Folks, we have a serious crisis on our hands that involves a nationwide shortage of almond butter. Oh, the horror!
Trader Joe’s has taken to rationing the precious (and pricy) jars, ever since the widespread recall last fall, which apparently wiped out much of the supply. And since almonds only grow so fast, it’s taking a while to build up the stock. As a result, they limit you to two jars per customer only on Mondays and Wednesdays. And you better get there early because they only get one case at a time. (Hint: check behind the counter. The manager likes to play hard to get and often hides it there).
I told you it was serious.
Two months ago? I couldn’t have cared less. But once I became conscious that there was a shortage, thoughts of almond butter consumed me; all I wanted to do was to consume it. It was of the utmost importance that I get my hands on as much as possible, as quickly as possible. What do they say, you always want what you can’t have? True that.
That and I’ve also realized it is completely necessary for most excellent smoothies.
This particular smoothie was inspired by a similar creation from the Juice Bar, an adorable new juice-joint just south of Nashville. For someone who was so adamantly opposed to liquid diets and drinkable meals of any kind, I have say their juices just might change my mind. The hearty dose of ginger in most of them doesn’t hurt either…
But I digress.
In addition to juices they also serve smoothies, including the satisfyingly filling “Blue Chocolatta,” complete with blueberries, almond butter, dates, and cocoa powder. While I (shockingly, considering my history) opted to leave out the cocoa powder in my version, you could most certainly add a few teaspoons for something extra special. But it doesn’t really need it, the blueberries and almond butter alone make for a decadent drink that’s practically a milkshake, rich and creamy and with just the perfect amount of sweetness from the dates.
Also? Peanut butter. If you can’t navigate the almond butter rationing system, you’d be surprised at how good this is with peanut butter instead of almond. A bit more potent, for sure, so you may want to decrease the amount, but blueberries and peanut butter are a surprisingly good combination. Who knew? Come to think of it, it’s technically the same concept as a peanut butter and jelly. Just, well, drinkable.
Blueberry Almond Butter Smoothies
Ingredients:
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 3/4 cup almond milk
- 3 dates, pitted and quartered
- 1 cup ice, or as needed
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender; purée on high speed until smooth. Add a few ice cubes and blend until it reaches your desired consistency.
Did you make this recipe?
Let us know what you think!
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good smoothie. I do almost the exact some one occasionally in the morning but I replace milk with rice milk and add 1 cup of spinach and 1/4 cup raw oats. Good breakfast smoothie.
No I didn’t make this one, but my smoothies are made like this
1 cup of almond milk
1 cup of frozen blue berries
1 banana
1/2 tsp of cinnamon
1 tsp chia seeds.
can you tell me is this all good or is there two much sugar in this.
This is an amazing smoothie. Light tasting but very filling. However I didn’t have dates, so I subsidized for yogurt covered raisins and also added double dipped dark chocolate almonds and praline walnuts, only about 5-6 each.
This would make a great dessert for the kids. Well and of course for myself too lol. I can’t believe all the fantastic recipes you have here. I could fix meals for a year I swear.
Your Blueberry Almond Butter Smoothie is exciting. I like blueberry very much. I bought new juicers last week and experiment a lot of diferent tasty recepes! Top juicers that clean up in under 5 minutes helped me to chose comfortable and good juicer. And I haven’t regretted. Good juice in the morning makes me feel happier.
This looks amazing, I will try it this weekend. Thanks for the recipe.
Just made this smoothie. It’s delicious! Although I added what I had on hand: fresh/non-frozen blueberries, extra ice, ground flax, and dried figs rather than dates. Thanks for a new favorite!
Thank you for sharing this delicious looking smoothie that making me drool on my computer! Thanks… haha But looks tasty and can’t wait to make it this weekend.
Thanks for share,
Tony
This taste pretty good, but WAY TOO many calories! 1/2 of a serving (1/4) of this recipe is well over 600 calories! I’d cut the almond butter in half, drop the dates, and add 1 cup per serving of spinach. If I realized up front how many calories this was I’d never had made it. This will teach me to count calories before purchasing all ingredients! :/
Make your own Almond Butter, it’s the easiest thing in the world and a possible shortage problem will never be an issue!
Can you substitute dried figs for dates? I have some left over in my cupboard and have no idea what to do with them…..
Yes, most definitely!
OMG! This smootie is awsome…
This is a really nice way to get a lift after a walk or exercise, my partner whipped up a couple after our sunday ride and we both enjoyed them plus this smoothie is healthy, what more can you ask :)
I’ve recently introduced smoothies to Elliott. He has decided he largely prefers food he can suck out of a straw or baby food pouch. He loves blueberries so I’ll have to try this combo on him!
