Ahh, healthy desserts. There is nothing better than indulging in a rich, decadent dessert that you can eat completely guilt free. Especially when it’s chocolate. Because chocolate is pretty much the best thing ever. As you can see here, here, here, here, and here, I’m pretty partial to chocolate… Whoops. That’s a lot of chocolate recipes.
I’m not even ashamed.
Especially when they are super healthy recipes. As I am eating desserts like this, my mind is constantly blown by the fact that something so healthy can taste so delicious. There are SO many ways to sneak healthy food into your desserts!
This dessert is perfect for your Easter dinner because it’s not only super easy and quick, but it satisfies everyone’s dessert craving without making anyone feel weighed down and gross. And if you have kids, this is great because they are already packing in so much candy and chocolate from their egg hunts and Easter baskets! Might as well sneak some healthy dessert into their bellies :).
But I’ll tell you the best part about this pudding…the crumb. I don’t even know how it happened. I was about to not even include it because it’s Friday and I didn’t want to spend a bunch of extra time and dirty a bunch of extra dishes to create another addition to this recipe. But I am SO glad I did, because this Almond, Graham Cracker Crumb is one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.
The almonds and graham crackers get nice and toasty, the butter melts together with the brown sugar and almost creates a toffee coating around the nuts and crackers. It is crisp, sweet, toasty, and absolutely perfect. And paired with the chocolate pudding — a match made in heaven. The smooth texture of the pudding with the crunch of the topping…best thing ever.
I want to use this topping for every dessert I possibly can in the future…ice cream, pie, cheesecake – it would be perfect with anything.
This is just an exciting recipe all around! You puree avocado, banana, a little bit of peanut butter, honey, coco powder, almond milk, and a touch of vanilla and end with this:
A thick, rich, creamy, chocolatey pudding that tastes far from healthy.
You can top this with whipped cream if you want. I think it is a delicious addition, especially when you stir everything together – the pudding, whipped cream, and the crumb – to form the perfect bite.
The true test for this recipe in my mind was if Seth liked it, because he absolutely HATES avocados (I know, he’s crazy), and avocados make up most of this pudding. So if he liked this, then you know it covers up any remants of healthy ingredients. And he loved it…really really really loved it. He was going on and on about how good it was!
So if he likes it, anyone would.
Now for Easter memory #4:
When I was little, I believed in Santa and the Easter Bunny harder than any other kid I knew. I took personal offense if anyone ever even alluded to the fact that they weren’t real. So when after Church on Easter morning, I caught my mom and my neighbor hiding Easter eggs around the yard for my brothers and I to find, I was just sitting there staring out the window in disbelief. I called my mom upstairs, and we sat on her bed, and I looked at her and said “Mom…tell me the truth…is the Easter bunny real? Just tell me. I need to know.” And she told me he wasn’t real, and then I cried. Cried hard. On her bed. This is such a funny memory when I think about it now because I was SO devastated over the Easter bunny not being real…it was as if someone had just killed my best friend. “Problems” in the mind of a little kid are so innocent and mild. Wouldn’t it be great if your biggest problems as an adult were finding out fictional holiday characters don’t actually exist?? That would be awesome.
This pudding would be perfect for your Easter dinner this year! Here is the recipe:
- For the pudding:
- 3 ripe avocados
- ¼ cup almond milk
- ½ cup coco powder
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 pinch salt
- For the crumb:
- ½ cup chopped almonds
- ½ cup crumbled graham crackers
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- For the pudding:
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and puree until the pudding is completely smooth. Add any extra sweetener to taste
- For the crumb:
- Add the almonds and graham crackers to a large saute pan and toast over medium high heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently
- Add the butter and let it melt
- Add the brown sugar
- Stir everything until the butter and brown sugar are coating all the nuts and crackers
- Let this mixture cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently
- To assemble, spoon the pudding into cups, top with whipped cream (optional) and a large handful of the crumb
*Vegan? Omit the crumb topping and substitute honey for a different sweetener*
*Gluten free? All you have to do is omit the graham crackers from the crumb and you are good to go!*
If you make this or any of my other recipes, make sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
Caitlin @ teaspoon says
April 13, 2015 at 9:17 amaw I can just imagine you as a little girl crying your eyes out. poor thing! I’m sure this dessert would have made your little girl self feel better though :) I can’t wait to make this. I actually made a version of avocado chocolate pudding already, but I don’t think I added enough things to hide the avocado taste, so it’s worth a retry! I did it with tofu once too but it had the slightest hint of tofu and I couldn’t handle it. At least I’m not so averse to avocados :)
Caitlin @ teaspoon recently posted…Teuscher {swiss chocolate shop tour}
Annie Chesson says
April 13, 2015 at 6:10 pmHaha! I was crying very hard. It all turned out okay though :). You should definitely try this one!!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
April 12, 2015 at 4:28 amChocolate that’s healthy? Sign me up! That story of you on Easter is just so tragically sad! I just want to give your childhood self a hug! I recently found out that I outed Santa to my little cousin (2 years younger) when we were kids because I was talking about how Santa wasn’t real and he walked in. Apparently he cried so hard after that. I’d love to go back to those naive days though!:)
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen recently posted…Vegan Strawberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Annie Chesson says
April 13, 2015 at 6:12 pmI know! Healthy chocolate! It was a pretty sad day…such simple issues haha. Oh no! Poor kid. Finding out Santa isn’t real is the worst.
