(GAPS Diet, Primal, Grain-Free, Probiotic)

This creamy probiotic pumpkin pie smoothie is packed with brain healthy fats and will satisfy any craving without the crash or guilt of unhealthy ingredients. Packed with kefir cream, honey, pumpkin, and spices, this GAPS diet approved smoothie is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or just a satisfying snack. Our kids have been making this recipe almost every day this week!

2 cups of probiotic pumpkin pie smoothie with kefir cream in 2 cups on table

Health Benefits of Smoothies

Smoothies are definitely a staple in our home for both meals and snacks, as they are a great way to add in minerals, vitamins, probiotics, healthy fats, and protein in one delicious recipe. This probiotic pumpkin pie smoothie tastes like a traditional pumpkin pie dessert, and I love that my children are enjoying it as a staple. See this recipe for another of our favorite probiotic GAPS smoothies (only 3 ingredients!).

What is Kefir Cream?

Some call cultured cream, sour cream, or crème fraiche. In essence, it is fermented cream, similar to how yogurt is fermented milk. Home-fermented dairy is much easier to digest than commercial dairy products and can often be consumed even by those with dairy sensitivities. We use our home-fermented kefir cream and milk kefir in recipes such as ice cream, dips- like this creamy artichoke dip, soups, smoothies, cake frosting, and desserts. Even those of us with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities can have our cream and eat it too!

pumpkin puree and kefir cream dollop in a bowl with immersion blender

For more information about home-fermented, lactose-free milk kefir, and how to cure a dairy sensitivity using the GAPS Diet see this post.

Health Benefits of Kefir Cream

It is important to choose cream from pasture raised cows who use organic practices, if possible. Raw milk from healthy cows contains a much richer nutrient profile than commercially available pasteurized and homogenized milk. Our family feels comfortable consuming home fermented dairy products made from raw milk. If you want to find a local farmer with raw milk, check your local Weston Price Chapter. If you cannot source raw milk directly from a farmer, use pasture raised, organic cream from the store. Try to avoid anything ultra pasteurized. Kefir cream contains B vitamins, biotin, vitamin K2, and active enzymes. For more information about the science behind fermented dairy (and even how to potentially cure a dairy allergy), see this post.

What is the difference between milk kefir and kefir cream?

Milk kefir is made by fermenting milk, using kefir grains. For more information on buying grains and step by step instructions for making your first batch, see this post.

Kefir cream is made by fermenting cream, using a bit of kefir as the “starter”.

How to Make Kefir Cream?

(Or cultured cream, crème fraiche, sour cream…)

Combine 1 quart of raw or organic, pasture-raised cream and 1/2 cup of milk kefir in a jar with an airtight lid
Shake the jar to combine
Allow the jar of cream to ferment at room temperature for 24 hours until thick and creamy

Probiotic Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe