Jack-o-Lantern Smoothie

Need a quick, easy, and delicious snack that celebrates pumpkin? Try this sweet, refreshing smoothie that tastes just like pumpkin pie. Kids will love to help by measuring the ingredients, adding them to the blender, and working those blender buttons. This recipe also includes some optional frozen cauliflower for an extra veggie-boost. If you want to make the smoothie even more festive for Halloween, instructions on how to create easy Jack-O-Lantern cups are below. ​

This recipe was developed by Heather Staller, a mom of two boys, ages 6 and 4, and cooking instructor specializing in bringing cooking into preschool classrooms. After college, Heather knew she wanted to be a teacher, but first followed her lifelong dream of going to culinary school. Teaching cooking combines both of her passions, and she truly enjoys introducing young children to the joys of cooking with fresh ingredients. Find Heather on Instagram (@heather.happykidskitchen), where she shares inventive kid-friendly recipes and ideas for cooking with kids at home.

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Jack-o-Lantern Smoothie

Makes 3 8-ounce smoothies
Ingredients

• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, homemade or canned
• 1 banana, frozen
• 1/2 cup frozen riced cauliflower (optional)
• 1/3 cup plain Greek, regular, or dairy-free yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or additional cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 1 pitted date
• 1/2 cup milk (any kind)
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Add additional milk to make a thinner smoothie or blend in more ice to thicken the smoothie.
2. Pour into cups and serve with a fun, reusable straw.

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How to Make Jack-O-Lantern Cups
You can make Jack-O-Lantern cups two ways:

1. If using a plastic cup, draw a jack-o-lantern face directly onto the cup with a black marker. Sharpie permanent markers seems to work best.
   
2. If using a glass jar or cup, cut triangle “eyes” and a mouth shape out of black construction paper. Use tape or a glue stick to attach the paper to the glass (the paper easily peels off and glue washes off).

Want some great products that teach kids to learn to love veggies?
Check out our shop for kid-safe knives, interactive placements, and veggie-themed activity boxes!