Sprinkles and vanilla cake flavor...for breakfast?! It's the only way to start a birthday! This Vegan Birthday Cake Smoothie tastes like a huge slice of cake but is actually filled with good-for-you ingredients that will give you the energy to party all day long!
Now that our kids are getting older, we have started some fun family birthday traditions and this Birthday Cake Smoothie is one of them! It is basically vanilla birthday cake in smoothie form. All three of my kids quickly inhale it whenever I make it and it's such a fun way to start their most special day of the year! Little do they know it is full of plant-based protein and cauliflower (cue the evil mom laugh). It is a total win-win. They think I'm the coolest mom ever for giving them a cake-like smoothie on their birthday morning and I'm thrilled they are eating a nutritious veggie-based breakfast before all the birthday fun!
One valuable thing I learned from this recipe is that if you put whipped cream and sprinkles on anything kids will gobble it up. Big surprise there, right?! I did use vegan, soy-free whipped cream and vegan, dye-free sprinkles so I feel a bit better about the whole situation...but their eyes go wide and they get the biggest grin when they see their smoothie all dressed up!
Birthday Cake Smoothie Ingredients
The smoothie is naturally sweetened with dates and gets creaminess from cauliflower, almond milk, slivered almonds and oats.
- Medjool dates, pitted
- Pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder - Don't leave this out! You need vanilla for the cake flavor.
- Almond extract
- Gluten-free oats
- Slivered almonds - you can leave these out if you're nut-free; they just adds creaminess!
- Plain riced frozen cauliflower - you can make your own by pulsing cauliflower in a food processor until it's the consistency of rice, then freezing it!
- Unsweetened, plain almond milk - any plant-based milk works! I like to make my own almond milk.
- Ice cubes
All About Oats
It may sound odd to put oats in a smoothie but not only does it add to its overall nutrition, it also provides a sweet and cake-like flavor. Oats are full of soluble fiber, and they’re higher in protein and healthful fats than most other whole grains. I love getting an energy boost and feeling full a little longer after eating oats!
Smoothie Secret Ingredient: Cauliflower!
I know how strange (and maybe even gross?) it sounds to put cauliflower in your smoothie...but trust me on this! Buy the frozen plain riced cauliflower and toss a cup of it into your blender. You can't taste the cauliflower at all, and it adds creaminess and so much nutrition. Cauliflower is a nutrient-rich cruciferous veggie that is low in calories while offering dietary fiber, vitamin C and folic acid.
I hope you enjoy this festive birthday creation as much as my family does. It has become a birthday morning tradition in our household. It is not just for kids, either..my husband and I love it too and enjoy one on our birthday mornings! Check out my full collection of Birthday Recipes as well!
This recipe is vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free and peanut-free. I provide a nut-free version below. If you give this recipe a try, please snap a pic and tag #eatingbyelaine and @eatingbyelaine on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook so I can see your birthday cake smoothie creations. Leaving a review below is super helpful as well!
More Fun Smoothies & Birthday Recipes
Almond Butter Cup Smoothie
No-Bake Birthday Cake Energy Bites
Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes
Frozen Inspired Smoothie Bowl
Healthy Mocha Chocolate Smoothie
Rainbow Vanilla Sheet Cake
Healthy Birthday Cake Smoothie Bowl
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Acai Smoothie
Vegan "Nutella" Smoothie Bowl
3-Ingredient Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
Vegan Apple Pie Smoothie
Creamy Pink Smoothie Bowl
Vegan Healthy Birthday Cake Smoothies
- Total Time: 5
- Yield: 1 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A plant-based smoothie that literally tastes like vanilla birthday cake. I snuck in one cup of cauliflower and you wouldn't even know it. My girls didn't suspect a thing and fought over each sip.
Ingredients
- 3-4 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoon gluten-free oats
- 3 tablespoons slivered almonds (omit if nut-free, it adds creaminess)
- 1 cup plain riced frozen cauliflower
- 1 ½ cup unsweetened, plain almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 2 cups ice cubes
Optional smoothie boosters to go in the smoothie:
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Optional garnish ideas:
- dairy-free whipped cream
- dye-free vegan sprinkles or crushed up freeze dried fruit
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- mini vegan chocolate chips
- A birthday candle on top too for fun!
Instructions
- Place dates, vanilla, oats, almonds, cauliflower and almond milk to a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add hemp seeds and chia seeds if using.
- Add ice to the blender and blend again until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately.
- Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles and any other desired garnishes to make it festive. Add a birthday candle on top if desired. Enjoy with a straw or spoon.
Equipment
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Notes
To stick the sprinkles to the rim of the glass roll the edges of the glass in almond butter (or any nut or seed butter). You could also use the vegan vanilla icing.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
Keywords: vegan birthday cake smoothie
Erin Swann says
Your girls are too cute! Happy birthday to both of them! I will have to try out this recipe with my kids. Looks yummy!
Elaine Gordon says
Aw thank you! I hope you and your adorable boys love it! 🙂