add an almond flavor and dulls the color of the smoothie a bit.
Protein powder: Add a scoop of favorite brand, plain or vanilla. We like this Orgain brand protein powder.
Greek yogurt: If you can eat it, yogurt adds quite a bit of protein! Try blending in ¼ cup to ½ cup, to taste.

Variations

You can use this almond milk smoothie recipe as a template for making other flavors! Here are a few ideas for how to swap out the 2 cups frozen strawberries:

Mango almond milk smoothie: Substitute frozen mango.
Pineapple almond milk smoothie: Substitute frozen pineapple.
Mixed berry almond milk smoothie: Substitute mixed berries.
Blueberry almond milk smoothie: Substitute frozen blueberries.

8 more almond milk smoothies

You can use almond milk in many smoothie recipes! If you don’t want to make the recipe below, here are a few more ideas! They’re all Vegan Smoothie Recipes.

Green Smoothie

This smoothie is an immunity-boosting drink starring green apple, spinach, and protein-packed nuts. Substitute water for almond milk!

Peanut Butter Smoothie

With just 3 ingredients, it’s got the perfect sweet flavor and creamy texture. It tastes like a healthy milkshake!

Pineapple Smoothie

This pineapple smoothie has just the right creamy texture and is bursting with tropical fruity flavor.

Fruit Smoothie

This recipe has a little bit of everything: berries, mango, apple and banana -- to make a refreshing drink. Substitute almond milk for the water!

Kale Smoothie

Here's a bright green smoothie with the most irresistible fruity flavor, a tasty way to eat your greens! Substitute water with almond milk.

Mango Smoothie

This mango smoothie has the perfect sweet flavor and creamy texture! We dare you not to take another sip.

Avocado Smoothie

This avocado smoothie is creamy and full of tropical flavor! It’s plant-based and loaded with nutrients. Substitute almond milk for water!

Blueberry Banana Smoothie

This blueberry banana smoothie is a favorite, with a sweet berry flavor and a luscious texture. Substitute the water with almond milk.

Almond milk is also great for…

Of course, you can use almond milk in so many different ways! Almond milk is also great for:

Granola. Eat with our Healthy Granola.
Pasta. You can make it into a creamy vegan pasta sauce! Try Creamy Almond Milk Pasta.
Pudding. Make Vegan Chocolate Pudding with almond milk.
Waffles. These Vegan Waffles are a great way to use this plant-based milk.
Muffins. Try these Vegan Banana Muffins.
Biscuits. These Best Vegan Biscuits are impossibly flaky.
Cookies. Creamy almond milk features in these Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies.

Dietary notes

This almond milk smoothie recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Easy Almond Milk Smoothie

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This almond milk smoothie is full of sweet flavor, fiber, and nutrients! This dairy free milk is perfect for blending into fruity purees.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 small smoothies
Category: Drink
Method: Blended
Cuisine: Smoothies
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

2 cups frozen strawberries
2 bananas (room temperature)
1/2 to 2/3 cup almond milk
8 ice cubes
1 tablespoon almond butter (optional)

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Instructions

Place all ingredients in a blender, breaking the bananas into pieces. Blend until smooth.
Serve immediately or store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 2 days.

More smoothie recipes

Want more healthy smoothie recipes? There are so many to try:

Greens & veggies: Kale, Celery, Carrot, Avocado, Green, Beet, Broccoli, or Spinach Smoothie You’ll forget you’re eating all those healthy ingredients. (Go to Veggie Smoothies.)
Berries: Strawberry, Mixed Berry, Fruit, Blueberry, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Blueberry, Strawberry Mango, or Blueberry Banana Smoothie Tart and full of sweet fruity flavor!
Creamy: Yogurt, Vanilla Protein, Chia Seed, Chocolate Banana or Peanut Butter Smoothie Lusciously creamy and packed with flavor.
Fruits: Banana, Apple, Acai Berry, Peach, Watermelon, Orange, Mango Pineapple, Mango Banana, or Pineapple Smoothie Juicy and lightly sweet: perfectly refreshing. (Go to Fruit Smoothies.)

Blackberry Pie Recipe

Blackberry Pie is one of the easiest pie recipes and perfect for summer berry season! You can make this pie with fresh or frozen berries and choose your topping: lattice, double crust or crumble topping. Why You’ll Love This Pie When I was young, my Aunt and Uncle lived in Washington. They’d come down every…

The post Blackberry Pie Recipe appeared first on Crazy for Crust.

Blackberry Pie is one of the easiest pie recipes and perfect for summer berry season! You can make this pie with fresh or frozen berries and choose your topping: lattice, double crust or crumble topping.

pie with lattice top with blackberries behind on wood surface

Why You’ll Love This Pie

When I was young, my Aunt and Uncle lived in Washington. They’d come down every August to visit and my aunt would make a two crust blackberry pie. My dad was practically salivating two full weeks beforehand in anticipation. Blackberry is his favorite. This recipe came from my aunt and I’ve been making it for so many years!

