This chocolate mousse is the easiest dessert out there so you can quickly whip it up without any stress. No oven, no stove and no fancy kitchen tools, just like this no-cook vegan chocolate pudding!
I'm going to be completely upfront and let you know that the base of this dish is avocado. Now you might be skeptical about the idea of avocado and chocolate together in one dish (stay with me here). While I love both independently, I too wasn’t sure how they would jive together. But, I can honestly say (and my family wholeheartedly agrees) this pudding is so silky, creamy and velvety… it is hard to believe there is no dairy, heavy cream or egg in the ingredient list.
This mousse is full of decadent chocolate flavor and yet it is raw, gluten-free, vegan and refined sugar-free.
So what is in it exactly? Mainly, heart healthy avocado and cacao powder [read about the health benefits here]. Plus, non-dairy milk, vanilla, a touch of sweetness from maple syrup and a pinch of salt. You can garnish the mousse with cacao nibs [read about the health benefits here], dark chocolate shavings, fresh raspberries or strawberries for an elegant presentation that is sure to impress. Or, use it as a dip for fresh fruit such as bananas, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. You can feel good knowing the ingredients in this luxurious mousse (slash pudding) are truly healthful and beneficial.
Below is a quick video showing how easy it is to make this dessert:
If you would like to subscribe to my Eating by Elaine YouTube channel click here. You will receive email update when I upload new recipe videos to my channel. You can also find this chocolate mousse recipe video on YouTube here.
And to give you even more reason to fall in love with this dessert...here are the health benefits of avocado: The amazingly creamy avocado contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and nutrients that actually reduce your cholesterol levels, promote healthy vision and potentially protect against cancer. They contain folate, vitamins E, C, and B6. Plus, they are high in dietary fiber – great for overall heart health and digestion. And, avocados contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas!
If you give this dessert a try, let me know by leaving a comment and rating it! And don’t forget to take a picture and tag it @eatingbyelaine and #eatingbyelaine on Instagram so we can be chocolate buds. Happy early Valentine's Day, friends!
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Instant Vegan Chocolate Mousse
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This instant chocolate mousse is made with nutrient-rich avocado. It is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe avocado, pitted (¾ cup) [chill the avocado in the refrigerator prior to using]
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup unsweetened, plain non-dairy milk [chilled in the refrigerator prior to using]
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon maple syrup [chilled in the refrigerator prior to using]
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch of fine salt
- Optional garnish ideas: homemade coconut whipped cream, vegan dark chocolate shavings or fresh berries
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in mini food processor and process until creamy and smooth. You may need to use a mini spatula to scrape down the edges of the food processor to help get everything incorporated.
- You can enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Notes
Make it a Mint Chocolate Pudding (SO GOOD!): Add ⅛-1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a minty flavor!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Category: dessert
Nadine says
Just made this and it's absolutely delicious! I didn't expect to not taste the avocado at all, but it really tastes so chocolatey 🙂
Elaine Gordon says
Wonderful! So happy to hear it!
Huffie says
Delicious and so easy to make, but it was so thick i had to add more liquid/milk to blend it. Even so the cocoa was so powerful we could only eat a couple of spoonsful. I love it for taste, simplicity and healthy ingredients, but think it needs to be thinned in terms of liquidity and the sheer power of the cocoa.
Elaine Gordon says
I hear you - it is a lot of cocoa powder. It has been awhile since I have made this recipe so I'll retest it this week and let you know if any adjustments are needed. I do know that it tastes MUCH better when chilled as opposed to eating it immediately after blending. Did you chill it before enjoying? That would definitely impact the flavor.
Elaine Gordon says
Okay I retested it and it was fine with the 1/2 cup of cocoa powder but it also works with 1/4 cup and is just as yummy. Just not a super intense chocolate flavor. So really anything between 1/4-1/2 cup cocoa powder will work. I updated the recipe. I also noted the measurement of the avocado itself as that is a factor. Also, make sure your avocado is ripe and soft so that it blends super easy. I hope that helps and I hope you will give it a try again! Thank you for taking the time to provide the feedback! 🙂
Tara says
I am looking to make this but just realized I have cacao not cocoa powder. Do you think it’ll work the same or does it need the cocoa powder?
Elaine Gordon says
Both work - you may want to add a touch more maple syrup with the cacao powder because usually it is not as sweet. It is important in this recipe to use good quality cocoa powder or cacao powder because the chocolate flavor is so strong. My favorite is 365 Whole Foods organic unsweetened cocoa powder. LMK how it turns out for you! 🙂
Tara Brock says
Worked out well! Super excited about this and will be my new go to for a sweet craving!
Elaine Gordon says
Awesome! So happy to hear that, Tara! Thanks for the feedback and rating.
Sarah Brown says
Wow! This is very creamy and delicious! You’d never know it was dairy free. I love it!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you, Sarah! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one. I agree it is deceptively dairy-free for sure! Thx for the five star rating! Best, Elaine
Laura says
Super easy and if you create a big batch, it keeps for a while - ours lasted a week. This will definitely be a staple in our household. 🙂
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you, Laura! I'm so happy to hear you all enjoyed them! Best, Elaine
Jeanne says
The first time I made in a small food processor. Second time I used the blender and loved the consistency. This was pure deliciousness. I kept taking spoonfuls over the course of a few days to fill my sweet tooth!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Jeanne! I'm so happy you enjoyed this one and it fulfilled your sweet tooth! 🙂 Best, Elaine
ashlee says
Is there an alternative for the maple syrup? I want to make this for my dairy free toddler as a treat.
Elaine Gordon says
Hi, Ashlee: You can use any liquid sweetener but they vary in terms of the sweetness and flavor slightly. I prefer maple syrup in this recipe and that is the only one I have tested it with but feel free to experiment. I would not recommend leaving it out as it needs the liquid and the sweetness in order to work here. Best, Elaine
Lou says
Is there a good substitute for the maple syrup? To make this recipe even more sugar-free?
Elaine Gordon says
Any liquid sweetener could work but you need the same liquid volume and approximately the same flavor and level of sweetness.
Ashley @ Big Flavors says
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I went with just 1/4 cup of syrup and it worked out well (my family loves dark chocolate). Even my 13yo son was a big fan. Thanks for the easy and delicious dessert!
Elaine Gordon says
Hi Ashley,
Thank you so much for trying the recipe and for leaving such a sweet comment (and a five-star rating—yay!). I love that you adjusted the sweetness to suit your family’s love for dark chocolate. I’m especially thrilled to hear that your 13-year-old son enjoyed it too—definitely a win!
I really appreciate you sharing your feedback, and I’m so glad this easy dessert was a hit with your family. Hope you make it again soon!
Warmly,
Elaine