About recipe

Does the special person in your life have a heart of gold? This Valentine’s Day, show how much you love their heart with this luscious Chocolate-Avocado Pudding recipe from our friends at America’s Test Kitchen. This recipe substitutes the cream and eggs for vitamin-packed avocado, making it the perfect nutritious dessert to enjoy on Valentine’s Day or anytime throughout February’s Heart Health Month.

Photo & Recipe by America’s Test Kitchen.

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) sugar
• 1/4 cup (3/4 ounce) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large ripe avocados (8 ounces each), halved and pitted
• 3 1/2 ounces 70 percent dark chocolate, chopped

Preparation

1. Combine water, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, espresso powder (if using), and salt in small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar and cocoa dissolve, about 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and cover to keep warm.
2. Scoop flesh of avocados into food processor bowl and process until smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. With processor running, slowly add warm cocoa mixture in steady stream until completely incorporated and mixture is smooth and glossy, about 2 minutes.
3. Microwave chocolate in bowl at 50 percent power, stirring occasionally, until melted, 2 to 4 minutes. Add to avocado mixture and process until well incorporated, about 1 minute. Transfer pudding to bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Serve.