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Creamy Orange Julius with hidden carrots is a healthy and refreshing drink for both adults and kids! If you like creamsicles, you’ll love it!
Creamy Orange Julius (with Hidden Carrots!)
Orange Julius was one of the first recipes I memorized as a kid — possibly the very first recipe I learned to make without needing the written recipe (or my mom) in front of me. Growing up, a creamy orange julius was a refreshing smoothie my mom made, and something I always looked forward to enjoying. So, naturally, it didn’t take long for me to memorize the ingredients and process of making it.
My recipe below is an adapted — and healthier! — version of the recipe I learned over 20 (ahem) many years ago. I hope you love it as much as we do!
What You Need to Make Orange Julius
Ingredients
Classic Orange Julius calls for only a few basic ingredients: orange juice (frozen concentrate), milk, water, ice cubes, and one essential flavor–vanilla extract. Yum! (The vanilla flavor is essential in this recipe, so I’m going to warn you right now that if you don’t have vanilla extract, you need to run out and buy it, THEN return to this recipe! Trust me on this one!)
Back when I learned this recipe, we also added 1/4 cup sugar (see? I still remember the recipe!), but I fully believe that the sugar is NOT even necessary now! This recipe is already very sweet from the juice concentrate and sweet (hidden) carrots.
Supplies
A high-powered blender is the best tool for making Orange Julius; however, a hand-held immersion blender or even a food processor could work as well.
Why Add Carrots to Orange Julius?
My version of the classic Orange Julius recipe includes carrots! Since they’re pre-cooked, they are soft and blend easily into the smoothie, adding sweetness as well as a hidden vegetable your kids (and you!) will never notice!
I prefer to use cooked carrots which have been left over from last night’s dinner, so I can add them straight from the fridge to the blender. 🙂 However, if you are pressed for time, or don’t have carrots, you can absolutely make this smoothie without the carrots!
Yield: 2 servings
Creamy Orange Julius with hidden carrots is a healthy and refreshing drink for both adults and kids! If you like creamsicles, you'll love it!
Save RecipeIngredients
- 8-10 baby carrots, cooked to soft and cooled (optional)
- 1/4 can (approximately 3 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 8 ice cubes
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup water, as needed
Instructions
- NOTE: Before starting this recipe, be sure you have already cooked AND cooled the carrots. The rest of the prep will go quickly and if carrots are still warm they will prevent the slushy consistency you want for this drink!
- Add all ingredients except water to a blender. Blend until smooth. If the texture is too thick, slowly add water to get the desired consistency. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
1. IMPORTANT! Before starting this recipe, be sure you have already cooked AND cooled the carrots. The rest of the prep will go quickly and if carrots are still warm they will prevent the slushy consistency you want for this drink! (Ideally, use leftover cooked carrots!)
2. Use any milk of your choice.
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