This pie can be made with fresh or frozen blackberries and you can use a double crust, lattice crust, or make a crumble topping. The juicy blackberry filling pops in your mouth – this is the perfect summer pie recipe!

One slice of blackberry pie with crumble topping on a plate

Ingredients in Blackberry Pie Filling

Blackberries: Use fresh or frozen, see below for how
Sugar: Granulated sugar works best. The ratio of sugar to filling is also very important: I use 5 cups of fruit to 2/3 cup of sugar. Any more sugar than that and you’re going to get a pie that doesn’t set properly.
Lemon Juice: For a fresh flavor to brighten the pie, you could also add some lemon zest.
Cinnamon: I add ground cinnamon to all my fruit pies – even peach pie.
Cornstarch: I make all my fruit/berry pies with the same basic recipe and it works. I find that a blackberry pie with cornstarch really is the way to go; flour doesn’t thicken the filling enough.
Homemade Pie Crust: I love my all butter pie crust recipe, but you can also use a store bought crust (Pillsbury is the best one I’ve found).

Fresh vs Frozen Blackberries

This is one of the things I love about making fruit pies with my recipe: you can use fresh or frozen fruit.

How to use fresh blackberries: If blackberries are in season, by all means, make this a fresh blackberry pie. To prepare your berries just wash and drain them and remove any stems.

How to use frozen blackberries: If you want to make a pie when fruit isn’t in season you can definitely use frozen blackberries to make this recipe. Simply thaw and drain frozen berries. Be sure to drain them very well so there is no extra liquid in your filling.

Overhead shot of blackberry pie with a crumble topping with one slice on a plate

How to make Blackberry Pie

It’s important to get the pie crust and topping ready before you make the pie filling so that once you toss the berries with the sugar you immediately place it in the pie, top, and bake it. Decide how you’re going to top your pie: Lattice Pie, Double Crust Pie, or Crumble Topped Pie.

1. If you’re making my pie dough recipe, decide if you need 2 crusts or just one. Roll out one disk of dough and place it in a 9-inch pie dish. Chill until ready to fill.

2. If using my crumble topping, make that recipe by placing butter, sugar, flour, and salt in a large bowl and using a pastry blender or two forks to work the mixture into crumbles.

How to make a lattice pie crust tutorial

3. If making a lattice top, roll out the second dough and cut 1-inch slices, or if using a double crust just roll it out and set aside.

4. Make the filling by tossing blackberries with cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice. Immediately place pie filling in prepared pie pan.

5. Top with the second crust and cut slits in the top crust for steam to escape, or design your lattice on top of the filling. Or just top with crumble.

6. Place pie on a baking sheet and cover with a pie crust shield or strips of aluminum foil. This ensures your edges don’t get over done.

One slice of blackberry pie with crumble topping and a scoop of ice cream on top on a plate

How to Serve Blackberry Pie

While it’s important to completely cool your pie before slicing so it has time to set, I like the pie warmed or at least room temperature. If you want to warm it, just heat in the microwave a few seconds.

My preferred way to serve fruit pie is with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

slice of blackberry pie with lattice crust on white plate on brown surface.

Expert Tips

I brush my lattice topped pie with egg wash to get it nice and golden.
Don’t mix your berries with the sugar and cornstarch until the crust and crumble are ready, or it will be too liquidy after baking.
This pie is a bit more liquidy than my other berry pies, but it firms up more as it sets.
Always bake your fruit pies on a cookie sheet in case they spill over.
Use a pie shield so your pie crust doesn’t get too brown.

FAQ

How do you know when a berry pie is done?

When the crust is golden on top and the filling is bubbly, then the pie is done.

Why is my blackberry so runny?

This pie recipe should produce a mostly set pie. If it’s too liquidy, then the following things may have happened: You cut it too soon. You should let it cool completely – and even chill it – before slicing. Is the pie a day or two old? The berries will weep the longer they sit. Did you drain your berries – especially frozen ones – completely? Letting the pie sit before baking will also make the pie wetter.

How do you thicken blackberry pie filling?

Recipes call for either cornstarch or flour, but I find cornstarch does a better job thickening fruit pies.

