My friend Caroline – who authors the lovely blog Chocolate & Carrots - is having a baby!!!
I’m so happy to celebrate this exciting news by participating in a virtual baby shower – put on by Erin from Texanerin Baking - along with a bunch of other talented bloggers.
I opted for a beverage (alcohol-free for the mom-to-be, of course) and came up with this frosty drink that combines flavors of a pina colada and carrot cake.
I know it may sound a bit strange, but trust me when I tell you that this refreshing drink is deeeeelicious!
The smoothie component of this colada is comprised of coconut milk, frozen banana, shredded carrots, and the warm spices found in carrot cake. The frozen banana gives the colada a thick consistency, but the banana flavor is out-shined by the other ingredients.
As for the whipped coconut cream, well… it’s exactly what it sounds like! Simply chill a can of full-fat coconut milk until the cream rises to the top, and whip it with a bit of vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy. Voila! Vegan whipped cream.
There may not be any chocolate involved, but I bet Caroline would enjoy this Carrot Cake Colada with Whipped Coconut Cream =).
Congratulations Caroline and Logan!
Carrot Cake Colada with Whipped Coconut Cream
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Keywords: beverage dessert vegan coconut carrots smoothie
Ingredients (1 serving)
for one Colada (can easily be multiplied):
- 1/2 cup chilled coconut milk beverage (from a carton, not a can), well-shaken
- 1 large ripe banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
- 1/2 cup finely chopped ripe pineapple
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot (about 1 large carrot)
- ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to taste
- 3-4 ice cubes
Whipped Coconut Cream:
- 1 can full fat unsweetened coconut milk, well-chilled
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp unrefined granulated sugar
Instructions
Chill the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator until very cold; preferably overnight.
Open the can and scoop out the solidified layer of coconut cream on top; place in the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl). Whip coconut cream using the whisk attachment (or using an electric hand-held mixer) until soft peaks form. Whip in vanilla extract and sugar. Set aside.
Combine all ingredients for the colada in a blender and blend until well-combined. Serve in a tall glass topped with a bit of the whipped coconut cream.
Be sure to check out all of the contributions to Caroline’s virtual baby shower by visiting these links!
Drinks:
Healthy Food For Living – Carrot Cake Colada
Bran Appetit – Strawberry Mint Sparkling Lemonade
Savory:
Baked Bree – Pancetta and Chive Quiche
Simply Whole Kitchen – Mini Quinoa Bites with Goat Cheese Pesto
Pastries:
Food Doodles – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Filled Whole Wheat Cream Puffs
Kevin & Amanda – Baby Cinnamon Buns
Desserts:
Baked by Rachel – Mini Lemon Lime Cheesecakes
Bake Your Day- No Bake Lemon Cheesecakes with Lemon Blueberry Sauce
Eat Good 4 Life – No Bake Mini Raspberry Cheesecakes
Fearless Homemaker – Angel Food Cupcakes with Whipped Vanilla Cream
Itzy’s Kitchen – 10 Grain Chocolate Chip Cookies
Keep It Sweet – Peanut Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Icing and Chocolate Ganache
Texanerin Baking – 100% Whole Grain Chocolate Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Aww, Lauren, you are so sweet! I am sitting here crying from all of these beautiful and thoughtful posts. I seriously need one of these coladas right now. And despite there being no chocolate, it looks simply wonderful!
Thank you so much!!!
Caroline
I just wish we could have thrown the shower for you in person =). Congrats again!!
What a fun shower drink! Love the color.
YUM! This looks delicious! And the perfect drink for a warm spring evening. I’m so glad you participated in the shower so I could be introduced to you!
what a clever idea! i bet it tastes absolutely amazing. will have to try making one soon!
Great drink! I’d never think to use those ingredients together.
I love the color! And the whipped coconut cream. I’m saving this recipe for the summer when it’s too hot to do anything but drink cold beverages. :)
Yum! Banana, pineapple and carrot? That sounds so awesome! I love this idea!
This is awesome, I love the flavors you used! Great to connect through this shower!
I LOVE that you made a carrot themed beverage! So cute!
this looks amazing, i’ve never bought coconut milk, although I see it everywhere. maybe i’ll give it a try when i swing by whole foods.
Perfect for the occasion…Perfect for Springtime! This is really refreshing.
this sounds so delicious and different! i love the color, too – what a fun drink idea!
i’ve been meaning to try coconut cream! and this sounds absolutely delicious, will definitely give it a try :)
What a fun drink! Love the flavors together, and a great alcohol free one for a baby shower.
[...] and other unhealthy additives. But, when made at home, even something that sounds as decadent as Carrot Cake Colada with Whipped Coconut Cream can be good for you! Lauren of Healthy Food for Living whipped this up for a virtual baby shower [...]
O man I can’t wait to try making this at home. Only problem is it’s hard to find coconut milk here. Other then that though I’m all set.
Just be careful coconut milk can sometimes contain carrageenan and this can cause lots of stomach upset. Make sure you get coconut milk without this addictive.
[...] Carrot Cake Colada from Healthy Food for Living [...]
Bananas are radioactive. Please stop eating them! http://chemistry.about.com/b/2011/07/10/bananas-are-radioactive.htm
According to a vsauce episode on youtube, if a certain amount of bananas are eaten, it is equivalent in the amount of radiation to an x-ray.
According to the vsauce episode eating 600 bananas is equivalent to getting a chest x-ray.
This is the vsauce video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE8rkG9Dw4s