Cherry Collagen Bliss

Experience a vibrant explosion of flavor with this Cherry Collagen Bliss. This recipe offers a silky, ruby-red texture that satisfies your sweet cravings while supporting your glow from within. It balances tartness and creamy notes for a refreshing, nutrient-dense treat.

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Collagen Bliss

• Supports radiant skin and joint health with bioavailable collagen.
• Delivers a powerful antioxidant punch from fresh, seasonal cherries.
• Requires only five minutes and a blender for instant gratification.
• Adapts easily to vegan lifestyles with simple plant-based swaps.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To create the perfect Cherry Collagen Bliss, quality remains the most important factor. I always recommend visiting your local farmers’ market to find the deepest, darkest cherries available. These contain the highest concentration of anthocyanins, which give the recipe its signature color and anti-inflammatory properties. If cherries are out of season, high-quality frozen organic cherries work beautifully and often provide an even creamier texture once blended.

• Frozen Dark Sweet Cherries: Use two full cups of pitted cherries. These provide the icy base and the intense fruity heart of the recipe.
• Collagen Peptides: Include one scoop of high-quality, grass-fed collagen or a premium vegan collagen builder to support your natural glow.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: Add half a cup of creamy nut milk. I prefer homemade almond milk to reduce packaging waste and avoid unnecessary thickeners.
• Almond Butter: One tablespoon of raw almond butter introduces healthy fats and a subtle nuttiness that balances the acidity of the fruit.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of real vanilla bean paste or extract elevates the flavor profile, making it taste like a gourmet dessert.
• Chia Seeds: One teaspoon adds a boost of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, helping to thicken the Cherry Collagen Bliss into a satisfying consistency.
• Pinch of Sea Salt: A tiny amount of high-quality sea salt actually enhances the natural sweetness of the cherries without adding extra sugar.

Substitutions & Variations

You can easily customize this Cherry Collagen Bliss to suit your dietary needs or pantry availability. If you prefer a nut-free version, simply swap the almond milk for oat milk and use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter. For those seeking a deeper flavor, try adding a tablespoon of raw cacao powder; the combination of chocolate and cherry creates a decadent “Black Forest” variation that feels incredibly indulgent.

If you find the cherries too tart, a small date or a teaspoon of maple syrup can soften the edges. Furthermore, you can replace the chia seeds with ground flaxseeds if you prefer a smoother texture without the tiny seed crunch. Always remember to choose organic and fair-trade ingredients whenever possible to keep your kitchen eco-friendly and kind to the planet.

If you’re looking to enhance your Cherry Collagen Bliss experience, try making these Mini Cherry Cheesecake Bites. They offer a delightful contrast of flavors that will elevate your dessert game.

Equipment You’ll Need

Creating professional-quality smoothies at home doesn’t require a commercial kitchen, but a few specific tools make the process much smoother. First and foremost, a high-speed blender is your best friend for achieving that velvet-like consistency. If you use a standard blender, you might need to pulse the mixture longer or add a splash more liquid to help the blades move.

I also recommend using a sturdy silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender jar, ensuring every drop of the Cherry Collagen Bliss ends up in your glass. For serving, reach for a beautiful reclaimed glass jar or a ceramic bowl.

Avoid plastic straws; instead, use a glass or stainless steel straw to enjoy your drink sustainably. Finally, keep a set of stainless steel measuring spoons nearby to ensure your collagen and almond butter ratios remain perfect every time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Fruit: If you use fresh cherries, pit them carefully. Save the stems for a homemade herbal tea infusion to minimize waste. For the best texture, freeze your pitted cherries for at least four hours before blending.
2. Layer the Liquid: Pour the unsweetened almond milk into the base of your blender. Adding the liquid first prevents the frozen fruit from getting stuck at the bottom and protects your blender’s motor.
3. Add the Creamy Elements: Spoon in the almond butter and the vanilla extract. These fats will help emulsify the mixture, creating a stable and luscious mouthfeel.
4. Incorporate the Wellness Boost: Add your scoop of collagen powder and the chia seeds. Placing these on top of the liquid helps them integrate evenly without clumping against the blender walls.
5. Load the Cherries: Add the frozen cherries to the jar. Their weight will help push the other ingredients down toward the blades as soon as you start the machine.
6. Blend to Perfection: Start the blender on a low speed, gradually increasing to high. Blend for 45 to 60 seconds until the mixture looks completely smooth and takes on a vibrant, deep pink or purple hue.
7. Adjust Consistency: If the Cherry Collagen Bliss feels too thick, add one tablespoon of extra milk at a time. If you prefer a thicker “nice cream” texture, add a few extra frozen cherries or a couple of ice cubes.
8. Serve and Garnish: Pour the mixture into a chilled glass. Top with a few extra cherry halves or a sprinkle of hemp hearts for added texture and visual appeal.

For a refreshing twist, consider adding a touch of Creamy Mango Cherry Gelatin to your Cherry Collagen Bliss. This combination not only adds vibrant color but also a unique flavor profile that will impress your taste buds.

