Description
Delight in these indulgent Black Forest Dessert Cups featuring layers of fresh sweet cherries, creamy dairy-free whipped cream, and rich avocado chocolate mousse. This vegan and gluten-free dessert combines natural sweetness with luscious textures, making it a refreshing and guilt-free treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherry Layer
- 2 cups (280g) fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 tablespoon (20g) maple syrup (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup (35g) fresh sweet cherries (for topping)
Dairy-Free Whipped Cream
- ~2 cups dairy-free whipped cream (chilled)
Avocado Chocolate Mousse
- 1 (200g) large avocado, weighed without skin and seed, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (85g) maple syrup (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup (45g) melted dairy-free chocolate (or an extra 1/3 cup (35g) of cocoa powder)
- 3 tablespoons (45g) dairy-free milk, room temperature
- 2 1/2 tablespoons (15g) dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Topping
- Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cherries: In a small bowl, combine the pitted and halved fresh sweet cherries with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Stir gently to coat the cherries evenly and refrigerate this mixture until needed to allow the flavors to meld.
- Whip the cream: Using an electric or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the chilled dairy-free cream according to the package instructions until soft peaks form. Keep the whipped cream chilled in the fridge until assembly.
- Make the avocado chocolate mousse: Add the avocado, maple syrup, melted dairy-free chocolate (or cocoa powder), dairy-free milk, dutch-process cocoa powder, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and a pinch of salt into a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Taste the mousse and adjust the sweetness or chocolate intensity as desired.
- Assemble the dessert cups: Layer the components in serving glasses by alternating whipped cream, chocolate mousse, and the macerated cherries along with their syrup. Be sure to include the syrup for added moisture and flavor.
- Top and serve: Finish by garnishing each cup with fresh sweet cherries and chocolate shavings or chips if using. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor, or cover and refrigerate for up to 6 hours, noting that whipped cream stability may vary.
Notes
- The stability of dairy-free whipped cream varies by brand; consume the assembled cups within 6 hours to enjoy optimal texture.
- Adjust the maple syrup quantity based on your preferred sweetness level.
- If melted dairy-free chocolate is not available, substitute with an extra 1/3 cup (35g) of cocoa powder for a different mousse texture.
- Optional espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Black Forest dessert, avocado mousse, dairy-free dessert, vegan chocolate mousse, cherry dessert cups, gluten-free dessert, no-bake dessert
