A warm cup of coffee, a cold berry smoothie, and a few ingredients you can keep on hand: breakfast can start with something simple. These two recipes bring a little variety to the morning without requiring much preparation or a long shopping list.
The caramel coffee features Naked Nutrition’s Caramel Collagen Protein, while the mixed berry smoothie combines frozen fruit with its Vanilla Whey Protein. Make either one to accompany breakfast, depending on what sounds good that morning.
Both recipes are easy to adjust. Keep the coffee hot or pour it over ice, choose your favorite combination of berries, and use the milk you already have in the refrigerator.
Simple Ingredients, Two Different Recipes
Naked Nutrition’s approach centers on keeping ingredient lists short so customers can see what they are consuming. Both powders featured here list three ingredients.
The Caramel Collagen Protein lists bovine hide collagen peptides, natural flavors, and fermented cane sugar (Reb-M). It brings the caramel flavor to the coffee recipe, with milk added separately for creaminess.
The Vanilla Whey Protein lists grass-fed whey protein concentrate, organic coconut sugar, and natural vanilla. In the smoothie, vanilla complements the berries while banana adds sweetness and body.
Caramel Collagen Coffee
This recipe starts with regular brewed coffee and adds caramel collagen powder and a splash of milk. There is no separate caramel syrup in the base recipe, so taste the finished drink before deciding whether you want any additional sweetness.
Makes: 1 drink
Estimated preparation time: 5 minutes, with coffee already brewed
Ingredients
- ¾ cup freshly brewed coffee, about 6 fluid ounces
- 1 level scoop Caramel Collagen Protein, using the scoop included in the container
- ¼ cup milk of choice
- A small pinch of ground cinnamon, optional
How to Make It
- Brew the coffee. Prepare your usual coffee and pour it into a large mug, leaving room for the milk.
- Mix in the collagen. Gradually add the caramel collagen powder while stirring. Use a small whisk or handheld frother to help incorporate it, keeping the frother head submerged to avoid splashing.
- Add the milk. Warm the milk separately, then pour it into the coffee. For a foamy finish, froth the milk before adding it.
- Finish and taste. Add a small pinch of cinnamon if you like, stir, and adjust the milk to your preference.
Easy Variations
- Iced caramel coffee: Mix the collagen into the warm coffee first. Let it cool, then pour over ice and add cold milk.
- Decaf: Use the same amount of brewed decaf coffee.
- A creamier cup: Increase the milk to ½ cup, keeping in mind that this will soften the coffee and caramel flavors.
- Less milky: Reduce the milk to 2 tablespoons for a more coffee-forward drink.
For the first batch, keep the additions simple. Coffee strength and milk choice will affect the finished flavor, so adjust those before adding another sweetener.
Mixed Berry Protein Smoothie
Frozen berries make this smoothie easy to prepare without washing, chopping, or keeping several kinds of fresh fruit on hand. Use a bag of mixed berries or combine whatever you have in the freezer.
Strawberries and blueberries make a good starting point, with raspberries or blackberries adding more tartness. A little banana rounds out the fruit, while vanilla whey gives the recipe its vanilla flavor.
Makes: 1 large smoothie
Estimated preparation time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice, plus more as needed
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- ½ medium ripe banana, fresh or frozen
- 2 level scoops Vanilla Whey Protein, using the scoop included in the container
How to Make It
- Start with the liquid. Pour the milk into the blender.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Add the whey protein, banana, and frozen berries.
- Blend until combined. Blend for about 30-60 seconds, or until the fruit is fully broken down. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed.
- Adjust the consistency. If the smoothie is too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time and blend again.
- Taste and serve. Taste before adding anything else. If your berries are especially tart, blend in another small piece of ripe banana. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Easy Variations
- With almond butter: Add 1 tablespoon almond butter for a richer smoothie with a nutty flavor.
- Without banana: Replace the banana with ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt. The result will be less sweet, so adjust after tasting.
- With fresh berries: Use the same quantity of fresh berries and add a few ice cubes for a colder, thicker drink.
- As a smoothie bowl: Start with ¾ cup milk, adding more only as needed to blend. Spoon into a bowl and top with berries and granola.
Using plant-based milk changes the liquid base, but the smoothie still contains dairy from the whey protein.
Small Prep Steps for Easier Mornings
Portion the berries and banana into individual freezer containers so they are ready to tip into the blender. Add the milk and protein powder when you are ready to make the smoothie.
For the coffee, keep the collagen powder near your coffee supplies and measure the milk while the coffee brews. If you prefer the iced version, allow time for the coffee to cool before assembling it.
Neither recipe needs an elaborate finish. A favorite mug, a glass of berry smoothie, and breakfast alongside can be enough to make an ordinary morning feel a little more considered.
