How’s everyone’s new year’s resolutions so far?
I know a lot of people are trying to eat a bit differently this time of year and maybe inspiration is just kind of meh around the third week of January. The enthusiasm is starting to cool a bit. I find smoothies, juices, herbal tea, and the like really help with transitioning to a feel-good mode of living. They’re just super fresh, ready quickly, and delicious!
I think Em von Euw understands what a huge role juices, shakes, and little wholesome bites can play in personal wellness! Their newest book 100 Best Juices, Smoothies and Healthy Snacks has so many vibrant and delicious ideas to keep anyone satisfied. Em’s passion for inspiring others to feel their best shines through these pages of inspired combinations and clever observations. That contagious enthusiasm will speak to the experienced and newbie health warriors alike.
I took their basic nut milk formula, using walnuts upon their recommendation, and I can tell you with certainty that it won’t be the last time I do that. I’ve made almond, cashew, macadamia, hemp, coconut, and brazil nut milk before, but this here is something special. As soon as I tasted that buttery and toasty milk, I knew I had to mix it with banana, cinnamon, vanilla, and cacao nibs for a creamy-sweet banana bread feel.
Emily’s ratio of nuts to water for homemade non-dairy milk makes for a richer texture, and with this shake it was so decadent, nourishing and perfect. Other things from the book I’m excited to try: the grapefruit mango immune booster, hippie hemp hummus, the herb happiness juice, and the dark chocolate chip, oat and hemp cookies.
If you like this smoothie, you’ll also love my Chocolate Banana Oat Breakfast Smoothie and my Peanut Butter Vanilla Green Shake.
Vegan Banana Bread Shakes with Homemade Walnut Milk
Ingredients
Walnut Milk
- 1 cup raw walnuts, soaked for at least 4 hours
- 3 cups filtered water
Banana Bread Shakes
- 3 cups walnut milk
- 2 cups sliced bananas, fresh or frozen
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
- ice (optional)
- pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
Equipment
Notes
- Walnut milk inspired by Em Von Euw‘s 100 Best Juices, Smoothies and Healthy Snacks
- You could definitely fill this out with a bit of protein powder and other superfood-y goodies to make this more breakfast-appropriate. It totally drinks like dessert :)
Instructions
Walnut Milk
- Drain the soaked walnuts and place them in an upright blender. Add the filtered water to the blender. Blend the mixture on high for about 2 minutes, or until you have a fluid, creamy “milk.” Strain the milk with a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Push the walnut pulp in the strainer with the back of a spoon to get all of the milk out. Pour the strained milk into a sealable container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- The milk will separate, so just shake it every time you use it. Milk keeps in the fridge for about a week.
Banana Bread Shakes
- In an upright blender, combine the walnut milk, sliced bananas, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla powder and maple syrup (and ice, if using). Blend on high until you have a creamy and smooth mixture. Add the cacao nibs and blend for 10 seconds more–just so that you have little cacao “chips” throughout the drink.
- Pour the banana bread shakes into glasses and garnish with toppings if you like. Serve cold.
Cherry pie!
My mom made the most fantastic lemon squares and Black Forest cake. I don’t think I could choose one over the other but I would be pleased to have either of those in liquid form!!!
Oh my gosh Brianna! Either of those would be sooo good in smoothie!! xx
Carrot cake forsure!
I think a Hazelnut Torta. So basically, it would taste like liquid Nutella!
key lime pie, or a passion fruit cake!
These look tasty, and your post provides a great foundation for creating all kinds of goodness in liquid form. As far as what dessert I’d like to see in drinkable form, I can’t think of anything more appealing than a good peanut butter cookie smoothie. I’m thinking maybe take your recipe, then replace the walnut milk with almond milk and the maple syrup with peanut butter.
Hazelnut chocolate tart!
Dessert for breakfast?! This pregnant lady is in!
Hi :) I would love to see Strawberry Shortcake in juice form. Mmm <3
Gingerbread!
Some of my favorite desserts might seem a bit odd in drinkable form, but the one that immediately came to mind to try is carrot cake!
I want Emily’s book so bad!! This shake sounds amazing. I made something similar this morning, just added a lil’ peanut butter :)
These shakes are glowing!! Insanely gorgeous. Plus this book sounds wonderful. I’d have to say I would love to drink a s’more!! (favorite dessert of all-time)
Coffee cake would be great as a smoothie.
Tiramisu, please! (And can it be vegan?)
Tiramisu in a drinkable smoothie!
A lemon and lavender scone!
Mmm, this drink looks so good!
A baklava in a drinkable form would be THE BEST THING EVER I think <3
My very first thought was key lime pie. I’m going to stick with it!
Tiramisu sounds good.
Hmmmm it would have to be Eton mess, a concoction of juicy strawberries, cream(this could be the inventive bit, cashew would work)and vegan meringue. Nom nom.
Sticky toffee pudding shake oh myyyy! :)
This is so not fair! I don’t like anything sweet!! So I can’t remember the last time I actually ate a dessert. Can we make a carrot cake without the frosting? and without sugar? So maybe just a carrot something. I know, I am pathetic. I don’t even like chocolate.
“Anyone that mentions a Vitamix and gender equality in the same breath gets endless high fives from me” may be the best thing I’ve read all year, if not ever. Also, as a long-term daily yogini, I am in LOVE with the Headspace app.
Anyway, this smoothie looks incredible. I love the addition of walnut milk! And I’m thinking a black forest gâteau smoothie would be pretty sweet.
Carrot cake would be delicious!! I’ll definitely be trying this smoothie — banana bread is a fav too.
Nanaimo bar! But how…?
Tough decision…but, I’d have to go with oatmeal raisin cookies!
peanut butter cups
lemon meringue pie
Banana bread in liquid form sounds like heaven. Can’t wait to make some in my own kitchen! Gorgeous photos, as always!
Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream flavored smoothie!
Best dessert in drinkable form is Carrot Cake. No question about it. Second may be a pumpkin brownie, or perhaps tiramisu. But Carrot Cake wins hands down!
Oh man….. definitely strawberry shortcake. My favorite!
Fingers crossed!
I would love to see strawberry shortcake in a healthy, drinkable form- filled with healthy fats and vitamin C!
How about chocolate,pistachio and marzipan–like a Mozart truffle.
I would love a shake that taste like those peanutbutter cookies that are shaped like peanuts :)
I would love a pistachio burfi smoothie!!
I’ve been missing the flavors of home, so I’d love a drinkable Tres Leches Cake!
I would love a mint brownie in drinkable form!
Drinkable apple pie, please! My dream!
I would say Black Forest Cake, which I already make and is actually one of my favorites smoothies. Other than that, anything else mind-blowingly chocolatey!
Pineapple upside down cake!!
almond joy!
Hey, Laura.
Yummy banana bread shake!
Let’s see…a liquid form of a favorite dessert…
I’d love to come up with a version of an old Martha Stewart recipe…It’s a honey and pinenut tart, with a shortbread crust. I adore pinenuts!!!
thanks for the giveaway opportunity…always fun!
I really love smoothies with parsley. It makes them smell so wonderful. Green smoothies are the best!
Carrot cake smoothie sounds delish! I so enjoy everything about your blog, the photography, your writing and food/life philosophy and every recipe I’ve tried has been a hit! Thank you.
I think tiramisu would be great!
Apple pie? I want to go home & make walnut milk now too.
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake would be a delicious smoothie!
I would love a drinkable tiramisu!