Dunno about you, but the recent events in the Middle East, combined with the relentless weather we’re having here in New York City, make me want to crawl under the covers and hide, preferably with a delicious, comforting dessert in hand. Alas, hibernating isn’t really an option for me, or for most of us, I imagine.
But we CAN have a luscious dessert every now and then when we desire escapism. As my English Lit prof used to say, “Why the hell NOT?”
Maybe a chocolate cherry trifle made with leftover chocolate cake?
Or how about a creamy, dreamy pudding parfait? Yeah, sounds good to me right about now. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to bust out my parfait glasses. But. . .
Making pudding from scratch certainly not my thing. In the immortal, hyperbolic words of my friend Denise, it “ruins my life.” Yeah, safe to say that custard making and I don’t get along. Ugh, I simply hate making custard. It always breaks or curdles on me, and frankly, I have limited patience for endless whisking, or for recipes that take too much time.
Luckily, when in the mood for something custard-y, I’m not above using instant pudding and have figured out, via my blogging friends, a fast, healthy way to make a chocolate pudding that involves nothing but the blender and a few ingredients you likely have on hand already: avocados, cocoa powder, bananas, a bit of liquid, and sweetener. It’s a pudding that’s actually quite healthy. It’s full of good fats from the avos and chocolate is healthy in moderation. (Yes, you read right: avocados and chocolate, so read on!)
The bananas in the chocolate pudding give it sweetness, so go easy on the added sweetener (taste as you go).
Milk Free Banana Chocolate Pudding Parfaits with Cardamom
Ingredients
- Banana pudding mix (3.5 ounce box; check ingredients for milk if this is a concern)
- Coconut milk in the amount prescribed by the pudding box directions (usually 2 cups)
- 2 teaspoons cardamom powder (optional)
- 2 small, ripe avocados or 1 large avo
- 1 medium banana
- 4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Sweetener, options include: agave, maple syrup, date syrup, simple syrup. (Start with a Tablespoon and add more to your taste as needed. If using liquid stevia, start with a drop or two, then work your way up as needed.)
- Chocolate chips or shavings for garnish (optional)
- Fresh banana slices for garnish (optional)
- Whipped topping for garnish (optional; use non-dairy if you’re staying milk-free)
Directions
1. Make banana pudding according to package directions, adding 1/2 of the cardamom powder to the mixture as you blend. Place in the fridge to chill for at least 5 minutes while you make the chocolate pudding.
2. In a blender, place flesh of avocados, chunks of banana, cocoa powder, remaining cardamom powder, sweetener (if using), and a splash of coconut milk or water to help things blend. Now blend until smooth. Add more cocoa powder if you need to thicken. Thin it out with liquid if needed. Test for sweetness, and add more sweetener if needed.
3. Make sure banana pudding is set and “scoopable” with a spoon. Once it’s set, in a decorative parfait glass, layer puddings in alternating layers, starting with chocolate pudding first (it is denser than the banana pudding). End with a layer of banana pudding, then top with garnishes of choice, if using. Settle in under the covers or on the nearest couch, and enjoy.
Bria, I know what you mean, this weather and the world events have got me down! Your pudding parfait sure is comforting! 🙂
Ahhh, I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way, Sara. Hugs!
i love that- one of my best friends in Rome is now only eating dairy-free food. she’d love this. x shayma
With all of those amazing flavours, I can tell this would be such a yummy desert!
Hope you are having a great weekend.
*kisses* HH
I come from Iran but can’t say I’ve ever heard of this mixture for apudding.
However, who cares, it sounds too good to pass by so the ingredients are already on my next week’s shopping list.
It sounds as if it may need a cup of Iranian / Turkish / Armenian / Greek coffeeor call it what you will, to accompany it afterwards so I’ve already ordered mine from my usual supllier The Tea and Coffee Emporium.
Oh yes, this one is def more fusion-y 🙂 I have to say that Turkish coffee (that’s what I always call it for whatever reason 😉 ) sounds like it’d be perfect with this dessert. Good call!