Adult Pudding Cups
You may feel a bit silly serving pudding for your Valentine’s Day dessert, but this version isn’t your average Nabisco Snack Pack. Its base is made with avocado and coconut milk, so it is full of healthy fats instead of sugar and preservatives. Plus, it’s kind of fun to tap into your inner child—there’s no rule that says romantic dinners have to be serious and stuffy!
Healthy Fats
“Healthy fats” may seem like an oxymoron because for so long we’ve all believed that eating fatty food makes us fat, but not all fats are created equal. Eating too many bad fats (like the trans fats found in margarine) is not good for you at all. However, consuming the right kinds of fats can help your meal be more nutritionally satisfying, as well as keeping you full longer, boosting your metabolic rate, protecting you from heart disease, and helping your body absorb nutrients.
Avocados
They’re not just for guacamole. Avocados have a tough exterior, but on the inside they’re soft and creamy. They pack a ton of protein and fiber, and they contain oleic acid, which can help you overcome feelings of hunger. They also have been known to help lower inflammation, a problem often linked to cardiovascular disease.
All of the benefits listed above make this pudding a perfect Valentine’s Day dessert!
Chocolate Avocado Pudding (serves 2)
1 medium avocado
¼ cup coconut milk
¼ cup water
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons cacao powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 ice cubes
Directions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Divide into serving dishes (ramekins work great).
Recipe Notes
- You can make this a day or two ahead of time and keep in the fridge. Give it a good stir before dividing into dishes if you do that.
- Top with shaved chocolate, crushed pistachios, sea salt, coconut, or fruit (strawberries would also be great).
- Remember that this is real chocolate, not commercially sweetened chocolate. The end result can be slightly bitter, but the spices help offset that.
- To turn up the heat a bit, add a little cayenne pepper (a dash will do) in place of either the cinnamon or the nutmeg – the chocolate chili combo gives the dessert a Spanish flare!
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