I have a not-so-secret obsession with sweets. Matt thinks it stems from the long line of dessert-loving relatives in my family. My lineage includes a grandmother whose family owned a bakery, another grandma who was a pie baking expert, and a grandfather who isn’t afraid to reprimand anyone who is “shy” with his ice cream servings.
My dessert cravings will hit immediately after the last bite of a meal. A towering piece of gooey chocolate cake always sounds best, but a tiny morsel broken from a dark chocolate candy bar will satisfy just fine. (Are you picking up on a chocolate theme?)
I’m always looking for new sweet treats to satisfy cravings. It can really be a challenge finding sweets that aren’t full of sugar. Thankfully, we have the most amazing website community. One of our generous readers sent a handful of recipes a few months ago – things like pancakes flavored homemade butter – the recipes were making me weak in the knees. As I scanned the wonderful ideas she urged us to share with the diyNatural community, one caught my eye immediately – a “pudding” that is actually healthy!
My obsession with chocolate pudding is a topic for another day. I’ll spare you all the gooey chocolate details and skip to this “pudding” that will knock your socks off. (You’ll understand the quotes once you see the recipe for this dreamy, creamy chocolate pudding knock-off.)
Healthy Homemade Chocolate “Pudding”
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe avocados, diced
- ¾ cup pure maple syrup (find pure maple syrup here)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup filtered water (find water purification systems here)
- ½ cup pitted dates
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (how to make your own vanilla extract)
- 1 pinch sea salt (find unrefined sea salt here)
Directions:
- Heat water just until warm and add dates to water. Allow dates to soften in water for about 20 minutes. Strain dates from water and reserve water for step 3.
- Combine avocado, dates, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt in a food processor.
- Process all ingredients on low, gradually adding 1 tablespoon of the water at a time. Blend until creamy.
Makes about 5 cups. Lasts in the refrigerator for several days or freezes well for later.
The proof’s in the pudding
Pudding mixes on store shelves contain sugar, artificial flavors, thickening agents, preservatives, and even artificial colors! (It baffles me, doesn’t cocoa give enough color on its own?) You’ll find no such ingredients in this smooth, delicious alternative.
Not only will it easily fill the dessert role, but there’s also no arguing that some of the ingredients provide beneficial nutrients for your diet. The main ingredient, avocado, is a nutrient dense food, containing nearly 20 essential nutrients and healthy fats your body needs. Cocoa powder contains antioxidants, and dates are full of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener containing antioxidants, and is a wonderful alternative to processed sugars.
Another great perk of this “pudding” is that it you can still eat it if you have dairy allergies. You’ll be getting a nice helping of healthy fats with none of the effects of the typical dairy-based puddings.
I’m so in love with this new chocolate “pudding.” I have enjoyed small bowls as a stand-alone dessert, and have even used it to dip fruit pieces into. Bananas and strawberries are delicious with this thick pudding, but feel free to experiment with others such as grapes or apples.
This chocolate “pudding” also makes the most DIVINE pudding pops! Simply fill your reusable popsicle molds and freeze for a rich snack or dessert. (Far better than store-bought!)
Are you a dessert fiend like me? Forgo the sugary desserts and enjoy this maple syrup-sweetened “pudding” after your next meal!
As I run to the freezer for one of my pudding pops, I’m sending out big screaming bunches of thanks to our reader, Danielle B! I’m forever indebted to you for this new healthy dessert that easily quells my chocolate cravings!!!
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References and Recommended Reading
- Avocado Nutrients on Avocado.org
- Chocolate Provides Health Benefits on NaturalNews.com
- Health Benefits of Dates on OrganicFacts.net
Emily @ HolisticSquid says
Yum! I’ve been meaning to try a chocolate avocado pudding, and this looks delish. Thanks!
kathi bourg says
just wondering, has anyone tried this with raw cacoa? I will definitely be trying this soon!
Jennifer @ 20 something allergies and counting...down says
We make a quick raw version with carob (roasted, not raw), dates, unrefined salt, and avocado. I love that you shared your version.
Everyone should know about real food instant pudding!
robbin says
I love chocolate pudding and can’t wait to try this. Also, it’s great that it can be made into pudding pops. So much healthier than the alternatives out there.
Betsy Jabs says
I think I actually prefer this pudding in the form of pudding pops! 🙂 And yes…a MUCH healthier alternative!
Jamie says
Made this tonight and… YUM!!! Even my skeptical husband loved it. Even though I *want* to eat the whole batch, I know I shouldn’t… Will it keep in the fridge, or will it get yucky like avocados do? Thanks!
