Now, this! This! I love these little pots of delightfully smooth, delectable indulgence. I say indulgence because it definitely tastes like it should be loaded with empty calories and sugar, but it’s not.
This healthy chocolate pudding is just that – healthy!
Yes, it contains a tablespoon of maple syrup, but this is partnered with bananas, avocado, almond milk and cacao. The naughtiest part of this whole dish is that it might be a bit high on the calorie side, but those calories are from good fats, so no naughty here.
JUST A FEW OF THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF THIS PUDDING:
Avocados – rich in healthful fats, which protect against diabetes, heart disease and cancer
Bananas – high in tryptophan, which is crucial in the production of serotonin. It moderates our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness. Tryptophan can also enhance sleep.
Cacao – a rich source of mood-enhancing chemicals and anti-oxidants
TO GET THE BEST OUT OF THE INGREDIENTS, HERE ARE SOME GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER:
- Make sure that your avocado is perfectly ripe. If it’s too raw it won’t blend smoothly and if it’s overripe it’ll be papery and will affect the taste.
- Similarly, make sure that your bananas are ripe. The riper they are, the more sweetness you will get from them.
- Make sure you do not forget the salt. This is a game-changer. Salt enhances the sweetness and masks the bitterness of the cacao and truly makes all the difference to this dessert.
- I have specified cacao powder, but you can use cocoa powder. Cacao has a higher nutritional value, but the flavour is similar. Just don’t use a hot chocolate mix, which has had sugar and other ingredients added. Not only would this remove the healthy element, but it would also significantly alter the final product.
This recipe includes the addition of a peanut butter topping. If you’re a fan of peanut butter cups, then this combination will be heaven for you. If you’re not partial to peanut butter, the pudding stands just as strong on its own, topped with a sprinkle of coconut or a raspberry.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding (with a Peanut Butter Shell)
This is a wonderfully simple, guilt-free dessert. It tastes just like chocolate mousse and has a smooth, velvety texture. This vegan delight comes together in 10 minutes and should please even the fussiest palates.
- Prep Time: 15
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Chocolate Pudding
- 2 Medium avocados
- 1 Banana
- ¼ Cup raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup or date paste*
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla essence
- A twist of Himalayan salt
- 2 Tablespoons almond/coconut/oat milk
Peanut Butter Shell
- ¼ Cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
Chocolate Pudding
- Add everything to a food processor or blender
- Blend until smooth and creamy
- Add more dairy free milk if it appears too thick (you’re going for a velvety texture)
- If you prefer it sweeter, add more of your sweetener of choice; if you prefer it richer, add more cacao
- Divide between 6 dessert pots or glasses
- If you’re not adding the peanut top, cover and chill for 1-2 hours and add your desired topping before serving
Peanut Shell
- Mix the peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup thoroughly
- Pour a thin layer on top of each chocolate pot
- Cover and chill for 1-2 hours
Notes
- You can make this ahead of time – it keeps well in the fridge overnight, but is smoother served within 6 hours
- Alternative topping ideas: whipped coconut cream, crushed pistachio, fresh fruit compote, shredded coconut
- * Date paste is an amazing alternative to sugar and I prefer it to maple syrup. For this recipe, you can substitute your maple syrup by replacing with two dates. Soak them in a little warm water (just covered) for 15 minutes before adding, to soften them. This will ensure that they blend smoothly.
Keywords: vegan, healthy, quick, pudding
