This sexy little number is perfect for Valentine's Day. It's dairy-free, gluten free, vegan, and a delicious sweet treat with a twist: chocolate mousse with avocado!
Sometimes kitchen experiments turn out horribly wrong the first time around. Recently, I made a batch of vegan, gluten free stuffed mushrooms made with different ingredients than I usually used. They were okay, but really not great. Have you had those it-won't-kill-anyone's-tastebuds-but-let's-never-repeat-that-again type of food experiments?
Other times, I'll get an idea for a recipe in my head and won't be able to stop thinking about it. I'll make it... and its pure HEAVEN. So delicious that you can't wait to make it again...and to share it.
That's what today's Foodie Friday recipe is: absolute decadent yet better-for-you chocolate lover's bliss.
Chocolate Mousse with Avocado
I LOVE chocolate mousse. The creamy, silky texture, the rich chocolate... but when I found out I needed to go easy on the dairy, I thought my chocolate mousse dreams were crushed forever.
But then, I started seeing avocado used in chocolate recipes all over Pinterest. Vegan Chocolate Shakes, Chocolate Avocado Pudding, Chocolate Avocado Brownies... you name it, someone out there has mixed avocado and chocolate together.
I also found several different recipes for Chocolate Mousse with Avocado and decided to try it - with my own slight changes to a Food Network recipe - and I loved it!
A Healthier Chocolate Mousse Recipe
Traditional chocolate mousse contains heavy cream and eggs. I really can't have much of either, so it was important to create a dairy-free version.
Instead of regular chocolate chips, I used vegan chocolate chips, and topped it with a frozen whipped coconut cream instead of heavy whipped cream.
Avocado is truly an amazing substitute for heavy cream and eggs. It's not only healthier, but it lends that creamy rich texture to chocolate recipes with additional health benefits.
And, in case you're wondering: this TASTES just like chocolate, and nothing else. If you mix it well enough in your food processor, you just get the taste and texture of pure delicious creamy rich chocolate - with a secret hidden super fruit weapon!
Avocados are super foods that contain more than 20 vitamins and minerals in each serving. They are low in sugar but high in fiber to help you feel fuller longer. Also, they contain important omega-3 fatty acids which help lower bad cholesterol, as well as tons of potassium which helps control blood pressure.
This chocolate mousse with avocado recipe is silky, creamy, sweet, rich, and indulgent. It's a fabulous dessert to make for Valentine's Day!
This recipe makes between 4-6 servings, depending on how you decide to serve it. You could place a larger amount in individual bowls for four settings, or in shot glasses (shown here).
Topping Ideas
I topped this avocado chocolate mousse with Soy Delicious Whipped Coco Cream and chocolate shavings. Here are some other topping ideas:
- whipped coconut cream from canned coconut milk
- chocolate chips
- fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries
- chopped mint leaves
- shredded coconut
- chopped hazelnuts
Chocolate Mousse with Avocado (DF, GF, Vegan)
Ingredients
- ½ cup dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup almond milk
- 2 large ripe avocados peeled and pitted
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey
Instructions
- In a double boiler or a glass bowl placed over a small pot of water (so the water is just touching the bottom of the bowl), bring water to a low boil over medium heat. Add chocolate chips and whisk until chocolate just begins to melt a little, and then slowly add almond milk. Turn off heat and whisk together chocolate and almond milk until the mixture is smooth and all the chocolate is fully melted. Remove bowl, place on heatproof counter top, and set aside to cool slightly.
- Add avocado, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and agave nectar (or honey) to a food processor. Add melted chocolate. Process until the mixture is blended and smooth.
- Spoon into serving cups and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Notes
This recipe is adapted from the Food Network
Have you made chocolate recipes with avocado before? What would YOU use as your preferred topping for this avocado chocolate mousse?
More Valentine's Day Recipes
Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse Shots
20 Delicious Valentine's Day Desserts and Drinks
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Rimsha says
I love how you've taken something so rich and turned it into a healthier option that still tastes great! :)
ruthie ridley says
This looks amazing!! Would have never thought to add avocado!!
Create/Enjoy says
That sounds easy! Glad it turned out well! I learned to make chocolate mousse with eggs at my summer French camp as a kid but it is a lot of work! When I was raw vegan I had some avocado mousse once but I don't think it had any chocolate chips or really sweet things in it and I remember it not being that good. ;) This looks and sounds excellent though!
Meagan says
this looks amazing!!
Adriana Lopez Martn says
This recipe is so good that has become a classic. I am an avocado lover myself so I make this pudding very often. Thanks for sharing yoru tips =)
Bill Volckening says
I've heard of this idea before, and it sounds great. Now I'll really have to try it.
Lala says
WOW! I definitely have to try this! I've made avocado shakes, but not with chocolate. Mmmmmm!
Pam says
I've been seeing a lot of avocado and chocolate recipes lately. My granddaughter is dairy free so this is a great dessert for me to make her.
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
Great substitute! I've made vegan chocolate cakes with avocado, and you don't even taste the avocado. I'm keeping this idea stashed away - it's so hard to come up with dairy free dessert ideas when we host Kosher dinners.
Mary at Vindulge says
This is so fascinating. I, too, have seen TONS of avocado recipes used in things like smoothies, etc. and have yet to try any. And at least a couple times a year my husband loves to make me chocolate pot de creme, essentially custard or a thicker style mousse, which is LOADED with eggs, heavy cream. You know, super healthy stuff ;) ... hence why we only eat it once or twice a year.
I'm truly intrigued with this combination. I think I'm gonna give it a whirl this weekend. I'd love to find an indulgent creamy chocolate treat that is easier on the tummy ;)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Mary, I made it again yesterday and let it cool for a longer period of time in the fridge, and the consistency was like a delicious indulgent chocolate pot de creme! SO GOOD! I'm addicted to this :) If you try it let me know how it goes and if you have any questions!
