Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

This is like dessert in a cup.  Don’t let the name ‘smoothie’ make you think otherwise.

 I like my smoothies sweet, rich, and thick.

If you’re looking for a way to make something that tastes like drinkable pumpkin pie filling, then this is the hot ticket.

It incorporates what I think are the “good parts” of pumpkin pie: the filling and the whipped topping

Minus the boring part: the pie crust

I find pumpkin pie crusts tend to be so lackluster and bland unless they happen to be made with graham cracker crumbs (or almond flour + lots of agave which is how I make my Pumpkin Pie (no-bake, Vegan, GF) but I digress.

Back to this smoothie…

Note the darker part near the top of the smoothie underneath the Cool Whip, that’s caramel sauce.  Crazy good.

For those who don’t like pumpkin pie, then make this smoothie instead.  Rum optional but encouraged on that one.  You could probably put rum in today’s smoothie, too.  Hmmm.

For the pumpkin lovers and hoarders, this smoothie is for you.

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Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

1/2 c pumpkin puree (ideally freeze 1/2 c pumpkin puree either in a container or if you want to get fancy in an ice cube tray, but previously frozen pumpkin puree is encouraged)

1 medium banana (previously frozen, in 1-2 inch chunks)

1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup, or to taste (optional)

1 to 2 tbsp, caramel sauce, or to taste (optional, and you can add it to the mixture or drizzle over the top of the finished smoothie)

1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar, or to taste (optional)

1/8 tsp pinch pumpkin pie spice

1/8 tsp cinnamon (to taste, optional)

pinch of other seasonings such as nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, etc. (to taste, optional)

1/8 tsp vanilla extract (to taste, optional)

splash of milk, cream, nut milk, water (optional and only use as needed if you need something to help get the blending process going if your mixture is too thick otherwise)

Directions: Combine all ingredients into a Vita-Mix or blender of your choice and blend.  Serve immediately.   Optional: Garnish with Cool Whip, caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon; add a handful of granola to the top, or drizzle the top with nut butter like almond, sunflower seed butter, or peanut butter.

Notes:

I didn’t use all of the sweeteners but am providing options/suggestions, i.e. maple, caramel sauce, brown sugar, and Cool Whip.  Do as your taste palate dictates.

You will notice lots of “to taste, optional” in this recipe because all spices, seasonings, and amounts are to taste and pumpkin pie and the spices and sweetness levels associated with it vary widely.  Do as your taste palate and preferences dictate.  I am sharing the recipe based on what I did and liked.

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This smoothie will keep you full for a good, long while

And you can convince yourself this is “healthy” because it has the name ‘smoothie’ in the recipe title.

All kidding aside, if you hold or reduce the sweeteners, the caramel sauce, and the whipped topping (below), it’s actually pretty healthy.  Pumpkin puree and bananas are a healthy starting place.  It’s what you do with them next.  Ahem.

It’s everything else you pile on that takes things into dessert-like territory, which I happen to enjoy.

And if you’d prefer a hot dessert a hot pumpkin beverage, try a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (vegan, GF)

Want to eat your pumpkin dessert rather than drink it?

I gotcha.

Try Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (vegan, GF)

Clearly, I’ve jumped on the pumpkin bandwagon in all forms this year.  I even have a Pumpkin Board on Pinterest.

Christmas baking season better hurry up and come so I can phase out pumpkin and phase in peppermint.

Questions:

1. Do you like pumpkin pie/pumpkin?  Caramel Sauce?  Cool Whip?

Yeppers.  I like them all.

I didn’t used to be the biggest pumpkin lover but these Pumpkin Peanut Butter Oat Bars (Vegan, GF) were the nail in the coffin that sealed the pumpkin’ lovin’ for me.

Those, or the homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Vegan, GF), did the trick.

And caramel, hello.  Love it. Caramel Apple Bars

or Homemade Dark Rum Caramel Sauce.  Get drunk and get your sweet tooth handled all in one

And Cool Whip.  Oh, I love you so.  I actually have a recipe up my sleeve with it to be posted soon.

2. Are you sick of pumpkin yet?

Sorry if you are or were never that big of a fan to begin with.

It is everywhere, that’s for sure.  But hey, it’s only 6 weeks or so of the year and then peppermint starts.  <– Ready for that?

Thanks for the Not Nuts! Giveaway entries