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It’s a healthy dessert day! This rich and creamyDate Shake tastes like an old-fashioned vanilla milkshake with a kiss of cinnamon, but it’s made with frozen bananas, dates, and almond butter.
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My love for milkshakes began in my childhood, when my dad would make vanilla shakes in the blender for my sisters and me as a special post-dinner treat.
The milkshake affair continued on to high school, where every weekend, my friends and I would end the night at the one and only 24-hour diner on our side of town.
My order was always a large milkshake.
I’d pressure my then-boyfriend into ordering fries so that I could dip them. (I KNOW. I’m one of those fry-in-the Frosty people.)
In college, Iworkedat a late-night on-campus eatery, where I became intimately acquainted with the shake needs of rowdy undergrads at 3 a.m.
Today, I still love the taste, texture, and refreshing nature of milkshakes but not the heavy feeling they leave in my stomach afterward.
This is a healthy date shake recipe without ice cream, but it tastes like a true treat. You’re going to love it!
How to Make the Best Date Shake
The original date shake came from Palm Springs.
But with a few simple ingredients, no matter where you live you can make a vanilla date shake for a fraction of what you’d pay at a fancy resort.
- A date shake has the same consistency as a traditional milkshake, but the sweetness comes entirely from the dates and frozen banana.
- This is also a vegan date shake recipe, which means those with dairy allergies can enjoy it (the same is true of my copycat Shamrock Shake).
The Ingredients
- Dates. Dates are nature’s candy! They give this shake plenty of sweetness without the need for added sugar. Dates are packed with fiber and antioxidants.
- Frozen Bananas. Blended frozen bananas taste remarkably like ice cream and make the shake thick, sweet, and creamy. Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber.
- Almond Butter. Gives the shake richness and nuttiness. With healthy fats, almond butter also helps make it more satisfying.
Substitution Tip
Peanut butter is also tasty in this shake.
- Vanilla Almond Milk. I love the subtle vanilla flavor and nuttiness of vanilla almond milk, but you can use any milk you have on hand.
- Vanilla. Adds a warmth that perfectly complements the dates.
The Directions
- Add the shake ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 day. To thicken it up again, reblend the mixture with more frozen fruit, ice, or dates.
- To Freeze. Freeze the date shake in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Meal Prep Tip
Up to 1 month in advance, prepare a handful of date shakes (multiply the recipe as desired). Freeze them in portions in airtight containers. Thaw and enjoy as needed.
What to Serve with a Date Shake
Desserts
Honey Bars
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Frozen Desserts
Oat Milk Ice Cream
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Cookies
Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Banana Date Shake Recipe Variations
- Go Tropical. Add mango and sprinkle the top with toasted coconut.
- Chocolate. Add a teaspoon or two of unsweetened cocoa powder and a handful of chocolate chips.
- Protein Date Shake. Feel free to add a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder. Chocolate protein powder in the chocolate version would be mighty tasty too.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- High-Powered Blender. Check out this one for a more economical option.
- Measuring Spoons. I love how easily these stay together during storage.
- Stainless Steel Straws. My favorite straws to use for shakes and smoothies!
I hope you love this rich, creamy, healthy banana date shake as much as we do. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make a Nut-Free Date Shake?
Yes, you can swap the almond butter for any nut-free butter you enjoy. Make sure you also use a nut-free milk.
Do You Need to Soak Dates?
While you may need to soak your dates for a recipe like Vegan Cookie Dough Bars with Chocolate Chips, you do not need to soak them for this shake recipe.
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PrintDate Shake
5 from 5 votes
A creamy vanilla date shake like the famous original in Palm Springs, made healthy and vegan without ice cream! Frozen banana, dates, and almond butter are used.
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 0 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
Servings: 2 small shakes or 1 large shake (about 8 ounces each)
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Ingredients
- 2 large bananas cut into chunks and frozen (about 2 cups sliced)
- 4 pitted Medjool dates
- 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter plus additional to taste
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
- Small handful ice cubes optional
Instructions
Place the banana, dates, almond butter, vanilla extract, and almond milk in a high powered blender (if you do not have a high-powered blender, I recommend blending the milk and half of the frozen fruit first, then slowly adding the rest of the fruit and remaining ingredients).
Blend until smooth. If you would like the shake a bit thicker, add a few ice cubes and blend again. Taste and add additional almond butter if you'd like the shake a little richer or another date if you'd like it sweeter. Pour and enjoy!
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 day. To thicken it up again, reblend the mixture with more frozen fruit, ice, or dates.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze the date shake in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 2)Calories: 324kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gPotassium: 882mgFiber: 8gSugar: 49gVitamin A: 159IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 1mg
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Erin Clarke
Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!
Learn more about Erin