Orange Julius Copycat

By Melissa Griffiths of Bless This Mess

One of my favorite recipes in the Blendtec cookbook is banana ice cream. You simply blend frozen bananas until they are the consistency of soft serve ice cream and enjoy. We make this all of the time! I was dreaming of an Orange Julius the other day but didn't feel like I wanted to commit to that many calories just for a drink.

Then I had a "light bulb" moment! If I replaced the ice cream in a traditional Orange Julius with banana ice cream, I'd save a whole lot of calories. Using almond milk also helps. So before I knew it, I had a super clean and healthy Orange Julius recipe that is light on calories, big on taste, and pretty darn good for you. And I've made this recipe every other day for the last two weeks; we just can't get enough.

Using fresh, seasonal oranges makes a huge difference in this recipe. They add so much flavor and sweetness! To quickly "peel" oranges, cut off  a thin slice of peel from the top and the bottom of the orange. Set the orange on its new flat bottom, and then use your knife to slice down the sides right under the peel following the curve of the orange. It's ok if there is a bit of white pith left—it's nothing the Blendtec won't take care of!

Clean and Healthy Orange Julius Copycat

2 oranges, peeled
4 frozen bananas, broken into chunks
2 cups vanilla almond milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Add all of the ingredients to the jar of your Blendtec blender, secure the lid, and blend on the Ice Cream cycle. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash more almond milk and blend again. Pour into 2 large glasses and enjoy right away.  

For more recipes that are quick, healthy, and family-friendly, check out my blog, Bless this Mess. You'll also find lots of good eats, the fun we have raising a dozen backyard chickens, and an honest picture of a happy small town life. You can connect on Facebook and Instagram too!