Can you believe there are only 64 days until Christmas! And this year I am sharing a series of healthy, mouthwatering holiday dessert recipes to help you nourish your body and stay on track with your health and wellness goals over the silly season. Ready? Let's cook it together!
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This healthy version of traditional chocolate dairy mousse uses whole, unprocessed ingredients, such as avocados, cocoa powder, and natural sweeteners like stevia, pure maple syrup or honey. These ingredients are nutrient-dense and free from artificial additives. Avocado is also an excellent, plantbased source of healthy monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy and can help keep you feeling satisfied.
Like all my recipes, this mousse dessert avoids refined sugars and relies on natural sweeteners, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes, and are more beneficial for good health. The recipe is totally dairy-free and gluten-free, making it suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions or sensitivities.
While this chocolate pudding is still a decedent treat, this wholefood, Paleo-friendly recipe offers a much healthier alternative to traditional, sugar-laden chocolate puddings. It is a far better choice for those looking to indulge in a sweet dessert while following a Paleo or wholefood-based eating plan.
On a budget? Near Christmastime, avocados are in-season in Australia, and are super cheap, as low as a dollar each. You can also find small bags of avos in the Odd Bunch or I'm Imperfect range from Coles and Woollies. These are a great buy depending on the time of year.
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Key Ingredients Used
Creamy Avocado Based Mousse
Don't be put off by the fact this recipe is based on avocados. If you flavour it right, you honestly wouldn't know the difference. I actually prefer it over dairy, as avocados are a healthy fat and full of dietary fibre. It makes a surprisingly filling dessert or healthy snack recipe.
Ripe Avocados: avocados provide a thick, creamy and nutritious base for this pudding. They are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: cocoa powder adds the rich, chocolatey flavour to the pudding without added sugars or dairy. Also try it with magnesium-rich raw cacao.
Raw, Organic Honey or Stevia Liquid: natural sweeteners are debatable if you are a strict Paleo. While raw honey and maple syrup are ok, they are still pure sugar. An lall natural alternative is stevia, a leafy herb that is 10x as sweet as sugar but without the impact. Adjust the amount of each to suit your taste.
Coconut Milk: coconut milk enhances the creaminess of the pudding and adds a subtle coconut flavour. It's a common dairy-free ingredient in many Paleo recipes.
Pure Vanilla Extract: vanilla extract is used to enhance the flavour of the pudding.
Salt: a pinch of salt helps balance the flavors and intensify the chocolate taste.
These key ingredients create a super smooth and luscious chocolate pudding that is suitable for the Paleo diet while still offering a delightfully indulgent dessert experience. Its the perfect holiday recipe for not just Paleo, but also for anyone who is dairy sensitive, plantbased, or simply just trying to eat healthier.
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Healthy Holiday Chocolate Pudding Recipe
This recipe is one of my absolute favourite ways to enjoy a chocolatey holiday treat without feeling like I am missing out on taste. It's thick and creamy texture is so close to real mousse, I swear may not even notice the difference!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
2 ripe avocados
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons coconut milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
TOPPING: berries, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts
Method
Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits. Then scoop out the flesh into a food processor.
Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, pure maple syrup or honey, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the food processor. Blend all the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor and blend again to ensure everything is well combined.
Taste test the mixture and adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more sweetener if desired. Once the pudding is to your liking, transfer it into small, individual serving bowls or glasses. Chill the pudding in the fridge for 1 hour to allow it to fully set and develop its flavour.
To serve, garnish with sliced berries, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or any other Paleo-friendly toppings of your choice. I love using a few crushed cacao nubs and pomegranate seeds (pictured).
Batch Cook & Meal Prep
Yes, you can easily meal prep the the pudding for entertaining. You may need to double or triple the recipe depending on the number of guests. This recipe is quick and easy to make, and can be prepared the day before. Just be sure to cover the pudding with plastic wrap to avoid developing black specks. I recommend you make the big batch and cover it all in a large, glass bowl then spoon it onto the serving glasses just before its being served. This is been the best way I have found to avoid any surface and visual spoiling.
Want more Paleo, wholefood recipes like these? You might like my Paleo Cookbook series full of easy recipe ideas! There is even a Practitioner-led version of my cookbooks to provide you with amazing support to help you nourish and eat healthier. Click here to grab your copy!
Emma Lisa, Nutritionist & Women's Practitioner
Emma Lisa is a Nutritionist & Women's Health Practitioner with over 12+ years expereince in wholefood nutrition, meal planning and health coaching. She is a published cookbook author, passionate food recipe creator and lifestyle blogger, and an advocate for women's health and anti-diet culture. When she's not in clinic, Emma is mum to five kids, in her test kitchen and a wellness digital creator. She lives in Sydney, Australia.
Healthy + happiness,
Emma Lisa xx
HEALTH & NUTRITION PRACTITIONER
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