Chocolate Banana Yogurt Smoothie

I make this on the mornings when I want chocolate but don't want to turn on the oven. It is one of those drinks that tastes like dessert and still sits comfortably as a snack, and the trick is almost all in the banana.

Bananas are one of the few fruits that get noticeably creamier as they ripen and then freeze. The starch turns to sugar as the peel spots, and once frozen, the flesh thickens into something close to soft-serve. That is why this drink feels so frosty and thick without any ice. If you only have fresh bananas, add a handful of ice cubes, but expect a thinner, more watery glass. Keep a few overripe bananas peeled and frozen in a bag for exactly this purpose.

Cocoa powder is the other quiet hero here. Unsweetened cocoa has a deep, slightly bitter flavor that needs very little help, which is why the small amount of sugar substitute is enough. Taste before you add more sweetener. The cold mutes sweetness, so a drink that tastes just right in the blender can seem flat once it is chilled. The vanilla rounds out the chocolate and makes the whole thing taste richer than the ingredient list suggests.

Greek yogurt gives body and a little tang, which keeps the chocolate from tasting heavy. Plain nonfat works well. If you want it even silkier, let the blender run a full minute longer than you think you need. Scrape down the sides once if the frozen banana pieces cling to the walls.

Leftovers are not really a thing with this one. It separates after about an hour in the fridge, so I drink it right away or pour it into a jar and give it a good shake. I don't recommend freezing it as a batch, because it turns icy. If you want a make-ahead version, freeze the banana and cocoa together in a bag, then add the liquids when you are ready.

For something to eat alongside, a handful of nuts or a small slice of toast with peanut butter balances the sweetness. If you want a fuller breakfast, try a Creamy Peach Almond Milk Smoothie on another morning for a fruitier change, or make a batch of Frozen Banana and Pineapple Dessert when you want something to eat with a spoon.