Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

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This Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie is rich, creamy, and full of citrus and vanilla flavors! Enjoy it as a quick breakfast or on-the-go snack! {Vegan and/or Paleo}

Spiriteds, we’re just adding another delicious option to the smoothie lineup on the blog with this Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie. And what I need to do more often is create PARTICULARLY LOOOONG recipe names. Although, in all honesty, I don’t think this one is the longest one I’ve ever conceptualized. But it’s definitely up there.

Let us not be deterred, though, in pursuing this summery delight. Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie is born out of one of my favorite childhood summer treats, Popsicle®️ Push-Ups, which I called “push downs.” 

DON’T WORRY. While I didn’t manage to call those popsicles by the right name, I did manage to make a mess of myself each time I slurped my way through one. Every time I think of childhood summers with my grandparents, that citrusy treat comes to mind. And now I’m bringing you a creamy smoothie alternative that is just as delightful, if a little less messy! Even better? You can enjoy it all year round.

If you miss the popsicles of youth, then then pour your smoothie into popsicle moulds and freeze them. You’ll have a summer treat to beat the heat in no time! 

I can’t lie. This is one smoothie you could fashion any number of ways. Whether you need a snack on-the-go, a quick breakfast, or something for the sheer fun of it, Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie is ready for it!

So grab some frozen mandarin oranges, a high-speed blender (you’ll be glad you have it), your milk and liquid sweetener of choice, and let’s get smoothie-ing! 

This smoothie is

• Dairy-free
• Gluten-free
• Vegan and/or paleo
• Perfect for popsicle molds
• Easy to throw together

Also, apparently I’m not the only one to cherish those push-downs as a child. A quick search of the internet revealed that countless food bloggers have their own versions of an orange creamsicle smoothie. And thanks to Happy Healthy Mama’s Dairy-Free Orange Creamsicle Smoothie recipe, I was inspired to freeze the mandarin oranges first so I could skip adding ice cubes to the smoothie later. Worked like a charm!

Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie ingredients

• Mandarin oranges. I love mandarin oranges for this smoothie because they are sweet, juicy, and easy to work with! They also freeze well and are easy to transfer from the baking sheet to the blender while frozen. If they somehow manage to clump together during the freezing process, then let them sit in the blender container for a few minutes until you can break them apart in to individual wedges or smaller clumps.
• Dairy-free milk. Okay, let’s talk milk alternatives here. I use the cream from a can of chilled full-fat coconut milk because it gives this smoothie a scrumptious, rich, creamy flavor and consistency. And the coconut tastes incredible with the mandarin oranges. But, if you don’t like coconut milk, full-fat or otherwise, you CAN use a different milk choice. However, your smoothie will likely be much thinner. Almond milk tastes scrumptious as would just about any other milk alternative. If you still want a thicker smoothie, try adding a few extra mandarin oranges or reduce the milk by a few tablespoons.
• Liquid sweetener. 100% pure honey (paleo), agave nectar (vegan), or 100% maple syrup (paleo or vegan) will work. But they will also affect the overall flavor, so pick the one YOU will enjoy the most!
• Vanilla extract. Definitely go for some vanilla in this smoothie.
• Optional mix-ins: Ground flaxseed, vanilla protein powder, or chia seeds.

How to make Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

1. Peel the mandarin oranges, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze them for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. In a high-speed blender, add your milk of choice, liquid sweetener, vanilla extract, and frozen mandarin oranges. Blend on a LOW speed for about 1-2 minutes, or until the ingredients have mixed together and the blender is running smoothly.
3. Gradually turn the speed up to MEDIUM and blend until you no longer see pieces of mandarin orange.
4. Store the smoothie in a glass container for about 2-3 days. It will thicken as it stands.

Recipe tips and suggestions

• If the mandarin oranges get stuck together in clumps as they freeze, then let them soften slightly in the blender before you begin to make the smoothie. Once you can break them apart, you’re ready to begin.
• Use a tamper, if your blender comes with one, to blend the ingredients together. If your blender does not come with a tamper, then you may need to stop blending periodically to unclog the blades.
• Blending times may vary depending on the size and texture of the mandarin orange you work with. If they are larger or firmer, then plan for extra blending time. Smaller, softer mandarin oranges typically blend faster.
• Experiment with different milk alternatives, mix-ins, and sweeteners. This is one smoothie recipe you can make several different ways and enjoy all the same!

More smoothies to sip!

If you’d like a few other recipes to inspire your smoothie game, then check out these tasty sips!

• Pineapple Mango Smoothie
• Peach Mango Smoothie
• Matcha Mango Smoothie
• Strawberry Cherry Smoothie

Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun when you can, and always remember I’m glad you’re here. 🧡 🧡 🧡

Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

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This Dairy-Free Mandarin Orange Creamsicle Smoothie is rich, creamy, and full of citrus and vanilla flavors! Enjoy it as a quick breakfast or on-the-go snack! {Vegan and/or Paleo}

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Freeze Time: 60 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 3 cups 1x
• Category: Smoothies
• Method: Blender
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 6–8 mandarin oranges, peeled into wedges
• 1 cup dairy-free milk alternative (see notes)
• 2 tablespoons 100% pure honey, organic agave nectar, or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional mix-ins: Ground flaxseed, vanilla protein powder, or chia seeds

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Instructions

1. Peel the mandarin oranges, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze them for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. In a high-speed blender, add your milk of choice, liquid sweetener, vanilla extract, and frozen mandarin oranges. Blend on a LOW speed for about 1-2 minutes, or until the ingredients have mixed together and the blender is running smoothly.
3. Gradually turn the speed up to MEDIUM and blend until you no longer see pieces of mandarin orange.
4. Store the smoothie in a glass container for about 2-3 days. It will thicken as it stands.

Notes

• If the mandarin oranges get stuck together in clumps as they freeze, then let them soften slightly in the blender before you begin to make the smoothie. Once you can break them apart, you’re ready to begin.
• Use a tamper, if your blender comes with one, to blend the ingredients together. If your blender does not come with a tamper, then you may need to stop blending periodically to unclog the blades.
• Blending times may vary depending on the size and texture of the mandarin orange you work with. If they are larger or firmer, then plan for extra blending time. Smaller, softer mandarin oranges typically blend faster.  
• Experiment with different milk alternatives, mix-ins, and sweeteners. This is one smoothie recipe you can make several different ways and enjoy all the same!
• Dairy-free milk options include but aren’t limited to coconut, almond, cashew, rice, or oat. If you have another you prefer, then go for it!
• Liquid sweeteners include but aren’t limited to 100% pure honey (paleo), agave nectar (vegan), or 100% pure maple syrup (vegan or paleo). A few drops of liquid stevia will also work, however you may need to add more milk to balance the solids : liquids ratio.