Gingerbread Protein Shake

Name: Gingerbread Protein Shake
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1 cup frozen coffee ice cubes (or regular ice); 1/2 frozen banana (optional); 1/2 cup milk (or water or dairy-free alternative); 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use whey); 1 tsp almond butter; 1 tsp molasses; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; Pinch of nutmeg and cloves; Optional topping of whipped cream & a gingerbread cookie

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Enjoy the taste of a spiced gingerbread cookie in this protein-packed smoothie! With pantry staples and 3 minutes, you can create this delicious shake that tastes like a dessert, yet is packed with protein and healthy fats. It is gluten-free and easily dairy-free or vegan.

gingerbread protein shake topped with whipped cream and a gingerbread man cookie.

This Gingerbread Protein Shake tastes like a holiday cookie! Yet it is a great way to consume 20-30 grams of protein plus healthy fats. Vanilla protein powder, gingerbread spices, and frozen coffee create the delicious familiar flavor of an iced gingerbread latte.

Prepared in 3 minutes from pantry staples, this gingerbread cookie protein shake is a great snack for when you need a quick pick-me-up during the holiday season with a classic gingerbread flavor!

Enjoy as an energizing healthy smoothie, post-workout shake, or booze it up by adding your favourite alcohol for a cozy frozen drink. Keep reading to learn just how easy it is to make your favorite cookie in a protein shake.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredient Notes
Substitutions
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Serve
Make Ahead & Storage
Batching
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
More Smoothie Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

So much festive flavour! Tastes like an iced gingerbread latte from the coffee shop, yet is healthy enough for breakfast.
Healthy yet tastes like a dessert.
Espresso gives you energy for the day ahead!
A filling snack. Packed with 20-30 g protein and healthy fats.
Made with pantry staples in 3 minutes.
Perfect for breakfast, post-workout, snack or dessert.
Easily gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Omit the almond butter for nut-free too.

Want more smoothie ideas? You'll also like this peppermint mocha protein shake, cinnamon roll protein shake, apple pie protein smoothie, peach cobbler protein shake, and blackberry strawberry banana smoothie.

Ingredient Notes

Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this gingerbread protein shake recipe:

ingredients to make a gingerbread protein shake.

This smoothie will have the coldest, creamiest texture if you freeze some cold brew into cubes overnight. If you don't though, that's okay. Throw in a few ice cubes to chill the smoothie.

Frozen banana: I like the creaminess that a little banana adds to this smoothie. If you don't like banana, just add more ice to make the smoothie cold.
Vanilla protein powder: I like to use whey, but vegan protein will work too. I like to use the premier protein vanilla milkshake whey protein powder. Protein powder is the best way to increase your protein intake.
Milk or water: Use dairy-free if required.
Almond butter: This makes the shake creamy and forms almond milk when blended with water. You could also use peanut butter or cashew butter.
Molasses: For extra sweetness and that gingerbread flavor.
Vanilla extract & spices: The perfect gingerbread blend of warm spices.
Ice or frozen coffee: Freeze your favorite cold brew into cubes for even more flavor!
Optional topping of whipped cream & a gingerbread cookie

Optional Ingredients

Amp up the nutrition of this protein smoothie recipe with any of your favourite add ins! Try some of these for health benefits:

Greek yogurt: 1-2 large tablespoons. Or if you're vegan try almond milk yogurt or coconut yogurt.
Collagen powder
Chia seeds: Blend them in. Start with 1 tablespoon and increase to 2 if desired.
Flax Seeds: 1-2 tablespoons
Oats: Try adding 2-4 tablespoon of hearty oats. Use rolled or quick oats.
Spinach: 1 large handful.
Pure maple syrup or honey if you like it sweeter.
Frozen fruits like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc. Be sure to increase the water amount if adding more fruit. Note that this will impact the flavor of the smoothie.

Substitutions

There are many ways to change up this smoothie depending on your mood. Here are some substitution suggestions:

Use frozen cold brew! Instead of plain ice, use frozen cold brew cubes for coffee flavor.
Use chocolate protein powder. For chocolate gingerbread flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoon cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. Or simple a scoop of protein powder in chocolate flavor.
Gluten-free. Use a gluten free gingerbread cookie or simply don't top with one.
Dairy-free or vegan. Substitute the milk with your vegan choice if you prefer. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc. Ensure your protein powder is also vegan.
Add booze. 1-2 oz baileys, vodka, or chocolate liqueur are my picks for a delicious frozen cocktail!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.

(1) Add all ingredients to the bucket of a high-speed blender.

(2) Blend for 30-60 seconds until it's a creamy smoothie.

left: ingredients in a blender, right: blender blending smoothie.

(3) Pour into a glass.

(4) Top with whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie if you wish. Enjoy immediately!

left: pouring a smoothie into a glass, right: smoothie with whipped cream and a gingerbread man.

How to Serve

There are many ways to enjoy this healthy gingerbread smoothie. Here are some suggestions:

Enjoy as a healthy breakfast or snack on the go.
Make a blended cocktail by blending in 1-2 oz baileys, vodka, or chocolate liqueur.
Enjoy at brunch with some of these delicious recipes:

Gluten-free breakfast casserole
4 ingredient vegan pancakes
Gluten-free cheese scones
Gluten-free english muffins
Gluten-free bagels
If you like hot drinks, try this healthier gingerbread latte or healthier peppermint mocha.

Check out more breakfast recipes and Christmas recipes!

Make Ahead & Storage

Note that this smoothie recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. It should not be made ahead of time, nor stored for later.

Batching

If you're hosting a crowd of people, this gingerbread smoothie is easy to scale up (depending on your blender capacity). Double the recipe for two large smoothies or 4 smaller smoothies.

top view of a smoothie in a glass topped with whipped cream and a gingerbread man.

Expert Tips

Here are some of my top tips and tricks for a successful smoothie:

Use a frozen element. Whether it's simply ice, frozen banana, or frozen cold brew cubes. This will result in the coldest, thickest, creamiest smoothie.
Add the liquid slowly. You can always add more to thin it out.
Use a high-powered blender. My two favourite investments are the ZWILLING ENFINIGY power blender or the Vitamix E310.
Blend for 30-60 seconds until thoroughly pulverized.
Add extra nutritional benefits with chia seeds, flax seeds, collagen powder, spinach, etc.
Top with whipped cream and gingerbread cookies for some fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this smoothie vegan?

Yes, if you use vegan protein powder and dairy-free milk such as unsweetened almond milk.

I don't like coffee. Can I still make this smoothie?

Simple omit the frozen cold brew cubes and use ice instead.

What is the best blender for this smoothie?

My two favourite blenders are the ZWILLING ENFINIGY power blender or the Vitamix E310. They are an investment but it's so worth it to have a high quality blender.

close up of a gingerbread man in a pile of whipped cream on top of a shake.

This festive gingerbread smoothie is perfect for breakfast, post-workout, or just a mid-day snack! It's the perfect drink for the Christmas season. It's made with simple ingredients and blends up quickly so you can get enjoying this holiday recipe!

More Smoothie Recipes

More Drinks

See more Cocktail Recipes →

Have you made this gingerbread protein smoothie? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!