One of the first healthy desserts I ever made was Chocolate Avocado Pudding – it's a holistic nutritionist's classic dessert in my opinion! It was my favourite treat when I wanted comfort food while studying nutrition back in 2006 and over the years I've created a few different versions (from orange to goji berry ). And another one of those versions can be found in my first cookbook, Joyous Health!
This Chocolate Maca Avocado pudding is loved by all! The day we took these photos, Vienna and Walker gobbled it right up – so it's safe to say that it's definitely kid- and hubby-approved. If you're nervous giving maca to a child, just keep in mind the amount per serving is relatively low but if you feel unsure about it, you can omit the maca powder.
Aside from how healthy and yummy this dessert is, the other reason I love it because it's just so easy.
Whether you want a super fast dessert for one or you're entertaining a crowd, this recipe is a winner!
Avocados and raw cacao may seem like an odd pairing but they work together superbly well. The good fat and creaminess of the avocado combined with the richness of raw cacao become a heavenly texture – somewhere between a mousse and a pudding. And since maca and chocolate are also magical together, it only made sense to create a Chocolate Maca Pudding.
I've written about the health benefits of maca (aka Peruvian Ginseng) before in my Maca Hot Chocolate recipe post, Maca Freeze Fudge (you MUST try!) and of course my famous Sexy Maca Balls – if you haven't tried those balls yet, you won't be disappointed :)
Here's a super quick recap:
Maca is best known for its adaptogenic qualities. This means it helps the body adapt and recover during or after stressful situations because it nourishes the glands that take a beating during stress. It's also been known to support hormonal health particularly balancing of the sex hormones including testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. It's also rich in polysaccharides, which enrich the microbiome – and you already know how important this is in health and disease!
I'm using New Chapter's Fermented Maca for this recipe because superfoods are better when they are fermented. They nourish the gut ecology and their nutrients are amplified when fermentation happens. Fermentation transforms foods into next-level amazingness! You can buy this product at most health food stores or online at Well.ca, Amazon or Thrive Market.
This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based and refined sugar-free.
It's incredibly yummy, in fact, so yummy that you'll want to lick the bowl!
Desserts
Chocolate Maca Avocado Pudding
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Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados, de-pitted
- 3 dates, pits removed and soaked in hot water for 10 minutes.
- 3 tbsp real maple syrup
- 2 tsp non-dairy milk
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
- 1 tsp maca powder
Instructions
- Discard water from soaked dates.
- In a food processor, place avocados, dates, maple syrup, non-dairy milk, raw cacao powder and maca powder. Blitz until completely smooth and creamy.
- Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge to chill for a few hours. Top with fresh fruit of your choice.
Notes
Serves 2 generously or 3. Top with fresh fruit.
I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your home, too. I promise you won't be disappointed with this classic and absolutely memorable dessert. Heck, it's oh-so-good for you, you can even enjoy it as a mid-afternoon snack!
Let me know what you think!
Enjoy friends,
Joy xo
Hi Joy, This recipe looks great! I already have regular Maca powder at home. Will it still work and taste as good ?
ReplyYes definitely!
Made it right away and loved it!!!
ReplyYay! Awesome so glad to hear you loved it Larena!
My husband loves pudding so I thought I’d try this recipe in effort to swing him over to a healthier version. He and we loved it!! Thank you Joy❤️
ReplyYay! So happy it was a winning recipe :)
What food processor do you use? Looking to make my first purchase of one.
ReplyI have the benefit of using two because I have one at home and one in my studio kitchen where I do all my recipe development. I like both Kitchen Aid and Breville. The Kitchenaid is easier to clean, it's easier to handle and lightweight. The Breville is super heavy duty though and could chew up a phone. It really depends on your budget because they are vastly different. You can't go wrong with either!
I made it today, and it was super yummy! A healthy treat that isn't difficult to make. Happy I had all the ingredients on hand already.
ReplyGlad to hear you enjoyed this delicious treat!
Hi Joy I'm looking forward to making this. I have a product with combined cacao and maca. Would I still use the same ingredient amounts for the cacao?
ReplyYes that should work! You can't really mess up this recipe :)
Ilove thi pudding . Ilove chocolate and maca together. I had this for my birthday instead of the usual cake and everybody loved it. PS. I have had yhe Maca fudge freeze and it wonderful. It was the first thing I made when Ibought your book. Ihave all three and they are amazing.
ReplyThat's a perfect treat instead of birthday cake!! Glad you enjoyed the freezer fudge too!