April W Gardner says
Made this tonight. Holy cow. Never knew avocados could be THAT yum. It got me thinking too…I bet I could use a very ripe banana instead of the dates. Gonna try that next time. It would be cheaper, for sure. Thanks for sharing!!
Betsy Jabs says
Yes, definitely try bananas instead of dates! Glad you loved the recipe!
Sharon says
Holy macaroni! I cannot wait to make this. Being allergic to dairy makes consuming chocolate cakes and puddings very hard. I am so glad you tested this out. I am always looking for healthy alternatives to naughty food items. Apples have been my recent go-to sweet snack for the fall. And the apple chips I make can curve the sweets cravings … sometimes. 🙂 Thanks again!
Betsy Jabs says
My pleasure! Like you, I often attempt to satisfy my entire mouth of sweet teeth with plain fruit…which doesn’t cut it most of the time. My body just screams, “chocolate please!” 🙂
Teri says
Can you tell me how many cups 3 avocados would be. I know you are probably referring to the avocados sold in the states which are probably Haas or similar. Here in Brazil the avocados are much bigger – the size of one’s head. So, therefore I have a hard time determining how much avocado I should use. Maybe 1 1/2 cups? This sounds absolutely delicious and I would love to try it. I, too am a chocolate fiend and this will definitely satisfy that craving.
Betsy Jabs says
Wow! Never realized avocados could be that large! I think it ended up being about 3-4 cups of diced avocado. Hope you love this!
Nicole says
Can you do it with other flavors besides just chocolate?
Betsy Jabs says
Hmmm…I’m sure you could! You have me thinking now. 🙂
Victoria says
I personally don’t like chocolate but passed it on to friends.
Betsy Jabs says
Thanks for passing it along Victoria!
Colleen R says
@Julie I also have type 2 diabetes. I’m not on insulin, only oral medications. Unfortunately, for a diabetic, sugar is sugar. Your body doesn’t see maple syrup and not treat it like a sugar because it is healthier. As far as diet goes, I try to count carbohydrates. (not like an Atkins diet though) It would be helpful if you could find out how many carbs this pudding has per serving to see if it could be included in a diabetic diet. The avocado is definitely a plus due to the healthy fats in it! All the best to your friend!
Recipe has been successfully analyzed – website above
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 112 g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 200Calories from Fat 88
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9.8g15%
Saturated Fat 1.8g9%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 32mg1%
Total Carbohydrates 31.3g10%
Dietary Fiber 6.9g28%
Sugars 20.3g
Protein 2.7g
Vitamin A 2% • Vitamin C 10%
Calcium 4% • Iron 9%
Nutrition Grade C+
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet
Nutritional Analysis
Good points
No cholesterol
Very low in sodium
High in dietary fiber
High in manganese
Bad points
Very high in sugar
Contains alcohol (from the vanilla)
http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
Julie says
Thanks Colleen! That’s where I’m still fuzzy is even if “good” sugars how it affects a diabetic. She’s very new with this and still trying to get her levels under control so maybe this will be a good treat for her in the future once she’s gotten herself balanced. I appreciate your input and that link will definitely come in handy!
Matt Jabs says
Thanks for your comments ladies! Keep in mind, this is NOT a diabetic chocolate pudding recipe, so be sure to do your own research in that regard. Blessings!
Betsy Jabs says
You rock Colleen! This is why we love our readers so much…so helpful! I’ll also be using the website for nutrition facts in the future. What a nice resource!
Audrey says
We LOVE chocolate avocado pudding! I’m like you in the sweets department (my husband doesn’t understand) from my daddy’s side, we love all things sweet, but please make it chocolate! My daughter has taken after me with a sweet tooth, and this pudding I don’t mind giving her any time! My recipe is a little simpler, only three ingredients – avocado, chocolate, and agave – blend and eat! I’ll have to try this one some time! Thanks for sharing!
Betsy Jabs says
Awesome! Love your 3 ingredient version!
Julie says
This looks great!! I will definitely try this as a treat for the kids in pudding and frozen treat form. My friend was just recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes (literally a few days ago). Since the maple syrup is unrefined, would this be diabetic friendly? I don’t know much about Type II diabetes – she has to take oral medication and insulin because it was so high and she’s only 22 (blood sugar was at 600 when she was hospitalized and that’s when they discovered it). Trying to find recipes that are diabetic friendly to help her adjust to a new (but better) way of living – kind of a blessing in disguise after getting things under control but also a scary transition outside of her element. I know she has to stay away from refined sugars and watch her carbs. She doesn’t see her doctor for a follow up until late next week and was hoping to make her a treat to cheer her up and show her how simple it is to make nice treats without all the processed and refined stuff that goes into things. Thanks Betsy for posting the recipe and thanks for any responses on this 🙂