I’m on a chocolate-covered strawberry kick lately. Not such a bad thing, right?! So I’ve uncovered another way to enjoy this perfect pairing—in a lovely pudding with mousse-like appeal thanks to avocados. Savor this dark chocolate-strawberry mousse pudding slowly with a dainty dessert spoon or by dipping more strawberries into it. There’s no processed sugar here. It’s vegan. And it’s wow-worthy!

dark chocolate-strawberry mousse pudding

Makes 4 servings: 1/2 cup each

Ingredients

• 2 large fully-ripened Hass avocado, peeled, pitted, and quartered
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 strawberries, sliced + 4 whole strawberries
• 1/2 cup (100% fruit) seedless raspberry or strawberry fruit spread
• 1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon + 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste*
• 1/2 teaspoon aged balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. Place the avocado, cocoa powder, sliced strawberries, fruit spread, vanilla extract, salt, and vinegar in a food processor. Cover and blend until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Transfer the pudding to small dessert dishes. Use a star-tipped pastry bag, if desired. Chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to fully set and allow flavors to blend. (Hint: Be patient. It really does taste even better when the flavors have married together for a while!)
3. Top each with a strawberry. Enjoy the strawberry garnish as you’re enjoying the pudding. Serve alongside additional strawberries if you like, too.

Per serving: 220 calories, 13g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 30g total carbohydrate, 9g dietary fiber, 15g sugars, 3g protein

*If  you’re not used to salt being a key taste in desserts, simply use a little less.

Jackie’s Culinary Tips!

• Avocado provides velvety creaminess and as much decadent mouth feel as heavy cream
• Whenever possible, choose sweetness the way nature intended, such as by way of fruit instead of processed white sugar
• A hint of aged balsamic vinegar helps to balance cocoa bitterness and enhance strawberry goodness while boosting overall taste enjoyment
• A pinch of sea salt helps to balance sweetness while boosting overall taste enjoyment
• Be patient; let these unique ingredient flavors marry before serving