Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Black Forest Dessert Cups featuring layers of creamy avocado chocolate mousse, dairy-free whipped cream, macerated cherries, and fresh cherry toppings. This no-bake, vegan, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free dessert delivers the classic Black Forest flavors in a quick and healthier format.
Ingredients
Scale
Macerated Cherries
- 2 cups (280 g) fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 tablespoon (20 g) maple syrup (or to taste)
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
- 1 large avocado (200 g, weighed without skin and seed), room temperature
- 1/4 cup (85 g) maple syrup (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup (45 g) melted dairy-free chocolate (or an extra 1/3 cup (35 g) cocoa powder)
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) dairy-free milk, room temperature
- 2 1/2 tablespoons (15 g) dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Toppings
- ~2 cups dairy-free whipped cream, chilled
- 1/4 cup (35 g) fresh sweet cherries
- Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Macerated Cherries: In a bowl, combine the 2 cups of pitted and halved fresh sweet cherries with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Gently toss to coat the cherries evenly and let them sit to macerate while you prepare the mousse.
- Make the Avocado Chocolate Mousse: In a blender or food processor, add the peeled and pitted avocado, 1/4 cup maple syrup, melted dairy-free chocolate (or extra cocoa powder), dairy-free milk, dutch-process cocoa powder, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Chill the Mousse: Transfer the mousse to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 10 to 15 minutes to firm up slightly and develop the flavors while you prepare the whipped cream and assemble the dessert cups.
- Assemble the Dessert Cups: In serving glasses or cups, layer a spoonful of the macerated cherries, then a generous layer of avocado chocolate mousse, followed by a layer of chilled dairy-free whipped cream. Repeat the layers if space allows, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Add Final Toppings: Garnish each dessert cup with the remaining 1/4 cup fresh sweet cherries and sprinkle with chocolate shavings or chocolate chips if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately for best texture or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- This recipe is vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and refined sugar-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
- If you don't have dairy-free whipped cream, you can make your own by chilling full-fat coconut cream and whipping it until fluffy.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality dark dairy-free chocolate and fresh, ripe cherries.
- If avocado is not preferred, you can substitute with silken tofu or cashew cream, but the texture will slightly differ.
- Espresso powder and vanilla extract are optional but enhance the chocolate flavor significantly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
