Decadent Raw Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Finding a dessert that’s both indulgent and good for you might sound impossible. We’ve all been there – staring at the chocolate cake in the bakery window while trying to stick to healthier choices, or reaching for those cookies after dinner because the fruit bowl just isn’t cutting it.

That’s why this raw avocado chocolate mousse has become my go-to treat. It’s rich and chocolatey, takes just minutes to whip up, and happens to be packed with good-for-you ingredients that won’t leave you feeling guilty after that last spoonful.

What Kind of Avocado Should I Use?

Hass avocados are your best bet for this chocolate mousse, since they have a naturally creamy, buttery texture that makes them perfect for desserts. You’ll want to use avocados that yield slightly when gently pressed – they should feel soft but not mushy. If your avocados are too firm, let them ripen at room temperature for a few days, or speed up the process by placing them in a paper bag with a banana. Once you cut them open, the flesh should be green without any brown spots, which can make your mousse taste bitter. Remember that smaller avocados tend to be more flavorful than larger ones, so grab a few medium-sized ones for the best results.

Options for Substitutions

This healthy dessert can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Avocados: Avocados are the key ingredient here and can’t be substituted – they create the creamy texture that makes this mousse special. Just make sure they’re really ripe!
• Maple syrup: You can swap maple syrup with honey, agave nectar, or date syrup. If using dates, blend 4-5 pitted Medjool dates with the water first until smooth.
• Cocoa powder: Regular cocoa powder works fine if you don’t have raw cacao. Dutch-processed cocoa will give a darker color and smoother taste.
• Hazelnut spread: Skip it entirely or try almond butter or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor.
• Berries: Any fresh berries work great here – try strawberries, blackberries, or a mix. You can even use dried goji berries or dried cranberries.
• Pistachios: Feel free to top with any nuts you like – almonds, pecans, or walnuts all work well. For a nut-free version, try coconut flakes or cacao nibs.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The success of your avocado chocolate mousse heavily depends on choosing perfectly ripe avocados – they should yield slightly when gently pressed but not be overly soft or brown inside, as this will affect both the texture and taste of your mousse.

A common mistake is not blending the ingredients long enough – make sure to process the mixture for at least 2-3 minutes until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of your blender or food processor several times to avoid any green chunks in your dessert.

Temperature control is crucial – the mousse needs at least 2 hours in the refrigerator to firm up properly, and if your avocados were cold to begin with, you might need to let the mousse sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.

For the smoothest results, sift your cocoa powder before adding it to prevent any dry lumps from forming in your final dessert, and taste-test before chilling to adjust the sweetness – remember that cold temperatures slightly dull sweetness, so you might want to add a touch more maple syrup than you think you need.

What to Serve With Avocado Chocolate Mousse?

This creamy chocolate mousse is perfect on its own, but there are some fun ways to dress it up for serving! Fresh berries are an obvious choice – besides the raspberries and blueberries already suggested, strawberries or blackberries would work great too. Since this is a healthier dessert, you might want to pair it with other nutritious toppings like toasted coconut flakes, a sprinkle of chia seeds, or some crushed almonds for extra crunch. For special occasions, I like serving it in pretty dessert glasses with a dollop of coconut whipped cream on top and maybe a few mint leaves for garnish – it makes such a nice presentation without being too fussy.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This creamy avocado chocolate mousse needs to be kept in the fridge in an airtight container. It’ll stay good for up to 2 days, though it’s best enjoyed within the first 24 hours when the flavors are at their peak. To prevent the top from developing a skin, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the mousse.

Make Ahead: You can prepare this mousse a few hours before serving – it actually benefits from some chill time! The flavors meld together nicely, and the texture gets even more silky. Just wait to add any toppings like berries or pistachios until right before serving to keep them fresh and crunchy.

Prevent Browning: Since this dessert contains avocado, a squeeze of lemon juice (though not in the original recipe) can help prevent browning if you’re planning to store it. The cocoa powder also helps maintain the color, but adding that extra citrus insurance won’t hurt!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-0 minutes
Total Time	10-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-700
• Protein: 8-10 g
• Fat: 40-50 g
• Carbohydrates: 70-80 g

Ingredients

• 3 ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder (preferably raw)
• 1/4 cup purified water
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut spread (optional)
• Organic raspberries
• Organic or wild blueberries
• Chopped pistachios (optional)

Step 1: Prepare and Blend the Ingredients

Scoop the flesh of ripe avocados into a food processor or blender.

Add cocoa powder and maple syrup to the avocados.

Blend the mixture until it becomes completely smooth and creamy.

This will create a rich and healthy chocolate pudding base.

Step 2: Chill or Serve Immediately

After blending, you can choose to put the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow it to chill and thicken slightly.

Alternatively, if you’re in a hurry or simply can’t wait, feel free to enjoy it right away.

Step 3: Serve with Toppings

For an elevated experience, serve your avocado chocolate pudding with fresh organic berries and a dollop of coconut whipped cream.

You can also try adding slices of fresh organic pears.

The combination of flavors and textures is truly delightful and enhances the richness of the pudding.