Summertime and snacking go hand-in-hand, creating small moments of happiness at home and on-the-go. Data from a new poll of Californians, commissioned by Real California Milk, revealed the dairy-based summer snacks that make residents the happiest.
When given the choice between a smoothie or milkshake, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z prefer a smoothie. Baby Boomers are the exception by generation, with 62% preferring the milkshake. When split by gender, 55% of California females prefer a smoothie, while 59% of males prefer a milkshake. More parents (57%) also prefer a smoothie over a milkshake, compared to 45% of non-parents. Among all respondents, when asked which dairy-based beverage is preferred to cool off on a hot day, smoothies ranked first at 46%, with milkshakes at 37%.
“While Americans’ love for milkshakes is strong, it turns out many Californians are making the move towards milk or yogurt based smoothies for a lighter take on a sweet frozen beverage for summer snacking,” said John Talbot, CEO of Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board. “Despite this move, ice cream remains the king of summer snacks, which makes sense in the number one ice cream state.”
The next time your grandkids come for a visit, treat them to the California Milk Advisory Board’s recipe for Mini Unicorn Yogurt Smoothies:
Ingredients:
For the Pink Layer:
1 cup Real California Plain or Vanilla Yogurt
– 1 cup crushed ice
– 1 cup frozen raspberries
– ½ banana
– ¼ cup Real California Milk
For the Purple Layer:
– 1 cup Real California Plain or Vanilla Yogurt
– 1 cup crushed ice
– 1 cup frozen blueberries
– ½ banana
– ¼ cup Real California Milk
– 1 teaspoon blue spirulina powder, optionalFor the Topping:
– 1 cup Real California Heavy Cream
– 2 tablespoons sugar
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
– Orange wedge
– Rainbow sugar sprinkles
– Unicorn sprinkles
Directions:
Prepare the Pink Layer: Add all ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender with a spatula once or twice to make sure everything is incorporated. Pour the mixture into a medium mixing bowl and set in the freezer to chill.
Prepare the Blue Layer: Add all ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender with a spatula once or twice to make sure everything is incorporated. Pour the mixture into a medium mixing bowl and set in the freezer to chill.
Prepare the Whipped Cream: Put the cream in a medium bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
Create the Smoothies: Rub the edge of 4 small cups or jars with the cut orange. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of rainbow sugar sprinkles onto a plate. Dip the tops of the jars into the sprinkles to create a sugar-rimmed glass. Set aside.
Take the smoothie mixtures out of the freezer. Spoon the mixtures into the jars, alternating colors, to create a striped pattern. Spoon the whipped cream on top or use a decorative piping tip to create a whipped cream swirl. Top with additional rainbow sugar sprinkles or unicorn theme sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately.
Yield: 4 (8 ounce) snack-sized smoothies
Recipe Developed By Alison Needham/CA Grown for CMAB
Photo credit: Alison Needham/CA Grown
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