5 Minute Avocado Chocolate Pudding

I swear to you on my life this tastes exactly like regular milk chocolate pudding, only richer, more delicious, and much healthier. This is the perfect guilt free snack. All in 5 minutes.

WHY THIS IS A GREAT SNACK

• Super Healthy and Filling. due to the avocados, berry topping and ricotta cheese. This provides omega 3 fat, antioxidants, fiber, and lean protein to keep you full and energized.

  
  

• No Cooking. Did I mention that this only take 5 minutes to make?

  
  

• The avocado is hidden. You will not taste or see any avocado, which makes it perfect for anyone you serve this too who doesn't eat as many veggie as they should.

  
  

• Can be made ahead. This can sit in the fridge for days and still taste great, and it freezes great. Just give it a few hours on the countertop or leave in the fridge overnight to thaw.

WHAT THIS RECIPE WORKS

This recipe is a unique spin on the avocado chocolate pudding, which is usually made vegan. I enjoyed it enough the first time I tried it, but it was way too rich and fudgy for my taste. That is where the ricotta cheese comes in. It takes the heaviness out of the recipe, making a it a more familiar and classic flavor, but matches the texture of the avocado in a way the milk or cream can't. If you would prefer to keep this vegan, a little coconut cream would probably be your best bet to preplace the ricotta.

The avocado adds fat and creaminess, but the cocoa hides the color completely. This recipe incorporates ricotta cheese, essentially coagulated milk, which makes the pudding lighter, adding a mild sweetness. You won't believe how fast this is. Just wizz all the ingredients in a food processor for two minutes and serve.

HOW TO SERVE THIS

I like to spoon this into small mason jars with lids so that I can freeze them and pull them out a few hours before I want to eat one. Then top with a few berries. These are great for anyone you may need to hide vegetable for.

VARIATIONS

• Add some mint, orange, or almond extract

• Swirl in some caramel

• Mix in some coconut milk and top with shaved coconut

• Top with sliced bananas

• Top with crushed pretzels

• Make it a smores cup with marshmallow and crushed graham crackers

• Add some protein and crunch by topping with chopped nuts

• Make it boozy and add a few drops of bourbon

• Top with whipped cream

NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

AVOCADO

It is better to use an avocado that is a little overripe than one that is still too hard, as you may end up with a few hard green chunks in your pudding. Not very appetizing.

MAPLE SYRUP

Any liquid sugar can be substituted for the maple syrup, such as date syrup, honey or agave. However, avoid any type of granulated sugar. Because this is not cooked, the sugar won't dissolve and the final pudding will have a grainy texture.

RICOTTA CHEESE

I have found that not all ricotta cheeses taste the same, so try find something mild flavored. I usually use BelGioioso or Whole Foods brands. I once tried Galbani ricotta in this recipe, and it tasted off in here. Too tangy.

MAKE IT VEGAN

A reasonable substitute for ricotta, if you want to keep it vegan, is coconut cream from a can. Refrigerate the can for a few hours to separate the water from the fat, then dump out the water. Note that your pudding will have a strong taste of coconut You want something with fat too keep the texture creamy.

USE A SILICONE SPATULA

A spatula is the best way to spoon all of this up, as much of the pudding will stick to the food processor.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ripe medium avocado

• 1/2 cup full fat ricotta cheese

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1 tspn vanilla extract

• 1 large pinch pink salt or sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1) Add all ingredients to a small food processor and puree for several minutes until smooth,

scraping down any foods stuck to the sides with a silicone spatula to ensure even mixing.

2) Adjust ingredients to taste, adding more ricotta or maple syrup if desired.

3) Spoon pudding into serving bowls with any topping and serve, or refrigerate until later.