I love all the components of this smoothie!
almond butter is my kryptonite!
Just bought your second book because I love your first one so much!
Yum! What a perfect flavor combination :) I can’t wait to make this for myself!
This sounds delicious… and nourishing. Am a fan of your work!
LOL! You are so right, now that I know there is a shortage (which explains a lot btw), almond butter is all I want to eat! Argh! In the event I fight through the crowds at my local TJ’s, I am absolutely making this smoothie!
This smoothie is AMAZING!! But is very hard not to drink the whole thing alone. It needs to feed two!
Goodness gracious, that’s crazy! Over here in LA, our Trader Joe’s are rationing COOKIE BUTTER! There’s a guy who comes into our TJs specifically and buys a whole case (or used to) and then sold the jars on EBAY! I mean, WHAT THE WHAT?! Craziness.
Anywho, about Almond Butter- why not make your own??? SO simple!!! And yummy to boot. I have a great recipe up should you want! http://www.sweetlavenderbakeshoppe.com/2013/05/why-not-make-yourself-some-almond-butter.html
Take care girl!
This looks so delicious. I definitely bookmarked it and can’t wait to try.
I definitely need a stronger blendar! What a recipe.
I didn’t know the almond situation was so dire. Yikes! This smoothie sounds amazing.
This has all my favorite ingredients…can’t wait to try it!
What a gorgeous smoothie! I used to eat smoothies every morning for breakfast but I kinda smoothied myself out so I’ve stopped recently. However, yours is the perfect twist to make me want to try them again!
Yikes, never knew there was an almond butter emergency! This smoothie is all kinds of perfect!
Two jars per customer?! This is the first I’ve heard and I’m outraged! Haha. When the almond butter crisis was happening, I started stocking up on my beloved sunflower seed butter. Try it, you will fall in love.
This looks so good!! Love how you put almond butter in this smoothie too.. I was only expecting almond milk!
For some strange reason, I’ve been kind of scared to add any kind of butter to my smoothies but by looking at this post, I’m willing to try it and I want to try it with this recipe! It looks really good! Thank you for the post! :)
Hah I had no idea about the almond butter shortage – too funny! Love the blueberry + almond combo in this smoothie.
What a great flavor for smoothies! This looks so delicious and easy, Lindsay. Thanks for sharing!
So the almond butter at Trader Joe’s is good, huh? I’ve never tried it — I usually make my own from time to time or grab it quick at Whole Foods when I’m there. Now that there’s a shortage, I’ll start liking it, too. This smoothie sounds wonderful!
Love this… it IS just like a milkshake!
This is so beautiful and I’m sure is super delicious! I guess I know where to go if I need Almond butter… your house!
Love blueberries!
Almond butter…an absolute fave.
I love the dates in this recipe. Plenty of room for variations such as using prunes.
An almond butter crisis?! What a terrible start to my weekend! How did I not know about this! Must stock up, if only for this recipe
Folks, have you ever thought of making your own almond butter? You will need a powerful blender but it’s totally worth it! You can make so much from scratch that way!
Woah, really? Had no idea there was a shortage! That’s nuts! … heh. I am a big fan of cashew butter lately though, so I’ll make do with that :)
Gosh that looks super incredible!!! I can’t wait to try new smoothies when my blender arrives!!
I was wondering where the almond butter went!! Last time I was visiting my parents and went to Trader Joes, I told my mom that I thought it was so strange that the almond butter shelves were empty…and then I got upset because that meant that I, of course, needed almond butter!
I’m literally having a panic attack every time I open my jar of almond butter from TJs in the morning knowing it’s my last one. My store has absolutely NO almond butter. My brother’s store (2 hrs away) is only getting some varieties and like you said 1-2 cases a week max. It’s serious torture. These almonds better hurry the heck up!!
Buy some almonds and use a blender or food processor to make your own. Or shop at a health food store that has equipment to turn nuts into butters.
Love the addition of dates and the switch up of the usual peanut butter to almond! Looks so pretty, so good and sounds so awesome!
I was walking past the grocery section of Target the other day and heard a girl down the aisle say, “Oh I love almond butter!” and her boyfriend reply, “Of course you do. It’s SEVEN DOLLARS.” Maybe she should make him this smoothie to convince him it’s worth every penny.
Dates are a brilliant addition. Love this!
Can you tell me what could be substitute for dates?
Dates add sweetness, so you could add some honey or other sweetener in place.
But butters behind the manager’s desk. Who knew! Gorgeous smoothie and love the flavors going in there!
Love the look of this smoothie for breakfast or a snack! Yum!