Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Cups | These decadent dessert cups are dairy-free and totally amazing. Together, the cherry chia pudding and the chocolate avocado pudding combine to make a beautiful, healthy and totally tasty dessert. Or breakfast!
Vegan | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Gluten Free
Okay, here it is, the dessert I was talking about on Friday! Chocolate Cherry Chia Puddings Cups. I LOVE this recipe.
I've been trying for the past year or so, every now and then, to create a fairly healthy pudding that is dairy-free but still had that decadent feeling of dark chocolate pudding.
I tried coconut cream and coconut milk and they were too overwhelmingly 'coconut-y' when what I really wanted was for the chocolate to shine through on its own. I mean, chocolate is a star ingredient, amiright?
Melted chocolate turned the whole thing grainy upon refrigeration. But this one... this one is perfect. It's smooth and chocolatey. It has a decadent feel but is healthy. I'm in love.
ingredients for cherry chocolate chia pudding cups
Yes, you can taste the banana a little bit but I don't think the flavor is completely overwhelming. I used bananas here because I've tried the banana “ice cream” idea, but found the airy texture a little off-putting.
I was worried that might happen here too. But I had a feeling that it would add a little lightness to the recipe. Avocado alone with the cocoa powder can be a little bit dense, and that's not what I wanted here. That's the perfect texture for my Dark Chocolate Fudgy Brownies though.
For this pretty little dessert, I wanted a soft, light and creamy pudding. I think the avocado helps give this recipe smoothness, not to mention healthy fats, and the banana helps keep the texture on the lighter side. Once you add the cocoa powder it takes on a really smooth, creamy pudding texture.
The cherry chia pudding contains just four simple ingredients and then is helped out with some refrigeration time. We'll just combine chia seeds, vanilla extract and almond milk (or your choice of other plant milk or cows milk if you're not keeping it vegan). Then we add some frozen cherries and mix it all together. This makes a really nice tasting chia pudding - a good contrast to the dark chocolate.
I let the cherries thaw in a bowl for a few minutes and then chopped them. I then added the melted cherry liquid and the cherry pieces to the pudding. Refrigerate that overnight and then spoon it on top of the chocolate pudding.
These Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Cups are altogether easy to make, include a bit of hands off time in fridge, and use some pretty basic ingredients. They end up tasting great, and looking really special. Perfect for a treat for yourself, a dessert for a dinner party, a weekend breakfast or for your special Valentine. Enjoy!
How to make Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Cups
To make avocado Chocolate Pudding
Blend the avocado and banana together in a food processor until silky smooth. Add the cocoa powder and maple syrup. Blend. Refrigerate.
To make cherry chia pudding
Combine chia seeds, almond milk and vanilla extract. Stir. Add in some of the chopped cherries, reserving a few to garnish. Refrigerate
To Serve the pudding
After the refrigeration time is complete, layer chocolate pudding in your serving bowls. Spoon chia pudding on top. Garnish with extra chopped cherries and cacao nibs.
Chocolate Cherry Chia Pudding Cups
Ingredients
Chocolate Pudding Layer
- 2 avocados
- 1 banana
- ¼ cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
Cherry Chia Pudding Layer
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup frozen cherries (thawed and chopped)
For Garnish
- a few frozen cherries (thawed and chopped)
- 1 tablespoons cacao nibs
Instructions
Make the chia pudding
- Mix together the chia seeds and the almond milk and refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally.
Make the chocolate pudding
- In a food processor, blend the avocados and banana until completely smooth. Sift in the dark cocoa powder and add maple syrup. Blend.
- Taste for sweetness, and then spoon into serving bowl and refrigerate until chia pudding is ready.
- Top the chocolate pudding with chocolate pudding and garnish with extra cherries and some cacao nibs, if desired.
Jordan
Chocolate covered cherries are one of my favorite treats. This is like a healthy version! I can't wait to try it for breakfast.
Amanda
Dark chocolate and chia must be so good together! Love recipes like these that are indulgent, but healthy too. Those cherries are the perfect finishing touch!
Kiki Johnson
Oh, I have seen this recipe earlier today on Pinterest and fell in love with it instantly! I looks so pretty and I love the combination of chocolate and cherries! A real treat.
Lori Rice
Such a beautiful pudding! I'm always looking for new ways to use chia, too!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
NOM! I love chocolate and cherries together. I love that this recipe is so healthy. I can't wait to try it!
Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry
The first time I saw Chia pudding cups was in the cooler section of a Starbucks. I had to try it, and I fell in love. Then, a friend kept telling me about a chocolate pudding she had made from avocados and green coconut. I never tried the recipe, but I was interested. Now, I find this recipe. It contains the best of both worlds. It's like a cup full of chocolate covered cherries, but this is healthy. YUM!!
Elena
What a great idea for a healthy dessert! Pinning for later!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
Cherries are my absolute favorite fruit! I love all the ingredients that you have in these cute chocolate cherry chia pudding cups! I also love that you used avocado. I wouldn't have thought to do that! I bake with avocados but putting them in a pudding? Stellar! I can't wait to make your luscious pudding!
TaraTeaspoon
What a great healthy dessert ! It's the perfect thing to serve at party because it has something for the healthy people and the people with a sweet tooth, it's a win win situation !
Jan
That looks really yummy 😉 I’d love for you to share over at Let’s Party! https://themarkandjanshow.com/2018/02/13/lets-party-8/ … we look forward to seeing you there!
Jenni LeBaron
I love that you use avocados in this to add some great fats! Plus, avocado always makes pudding so nice and creamy.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
We love all the ingredients you use except we haven't tried chia yet. I know, we are slow to get on that bandwagon. Your pudding looks delicious and it would make a great for you dessert. We'll be going to the store tomorrow. I'll put chia seeds on my list.
Stacey
I love enjoying chocolate and cherries together... I'm going to be making this soon!
Amy Nash
You cannot go wrong with cherries and chocolate! This chia pudding sounds wonderful and I would love this for an afternoon pick me up!