Mary at Vindulge says
Alright, so I made these yesterday and they were awesome! I'm honestly a bit shocked! I used milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet, because I just generally prefer that sweeter flavor and nobody in my house has any dairy issues. I wish I would have used regular milk instead of almond, but only because I'm just not a fan of the almond milk flavor and it comes through a little bit (again, this is because we have no dairy issues).
But overall the texture is amazing! It tastes so rich yet doesn't have all of the yolks and heavy cream like the traditional alternative. I loved it! We'll definitely be making it again :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
YAY Mary! So happy to hear it turned out well. I don't even taste the almond at all, but then again, I have almond milk regularly :) It's a little dangerous now, isn't it? *insert wicked laugh here* Now you can make them all the time like I do! ;)
Logan says
Yum! This looks so delicious! I can't believe it has avocados in it! I am just intrigued enough to try it!
logancan.com
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I've had many failed kitchen attempts but I guess that's part of the fun of it. So when you finally get it right it's like YEAH. I've seen a lot of chocolate and avocado recipes as well. I actually tried to make one of my own that I wasn't totally happy with. This one looks pretty easy and tasty so I need to try it soon.
Bella says
Yummy, this looks so good. I love chocolate mouse!! I need to try making this.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
I love this! I'm not vegan, and I do eat dairy, but I normally only make desserts for company... and the idea of serving raw eggs to other people (even if I'd eat it myself) makes me nervous! How clever!
Megan Marlowe says
I was skeptical a few years ago when people started putting avocado in desserts...until I tried it. Works like a charm and the kids never have to know. These mousse cups look delicious and perfect for Valentine's day which is right around the corner!
hal says
this looks amazing - i am totally going to try it!
Sara | Modern Little Victories says
I keep seeing so many chocolate recipes with avocado lately but I've yet to try any of them. These sound so good though I may have to finally give into the avocado dessert train!
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms says
This looks so good! I bet the avocado makes it so smooth!
Pech says
Very clever with the avocado!
Daniela Anderson says
I must confess l was intrigued at first when l saw so many dessert recipes out there that were using avocado, l was wondering what the taste would be. I love chocolate mousse myself, and this vegan one sounds amazingly creamy and delicious. I only tried the vegan version with aquafaba, but l need to give this one a go too.
Atzimba Pahua says
I've heard about mousse with avocado but haven't found a good recipe to try until now! Saving this one for sure! :)
xo atzi
blossomandbalance.com
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
It is awesome how avocados make desserts like this so creamy. This is the perfect treat, and the fact it is healthy is great. I feel good feeding something like this to my grandkids....simple nutrition not full of unknown ingredients.
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says
I've never tried avocado chocolate mousse, but it sounds delicious and easy to make. I really should start subbing avocado for dairy products. They are a much healthier option.
Julie says
This mousse looks delicious! I love avocados and I'm trying to eat healthier, so I'm pinning it for later!
Kathy McDaniel says
I love avocados and adding them into desserts is a great idea as they add creaminess and a lot less calories. Not to mention you can make something as rich as mousse into a delicate vegan dessert. Delicious!!!!
Hanady | Recipe Nomad says
My friend makes a killer avocado fudge that I just can't get enough of! I'll have to make this the next time we get together- she'll be totally impressed!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Ooh avocado fudge sounds amazing too! Thanks!
Melissa Chee says
The perfect Valentine's Day treat? :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Yes! And perfect treat for every day that ends in "y" ;) Thanks Melissa!
Byron Thomas says
I've been wanting to try avocado-based chocolate desserts for quite some time now, but I'm always a little weary because my family is very anti-avocado. I love it myself, but they don't like the creamy/buttery texture. Does that texture manifest in the mousse or is the mousse more creamy like pudding?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
That's me to a T, Byron - I am the only one who likes avocado in my house. The kids didn't notice any difference in texture or taste. The very first time I made this, I didn't have enough of a chocolate-to-avocado ratio, and the texture was off. I've since made it a few times, and this is the recipe that works best for me. I think if you make sure you process it long enough to a silky smooth texture (which really doesn't take long at all, maybe a minute or two). How long you keep it in the fridge also changes the denseness of it, so the last time I made this, I kept it in the fridge for a couple of hours and it was more like a beautiful, thick, rich and decadent pot de creme.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I pinned this to my Valentine's Day board! Avocado Chocolate Mousse is the best!
GiselleR @ ExSloth.com says
I'm always down for anything with avocado and chocolate - not usually together but this is one of my fave ways to make chocolate pudding/mousse. I have no idea who decided that mixing avo and chocolate together would be a good idea but I'm so freaking glad they did!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I have never used avocado in any sweeter dishes and I am very limited with what I make with them. I need to start expanding my avocado use. The mousse looks wonderful and its a great option for vegan desserts.
Anne Murphy says
LOL, I do know about the recipes that just don't quite work - I'm recovering from one of them at the moment! But yes, the payback is the recipe that springs perfect from one's mind, and just needs a last tweak or two.
That does look intriguing... so rich and lovely! I also have seen a few versions, and wondered... I may need to try this.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
I could absolutely get behind eating this! Avocados are great for this, They add such a lovely richness!
Jakob Boman says
Wow... My girlfriend and I tried them yesterday and they were delicious.
Our guests love them and they were so fast to make.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
So glad to hear that, Jakob!! Thank you so much for trying them out and letting me know how they turned out!
Genevia says
This is the ultimate mouse for us vegans. Avocado is nutritious and has a distinct flavor. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and I can't wait to try it.