Blackberry Pie Recipe

This blackberry pie is one of my family favorite recipes. The lattice-top is really easy to do using the how-to photo tutorial! Or use a crumble topping on top instead!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1 20

Servings servings

Calories 102kcal

Author Dorothy Kern

Cost $10

Ingredients

For Lattice or Double Crust Pie

2 recipes all butter pie crust from a package or from scratch
1 egg for eggwash

For Crumble Topping Pie

1 recipe all butter pie crust from a package or from scratch
12 tablespoons (170g) cold unsalted butter , diced or grated
⅔ cup (133g) granulated sugar
1 ½ cups (186g) all-purpose flour
Pinch salt

For Blackberry Pie Filling

5 cups blackberries (about 24 ounces or 650g)
⅔ cup (133g) granulated sugar plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons (30g) cornstarch

Instructions

Lattice Pie Instructions

Roll out your two pie crusts into circles with approximately 9-10” diameter. Place one pie crust in your 9” pie plate (standard size, not deep dish). Chill both the pie plate and the rolled out pie crust for at least 30 minutes.
Remove the rolled out pie crust from the refrigerator. Slice it into strips, about 1/2-3/4” per strip. Chill for 10 more minutes.
Make filling (see below). Add to chilled pie crust.
Remove the sliced crust from the refrigerator. Starting at one edge of the pie, use every other strip from the cut slices and place them equally distant from each other on your pie (space them about the same distance as the width of each strip).
Starting at one end of the pie, fold back every other strip and place the shortest remaining strip perpendicular to the strips already on the pie. Lay the folded strips flat.
Now, working at the opposite end of the pie, fold back the strips you didn’t fold back the first time. Take the next smallest strip of crust and place it parallel to the strip you just put down. Re-lay the folded strips flat.
Continue this process until all the crust has been used. Crimp the edges of the pie as desired.
Brush the crust with eggwash and sprinkle sugar on top. Cover the edges with a pie shield. Bake on a cookie sheet (in case of spillover) for 10 minutes at 425°F then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F for an additional 35-45 minutes until the crust starts to turn golden brown. It won’t get fully golden but some parts will start to turn.
Preheat oven to 425°F.

Crumble Topped Pie Instructions

Roll out your pie crust into a circle with approximately 9-10” diameter. Place pie crust in a 9” pie plate (standard size, not deep dish). Chill for at least 30 minutes.
Add sugar, flour and salt for crumble into a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the cold diced or grated butter and use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until it forms small crumbs.
Remove chilled pie crust from the refrigerator. Add filling (see below). Top with crumble and cover the edges with a pie shield. Bake on an cookie sheet (in case of spillover) for 10 minutes at 425°F then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F for an additional 35-45 minutes until the crust starts to turn golden brown.

How to make Blackberry Pie Filling

Mix the berries, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Toss with your hands. Make sure your berries are thawed and drained before using them so your pie isn’t too liquidy.
Immediately place the filling into chilled pie crust, top and bake as directed above.
Cool completely before slicing. To help the pie not run, it’s best to chill the cooled pie for a few hours before cutting.
Serve with ice cream and/or whipped cream, for garnish.

Video

Notes

Frozen Berries: Thaw completely and drain of all excess moisture before using in pie.
Be sure to add the berries at the last minute before baking.
Always bake on a cookie sheet in case of spillover.
I like using a pie crust shield so the outer crust doesn’t get too brown.
See my entire post about making crumble topping for more details.

Nutrition

Other favorite fruit pies:

Tools for success:

Roul’Pat pie making silicone mat
Pie crust cutter
Pie Plate

The post Blackberry Pie Recipe appeared first on Crazy for Crust.

Funfetti Flag Cake

Dessert is my favorite thing about the 4th of July and this American Flag Cake is one of the best! It’s an easy cake (from scratch) topped with gorgeous berries to look like an American flag. Your guests are going to love it! Funfetti Flag Cake Recipe This American flag sheet cake recipe is one…

The post Funfetti Flag Cake appeared first on Crazy for Crust.

Dessert is my favorite thing about the 4th of July and this American Flag Cake is one of the best! It’s an easy cake (from scratch) topped with gorgeous berries to look like an American flag. Your guests are going to love it!

cake with white frosting and sliced strawberry and blueberries on top to make an American flag.

Funfetti Flag Cake Recipe

This American flag sheet cake recipe is one of my favorite Summer dessert recipes! The creative berry topping is so fun to put together for the Fourth of July. Not only does it look delicious with the vibrant berries and fluffy frosting, but it always turns out looking amazing!

To make this patriotic dessert you just need my from scratch cake and frosting, plus some strawberries and blueberries. I know I don’t have 13 stripes exactly, there just isn’t enough room on the 9×13 pan. If you really want to be accurate, slice the berries smaller. Make this recipe for any patriotic July party. Everyone will love the combination of funfetti and berries!