Pro Tips for Success

Achieving the perfect Cherry Collagen Bliss requires a little bit of technique and attention to detail. One of my favorite tricks involves chilling your glassware in the freezer for ten minutes before serving. This keeps the smoothie frosty for much longer, which is especially helpful during warm summer mornings.

When blending, if you notice the blades spinning without moving the fruit, stop the machine and use your spatula to break up air pockets. This “vortex” is essential for a silky result. Additionally, always taste your cherries before blending.

Since fruit sweetness varies by batch, you might need to adjust the acidity with a squeeze of lime or the sweetness with a touch of honey. Moreover, if you use a powdered collagen, ensure it is unflavored so it doesn’t clash with the delicate cherry notes. Quality collagen should disappear into the drink without changing the flavor profile at all.

Storage & Reheating Tips

While this recipe tastes best immediately after blending, you can certainly prepare for busy days ahead.

If you have leftovers, pour them into a silicone muffin tin and freeze them into “smoothie pucks.” When you are ready for your next Cherry Collagen Bliss, simply pop two or three pucks into the blender with a splash of liquid and whiz them up for a quick refresh. Alternatively, you can store the mixture in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Note that the texture will shift from a frozen slush to a thick liquid, but the nutritional benefits remain the same. If the chia seeds thicken the mixture too much overnight, just give it a quick shake or a stir with a spoon before drinking. I do not recommend reheating this recipe, as heat can degrade the collagen proteins and destroy the fresh flavor of the cherries.

If you’re making this treat ahead of time, don’t forget to try your hand at Cherry Almond Cookies as a delightful pairing. These cookies complement the Cherry Collagen Bliss perfectly and make for a scrumptious snack.

What to Serve With This Recipe

This Cherry Collagen Bliss serves as a wonderful standalone breakfast, but you can also pair it with other healthy options for a full brunch spread. I love serving it alongside a plate of avocado toast on sourdough bread, topped with a sprinkle of chili flakes and microgreens. The creaminess of the avocado complements the tartness of the cherries beautifully.

If you want a more protein-heavy meal, consider a side of soft-boiled eggs or a small bowl of Greek yogurt. For a purely plant-based pairing, try a handful of roasted walnuts or a homemade granola bar.

If you enjoy a warm beverage with your cold smoothie, a cup of white tea or a light herbal infusion works perfectly. The goal is to balance the cold, fruity notes of the smoothie with something warm or savory to satisfy all your taste buds and keep you full until lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this recipe completely vegan?

Absolutely! To make a vegan Cherry Collagen Bliss, simply replace the bovine or marine collagen with a plant-based collagen builder. These supplements typically contain amino acids, silica, and vitamin C to help your body produce its own collagen naturally. The flavor and texture will remain identical, and you still get all the skin-loving benefits without using animal products.

Is it okay to use fresh cherries instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh cherries, but the texture will be more like a juice than a thick smoothie. If you prefer the chilled, creamy consistency that the Cherry Collagen Bliss is known for, I recommend adding at least one cup of ice to the blender along with the fresh fruit. However, freezing the fruit itself usually yields a superior, less diluted flavor.

When is the best time of day to drink this?

Most people enjoy the Cherry Collagen Bliss in the morning because the natural sugars in the cherries provide a gentle energy boost, while the collagen and healthy fats keep you satiated. However, cherries are also a natural source of melatonin, which helps regulate sleep. This makes the recipe a fantastic post-dinner treat or a late-afternoon snack to help you wind down after a long day.

Cherry Collagen Bliss is a nutritious recipe that harnesses the benefits of collagen combined with the natural goodness of cherries. This delightful treat not only supports skin health but also integrates easily into various dietary lifestyles, making it a versatile addition to anyone’s recipe collection. For more on the nutritional value of cherries, check this link.

Final Thoughts

The Cherry Collagen Bliss isn’t just a drink; it is a ritual of self-love and vibrant health. By blending these colorful ingredients, you nourish your body and soul with every sip. Embrace this glowing lifestyle and share the sparkle with everyone you love today. Cheers to health!

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Cherry Collagen Bliss

Experience a vibrant explosion of flavor with this Cherry Collagen Bliss. This recipe offers a silky, ruby-red texture that satisfies your sweet cravings while supporting your glow from within. It balances tartness and creamy notes for a refreshing, nutrient-dense treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings servings

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 285

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups frozen dark sweet cherries, pitted
• 1 scoop collagen peptides or vegan collagen builder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• Pinch of sea salt

Method

 

1. If using fresh cherries, pit them carefully and freeze for at least four hours.
2. Pour the almond milk into the base of your blender.
3. Add the almond butter and vanilla extract.
4. Spoon in the collagen powder and chia seeds.
5. Add the frozen cherries to the jar.
6. Blend on low speed, gradually increasing to high for 45 to 60 seconds until smooth.
7. Adjust consistency by adding more milk or frozen cherries as desired.
8. Serve in a chilled glass and garnish as desired.

Notes

Serve immediately for best texture. Can store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours; stir before drinking.