All hail the mighty avocado! Sure, the creamy fruit (yes, fruit!) may have been the it-food years ago as it was smooshed onto toast, mashed into guacamole and scooped as a vessel for oven-baked eggs, but its use in dessert might be where it shines most. Enter the completely customizable, completely healthy and completely delicious chocolate avocado pudding. Keto-approved and effortlessly vegan, this decadently rich and silky concoction is the perfect finishing note to an afternoon picnic or barbecue dinner.
I know what some of you might be thinking: “Avocados in my chocolate? You’ve got to be kidding me!” But I can assure you that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy this clever dish. In fact, you simply don’t taste the avocado at all — its role is merely a texture enhancer and more nutrient-dense alternative to the powdered stuff you find in a box.
To keep this recipe as simple as possible, all you need are four — yes, four! — ingredients: an avocado, maple syrup, cocoa powder and unsweetened nut milk. Because I like to kick things up a notch, I also incorporate a little salt and spices in the form of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. These help to enhance the flavor of the cocoa powder so that chocolate is always at the forefront of your taste buds.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the process is topping your bowl with whatever your heart desires. If you’re following the keto diet, high-fat options like pistachios, shredded coconut and cacao nibs are always great additions. I personally enjoy fresh blueberries, flaked sea salt and sometimes a little granola for crunch. I’ve also been known to add a scoop of peanut butter with banana slices and even some crumbled sandwich cookies with a splash of Irish cream liqueur for an adult play on the dirt cups we enjoyed as kids.
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No matter your preference, one thing’s for certain: This is the dessert of summer and your friends and family will be hooked from the first spoonful.