This smoothie has become my new best friend.
You may have heard of Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread or tried it. And if not you need to get on board.
I’ve mentioned my love for the stuff and tried to describe what it tastes like if you haven’t yet been fortunate enough to inhale your own jar(s). Plural.
It’s an imitation of Biscoff Spread which is amazing, too.
I find the TJ’s is a little thicker and slightly stronger in flavor than the Biscoff version, but they are very similar.
However, I am in Aruba.
There is no Trader Joe’s and I’m sure no Biscoff spread to be had here.
But it is a Dutch island and they love their sweet treats and sweet spreads.
Imagine my delight when I saw this Markant Speculaaspasta spread straight from Holland on the local Aruban grocery store shelves.
Cha-ching. Score!
Does the phrase finger-lickin’-good sound about right?
Or eat least spoon-lickin’-good.
It’s ridiculously good and I’m almost wishing that I didn’t know that speculoos = cookies
And I deduced that spasta = spread
Put that together: speculoos + spasta = you’ve got cookie butter spread
I’m sure someone will write to me telling me I am wrong with my translations but I know I am right with the flavor. That’s all that matters.
It’s been my downfall, or windfall on this trip, depending on how you look at it.
Put cookie butter spread together with white chocolate chips and cream and sugar…
And banana
And I’ve got one of the best smoothies I’ve ever made.
To the beachside juice bar smoothie hut place: I do not need your overpriced smoothies.
I can make my own.
And I love them.
I’ve made best of friends with cookie butter in both smoothies and on spoons.
I cannot get enough of this gingerbready, molasses cookie, spready goodness.
I am not exaggerating: Best spread ever. Better than Nutella, better than sunflower seed butter, better than any other spread I’ve ever had. The local Markant Speculaaspasta has more of a gingery kick than the Biscoff or TJ’s cookie butter spread.
In a smoothie with everything else going on and going in, whatever brand spread you use, pretty much the same.
And by the same I mean fabulous because ground up cookies in the form of cookie butter spread and ground up white chocolate chips and powdered sugar…
That’s fabulous in my world.
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Creamy Cookie Butter White Chocolate Banana Smoothie (with vegan and gluten free options)
2 bananas (previously frozen is ideal but not essential)
1/2 c cream or milk (half and half, coconut milk, cream of coconut, or coconut creme concentrate, almond milk, etc. or use water)
1/3 c + white chocolate chips (more if you love white chocolate. Or semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips)
2 tbsp + cookie butter (try the Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter, Biscoff Spread, Markant Brand; or use Peanut Butter, Sunflower Seed Butter, Almond Butter, or other alternative nut butter/spread, i.e Nutella. Use more if you love nut butters. I used closer to 3-4 tbsp)
1/4 c sugar, optional or to taste (I used powdered sugar rather than white but do as you see fit or try honey, agave, sugar, stevia, vanilla NuNaturals stevia drops to taste)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c ice cubes
The remainder is optional (ideas to try if you’re feeling creative or want true decadence):
add a few graham crackers, Biscoff cookies, speculoos cookies (TJ’s has their own version of these also) to the blender before mixing, 1/4 c or thereabouts
1/4 c yogurt (plain or vanilla) to the mixture before blending
1 scoop neutral or vanilla flavored protein powder to the mixture before blending
other spice pinches such as ginger, nutmeg, cardamom
melt 2 tbsp white chocolate chips + 2 tbsp cookie butter (or alternative nut butter) in the microwave for 20 seconds and pour this into a glass (frosty or chilled is ideal) before pouring the smoothie into the glass or top the smoothie with the melted mixture
rim the top of the glass with crushed graham crackers, Biscoff or speculoos cookies (dip top of glass rim in water so crumbs adhere, then dip glass in crushed cookie pile)
top with a handful of white chocolate chips
top with a cookie butter/nut butter drizzle
top with crushed graham crackers/Biscoff/speculoos cookies
top with coconut flakes, granola, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, raisins, chia seeds
Add 1 to 2 ounces Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua, plain/vanilla/marshmallow/cake-flavored vodka or your favorite liquor
Directions: Blend everything in Vita-Mix, Magic Bullet, or blender until smooth.
Yields: Approximately 12 ounces. Store extra in the freezer and remove from freezer long enough to soften before drinking the leftover portion.
To keep vegan, use vegan white chocolate chips, use dark chocolate chips or peanut butter chips, or omit. Use suitable nut milk or water. Biscoff cookies and Biscoff spread are vegan. Take care all other ingredients are suitable for your needs.
To keep gluten free, use a nut butter that is GF such as peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, etc. Use a gluten free cookie that is similar to gingerbread/molasses spice Enjoy Life Brand, make your own GF cookies (google and a plethora of recipes are found), or omit the crushed cookies. Take care all other ingredients do not contain trace gluten and are suitable for your needs.
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I could guzzle this every single day. I love it so much.
But if someone doesn’t love white chocolate, cookie butter spread, sugar, and cream there’s really no hope for them. And they’re reading the wrong blog.
You could make this smoothie with peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Nutella, or any other spread of your choice. But if you can get your hands on any version of cookie butter spread, it’s highly recommended. Yes, hoard it from TJ’s, order online, get creative. Find it.
The sooner you find it, the happier your life will be.
Spread it on crackers, toast, fruit, make cookies with it, make frosting with it.
Make Marshmallow Peanut Butter (Cookie Butter) Double Chocolate Pillowtop Bars with it.
Make a smoothie with it.
Remember the expression finger-lickin’-good at 12:08am when you have an urge for a midnight snack.
I’m pretty familiar with it lately.
Questions:
1. Have you tried Cookie Butter Spread? (TJ’s version, Biscoff brand, or another brand) Do you love it?
2.Do you have a favorite nut butter of all time?
3. Have you made anything with cookie butter spread, Biscoff Spread, Biscoff cookies, etc.?
I made these No Bake Peanut Butter Biscoff Cookie Dough Bites
Originally I made them with Peanut Butter and Biscoff cookies. Now I want to make them with Cookie Butter and Biscoff cookies.
I have more cookie butter spread recipes to share soon, too.
Thanks for the 30 Day Home Fitness Program Giveaway entries
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