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
April 6, 2015 at 11:41 pmThere are NEVER enough chocolate recipes!! And oh my, this crumb topping… looks AMAZING!!!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel recently posted…Harvest Fridays & Happy Easter!
Annie Chesson says
April 8, 2015 at 8:16 pmAgreed, Jess! Never enough chocolate :). Thanks! It really is absolutely mouthwatering.
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
April 5, 2015 at 9:31 pmI could have used this healthy chocolate pudding an hour ago when I decided to have a bite off a slice of a fudgy chocolate cake my daughter brought home and ended up eating the whole thing! I would not be sitting here feeling so guilty right now. This looks delicious!
Thao @ In Good Flavor recently posted…Candied Vanilla Sugar Wafers
Annie Chesson says
April 6, 2015 at 3:23 pmHaha! This would have been a perfect substitution for you :). Next time!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
April 5, 2015 at 3:47 amI love that this pudding is healthy! It looks fantastic! The graham cracker crumbs sound delicious with the chocolate!
Annie Chesson says
April 5, 2015 at 2:53 pmOh my goodness, Kelly…the graham cracker crumb…sooooooo goooooooddddddd.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
April 3, 2015 at 11:20 pmLovely pictures! I love graham crackers and chocolate together :) Pinning!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Rainbow Soba Salad
Annie Chesson says
April 4, 2015 at 9:03 amThanks, Medha! And thanks for the pin :)
Dina says
April 3, 2015 at 9:06 pmAnna, my husband will owe me big time if I make this delicious looking pudding for him. This looks so delish
Dina recently posted…Buckwheat chickpea flour waffles
Annie Chesson says
April 4, 2015 at 9:04 amThank you so much, Dina! Your husband would love it :).
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
April 3, 2015 at 6:37 pmThis is extremely unique. I’ve never seen something quite like it. I think it’d be perfect for kids and adults. I’m all about that topping with the almonds and graham though. <3
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Frumpy Coconut Granola Bars
Annie Chesson says
April 3, 2015 at 7:55 pmIt is very unique! And kind of strange…but delicious, I promise! Tastes just like chocolate pudding :). Oh yeah, the topping is killer. You’ve got to try it!
Sarah from Soymilk + Honey says
April 3, 2015 at 6:11 pmHealthy and chocolate? I’m in!
Annie Chesson says
April 3, 2015 at 7:54 pmAgreed, Sarah!!
Maya @ Treats and Eats says
April 3, 2015 at 4:48 pmThis looks amazing! I LOVE chocolate pudding (or anything chocolate) too. And that crumb sounds delicious- yum!!!
Maya @ Treats and Eats recently posted…Nutella, Brie, and Bacon Grilled Cheese
Annie Chesson says
April 3, 2015 at 7:54 pmMe too, Maya…anything chocolate :). And the crumb…the crumb is so so so yummy!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
April 3, 2015 at 4:31 pmAnnie, this pudding looks absolutely incredible! I love that it’s healthy! That means I can indulge in another serving (or three) and not feel guilty. And I love that you made this with avocados, too! I’ve always wanted to try that!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
Annie Chesson says
April 3, 2015 at 7:53 pmThanks, Gayle! Three servings is closer to how it is for me when it comes to all things chocolate ;).