Kids Dessert Recipes – Smoothies
A kid’s ear perks up when he hears the word dessert. And who can blame them? These delicious sweets after a meal are fine motivators to get kids to clean up their plate fast. And yet, though some may not believe it, desserts and other sweets – smoothies included – can also be considered a nutritious and healthy kids snack; some may even consider it as a fantastic alternative for other snacks.
Hearing the word “smoothies” usually brings to mind something creamy with fruits and lots of ice. That in itself is enough of an explanation as to why it can be a stand-alone snack. Kids and adults alike agree that when it comes to a healthy snack, smoothies take the cake.
My own daughter usually gets one as an after school treat, enough to last her until dinner. She also claims that it also gives her an additional energy boost (although sometimes, I tend to think that she just enjoys the smoothies so much that she’d use that as ammo against me, read: for me to make her smoothies every time she comes home from school).
That said, here are some smoothie recipes which your little ones would be sure to love:
Strawberry Smoothie
This may remind you of the usual, traditional milkshake, with the additional goodness and nutrients of cranberry juice.
Instructions:
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Combine 1 cup of fresh and frozen strawberries (partially thawed – frozen fruits give out more sweetness than that of non-chilled ones), 1 cup of buttermilk, ½ cup of frozen cranberry juice concentrate, and 2 crushed ice cubes in a blender. Blend until smooth.
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You can sweeten it some more with a teaspoon of sugar or a small dollop of honey (but nothing more).
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Best served immediately (or else, it would be called a hot and weird smoothie). This recipe makes 2 servings (1 cup each).
Tropicana Smoothie
Although I (as a mother) strongly recommend having a solid breakfast, for those oh-no-I-just-woke-up--now-I’m-going-to-be-late times, this would probably be the best substitute to last you until the next snack or lunch time.
Instructions:
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Combine 1 cup of pineapple (fresh or canned would do fine), 1 sliced banana, ½ cup of tofu (much better) or plain or natural yoghurt (may be a substitute to the tofu), 1/3 cup passion fruit concentrate, ½ cup of water, 2 crushed ice cubes, and an optional (but good if you want your child to have some fiber intake) 1 tablespoon of wheat or oat bran.
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Blend until creamy and serve immediately. Makes 3 servings.
Apricot Smoothie
I usually make this for my eldest daughter (a sweet-tooth from the day she tasted her first fruit) as a last-day of school for the week treat.
Instructions:
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Combine a cup of canned apricots in light syrup, 6 crushed ice cubes, 1 cup of plain yoghurt and 3 tablespoons of sugar. (You can substitute the apricot syrup to the sugar.)
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Blend until frothy.
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Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.
It is the simple pleasures that delight us. Smoothies are easy to make and filled with vitamins and nutrients from the fruits you use. Your child may not see it as healthy, but you rest assured, knowing that it is. |
