Chocolate Avocado Mousse
I love avocados. They’re rich, creamy, and oh. So. Good. They’re great chopped up in salads, blended into guacamole or even baby food. But up until recently I never considered using them as a base for desserts. I’m so glad I broadened my horizons.
My first foray into avocado as dessert were a batch of chewy avocado chocolate chip cookies. When they turned out well, a friend suggested I try it as a chocolate mousse. She said it was great for those who are lactose intolerant because there’s not one ounce of cream anywhere in it. Since the avocado is so rich and creamy all on its own, it makes the perfect substitute for heavy cream quite nicely. I was intrigued and since Shanley Farms just sent me a box of Morrow Bay Avocados, I decided to give it a whirl.
It was some of the richest, thickest chocolate mousse I’d ever had and the Morrow Bay Avocados are the reason why. They’re late season Haas avocados, so not only do they have a very rich flavor, they also have a very high oil content, making them smooth as butter. It’s that texture that makes these specific avocados the ideal candidates for chocolate mousse.
There is one down side though, since the mousse is made with avocados, this dessert needs to be served the same day you make it. Unlike regular mousse that can sit in the fridge for a few days, the avocado version is only as good as the avocados you use. And if you’ve ever seen a chopped up avocado after a day or two in the fridge, you know they don’t last. But for every down side there is an upside: if you have a food processor or blender, this is one of the easiest mousses you’ll ever make. Best of all, no one will ever suspect its main ingredient is an avocado.
Chocolate Avocado Mousse (adapted from How Sweet It Is)
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 2 squares 62% (or higher) chocolate, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Directions:
- Remove the flesh from the avocado and place it in a food processor. Blend until creamy.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until fully combined. Scoop into bowls and add whipped cream or eat all by itself.
- If you want to store the mousse in the refrigerator, place in an air tight container and chill.
