Guilt Free Chocolate Pudding - No cook

The search continues for a cooked, corn starch free pudding.  But in the mean time, I found this amazing recipe in Danielle Walker's Against All Grain meals made simple cookbook.  It is a beautiful cookbook with large glossy photos and appealing recipes, not to mention make ahead options, nutrition facts and grocery lists.  She also has some great chocolate custard style pudding and fudgesicle recipes on her website that are cooked egg custard style.  S and I loved them but they were too rich and dark for R.  But this recipe, this uncooked, almost sugar free recipe is fantastic.  I can say yes to this treat any time without feeling like I am giving the kids something unhealthful.  It is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.  Heads up, you really need a high speed blender to get this super silky smooth like regular pudding.  Otherwise the chia seeds can leave a little bit of gritty texture.  In the original recipe, the only sweetening is from pitted dates.  And it is great just that way too, but I found that I liked the roundness that just a tablespoon of maple syrup gave to the flavor.  Even my picky hubby thought the taste and texture was just about perfect.  Now that is a win!

Healthful No Cook Chocolate Pudding

serves 4-6

1 can (13.66 oz) coconut milk 

½ cup hot water

4.5 oz pitted dates (I used Medjool; Deglet Noor, which are smaller, would be around 18 dates)

½ cup raw cacao powder (I used fair trade cocoa powder)

¼ cup chia seeds

1 tbsp melted coconut oil (the mix gets hot enough you don't have to have it melted)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp maple syrup (optional addition not in original recipe)

¼ tsp sea salt

dark chocolate shavings, coconut flakes or berries for garnish

Put everything in a high speed blender and process at high speed until completely smooth.  Danielle says for about 45 seconds but I let it go a couple minutes to get ultra smooth.

Pour/scoop into serving dishes, cover and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.

 This is straight out of the blender and still warm and you can see how thick it is already.

Garnish with chocolate shavings or berries if desired.

Or get fancy and pipe it into a fancy serving goblet.  Garnish optional.

This mixture also makes fabulous fudgesicles!

Freeze overnight in dixie cups or a popsicle mold and enjoy!  My kids like peeling off the dixie cup paper.