Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Bowl
By Marty Cole · June 1, 2026
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My daughter had a soccer tournament in July and wanted "something chocolatey but not too heavy," which is the kind of request that sends me straight to the Ninja Creami. This Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Bowl came together after I froze the milk, yogurt, cocoa, and honey base overnight with the cherries blended in, and the machine spun it out smooth and scoopable, not icy at all. Practical tip: if your base comes out crumbly after the first spin, just add a tablespoon of milk and hit re-spin. She ate the whole bowl before I got a photo, so I'm counting that as a win.
How it spins
Tip: freeze the pint on a level shelf for a full 24 hours. If the first spin looks crumbly, add a splash of milk and run Re-spin.
Ingredients
- Frozen Dark Cherries1.25 cups
- Whole Milk0.5 cup
- Greek Yogurt0.25 cup
- Cocoa Powder1.5 tbsp
- Honey1.5 tbsp
- Vanilla Extract0.5 tsp
- Granolaoptional0.25 cup
- Dark Chocolate Chipsoptional1 tbsp
- Fresh Cherriesoptional6 whole
- Pumpkin Seedsoptional1 tbsp
Directions
- 1Whisk the cocoa powder into the milk until dissolved, then combine with the frozen cherries, yogurt, honey, and vanilla in a bowl and stir until uniform.
- 2Pour into a Creami pint under the max fill line, seal, and freeze flat for 24 hours.
- 3Run the SMOOTHIE_BOWL preset. If crumbly, add a splash of milk and Re-spin.
- 4Scoop into a bowl and top with granola, dark chocolate chips, fresh cherries, and pumpkin seeds.
Tips
- Freeze your pint completely flat and level for 16-24 hours so it freezes evenly and the Creami can process it smoothly without getting stuck.
- If your smoothie bowl comes out too crumbly or icy after spinning, add a splash of milk and re-spin it to get that creamy texture back.
- Make your liquid base the night before and get it in the freezer early so you're not waiting around on smoothie bowl day.
Variations
- Swap the dark cherries for frozen raspberries or blueberries and keep everything else the same for a different fruit flavor.
- Use almond milk instead of whole milk for a lighter version, and add an extra tablespoon of Greek yogurt to keep the texture creamy after spinning.
- Stir in a tablespoon of almond butter into your liquid base before freezing for a nuttier, richer smoothie bowl.
FAQ
- Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
- Fresh cherries won't work because you need frozen fruit to blend into your liquid base for proper freezing. Freeze fresh cherries overnight first, then puree them into your milk mixture before pouring into the pint container.
- Why did my smoothie bowl come out powdery or crumbly after spinning?
- This usually means your pint didn't freeze solid enough or your freezer runs cold. Make sure it's completely solid for the full 16-24 hours, and if it still comes out crumbly, add a splash of milk and re-spin it.
- How long can I keep a frozen pint in the freezer?
- Your frozen pint stays good for about a week in the freezer before ice crystals start forming on the surface. After that it'll still spin, but the texture won't be as creamy.
- Can I make this lighter without Greek yogurt?
- You can reduce the yogurt to 1/2 cup and add an extra 1/4 cup of milk to keep it spoonable, but the yogurt gives you creaminess when the Creami processes it. Skipping it entirely will give you more of a sorbet texture.
Nutrition
Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated
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Meet Marty Cole
I'm a home cook who got a little obsessed with the Ninja Slushi and Creami. I test every recipe in my own kitchen on a real machine, dial in the texture, and only post the ones my family actually finishes.
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