Ingredients Needed for the cake

Butter: I used unsalted butter that will be melted.
Sugar: I’m using granulated sugar for a fluffy cake. You’ll want confectioners’ sugar for the buttercream frosting.
Buttermilk: you can learn how to make buttermilk if you don’t have it. I’ve also used nondairy milk.
Sprinkles: rainbow jimmies sprinkles or use red white and blue for the 4th!
Berries: You can use any red and blue berry you like. I halved my strawberries for the red stripes and used blueberries for the stars. The white stripes are just the white buttercream showing through.

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!

Variations

I have made this cake recipe with non-dairy milk and gluten-free flour so you can easily substitute.
Feel free to use any cake mix for the cake in place of the homemade funffetti cake. White cake mix or yellow cake mix would be perfect with added sprinkles.
Any flavor cake actually works – you just need the white frosting for the topping. I think chocolate cake would be fantastic – or even zucchini cake!
Cream cheese frosting is another great choice in place of buttercream, or you can use whipped cream frosting.

How to make a Flag Cake

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Mix butter and sugar in a large bowl or use the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix in eggs one at a time, then mix in pure vanilla extract.
Add the buttermilk alternately with the dry ingredients, mixing just until the batter comes together.
Stir in sprinkles.
Bake until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs sticking to it.
Cool completely before frosting. Beat all frosting ingredients together until nice and creamy and smooth.

Expert Tips

Don’t have berries? Use food coloring to tint your frosting and use a 1M (star tip) to make a rosette flag. I did that for my Flag Cupcake Cake.
Love sprinkles and colored sugars? Use one or the other to decorate the top of this cake, like I decorated my Peanut Butter Flag Dip.
You can use all raspberries or all strawberries if you prefer.
Find Red, White, and Blue sprinkles for the funfetti to make it even more patriotic!

Storage

Store loosely covered for up to 2 days in the fridge. It’s best served the day it’s made so the berries don’t weep. You can freeze the cake frosted or unfrosted but don’t freeze it with the berries on top.

FAQs

How can I make flags for other countries?

Just use the fruit that coordinates with your country. For example, to make the Canadian flag you’d just want red fruit.

Easy Flag Cake Recipe

This easy Flag Cake is the perfect 4th of July dessert. It's a funfetti cake from scratch and decorated like an American flag!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 404kcal

Author Dorothy Kern

Cost 6

Ingredients

Cake:

2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup (226g) unsalted buter , melted
1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (237ml) buttermilk (see note)
1 cup rainbow sprinkles

Frosting:

1 cup (227g) unsalted butter , softened
4 cups (452g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
2-5 tablespoons (30-75ml ) heavy whipping cream
1 cup blueberries
2 cups strawberries or raspberries or combination

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Mix butter and sugar on medium speed in a large bowl using a hand or a stand mixer until smooth. Mix in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
Add the buttermilk alternately with the dry ingredients, mixing between each, starting and ending with the buttermilk, and mixing just until the batter comes together. Stir in sprinkles.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs sticking too it. Cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting: beat butter with a hand or a stand mixer until creamy. Slowly add in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until a crumbly mixture forms. Mix in vanilla and salt, then add 2 tablespoons heavy cream. Mix until smooth, adding more cream until you reach your desired consistency. Stir in sprinkles.
Frost cake with frosting and top berries in an American flag pattern. Store loosely covered for up to 2 days.
Also makes 24 cupcakes or two 8-inch rounds.

Video

Notes

To make your own buttermilk, add 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup then fill with milk to make one cup. Let sit for 5 minutes.
You can use a box mix for the cake for an even easier recipe – use any flavor cake mix and make it in a 9×13-inch pan.
Other options for frosting: cream cheese frosting, homemade whipped cream, or use whipped cream frosting or a can of frosting.
Don’t want to use fruit to top the cake? Use sprinkles!

Nutrition

Other 4th of July Recipes

Sweet Dips

Why use almond milk in smoothies?

Ingredients in this almond milk smoothie

Amp up the protein

Variations

8 more almond milk smoothies

Almond milk is also great for…

Dietary notes

Easy Almond Milk Smoothie

Ingredients

Instructions

More smoothie recipes

Why You’ll Love This Pie

Ingredients in Blackberry Pie Filling

Fresh vs Frozen Blackberries

How to make Blackberry Pie

How to Avoid a Soggy Bottom Pie

How to Serve Blackberry Pie

Expert Tips

Storage

FAQ

Blackberry Pie Recipe

Ingredients

For Lattice or Double Crust Pie

For Crumble Topping Pie

For Blackberry Pie Filling

Instructions

Lattice Pie Instructions

Crumble Topped Pie Instructions

How to make Blackberry Pie Filling

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Other favorite fruit pies:

Funfetti Flag Cake Recipe

Ingredients Needed for the cake

Variations

How to make a Flag Cake

Cake Baking Tips

How to decorate an American Flag Cake

Expert Tips

Storage

FAQs

Easy Flag Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Cake:

Frosting:

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition