Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Black Forest Dessert Cups featuring layers of creamy avocado chocolate mousse, dairy-free whipped cream, and fresh macerated cherries. This vegan, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free dessert captures the classic flavors of Black Forest cake without any baking, making it a quick and healthy treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherries
- 2 cups (280g) fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 tablespoon (20g) maple syrup (or to taste)
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
- 1 (200g) large avocado, weighed without skin and seed, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (85g) maple syrup (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup (45g) melted dairy-free chocolate (or an extra 1/3 cup (35g) cocoa powder)
- 3 tablespoons (45g) dairy-free milk, room temperature
- 2 1/2 tablespoons (15g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup (35g) fresh sweet cherries
- Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cherries: In a bowl, combine the 2 cups of pitted and halved cherries with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Gently toss to coat the cherries and let them macerate for at least 10 minutes to release their natural juices and enhance flavor.
- Make the Avocado Chocolate Mousse: In a blender or food processor, add the ripe avocado, 1/4 cup maple syrup, melted dairy-free chocolate or cocoa powder, dairy-free milk, Dutch-process cocoa powder, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and a pinch of salt if using. Blend until the mixture is creamy, smooth, and well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Whip the Dairy-Free Cream: If not using pre-made, chill the dairy-free whipped cream until ready to assemble.
- Assemble the Dessert Cups: In serving cups or glasses, start by spooning a layer of avocado chocolate mousse at the bottom. Add a layer of the macerated cherries on top. Follow with a generous layer of chilled dairy-free whipped cream. Repeat layering as desired, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Garnish: Top each cup with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings or chocolate chips for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve: Chill the assembled dessert cups for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and mousse to set slightly for a refreshing and decadent treat.
Notes
- This dessert is vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and made without refined sugar, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
- Macerating the cherries softens them and enhances their sweetness, balancing the richness of the chocolate mousse.
- You can substitute maple syrup with agave nectar or another liquid sweetener of your choice.
- If you prefer a firmer mousse, chill the avocado mousse for 30 minutes before assembling.
- Dairy-free whipped cream can be store-bought or homemade using coconut cream or similar alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 cup)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
