Black Forest Dessert Cups (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Sweet Cherry Mixture & Cream
01 -
2 cups pitted and halved fresh sweet cherries (about 280g)
02 -
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, plus extra to taste
03 -
2 cups chilled plant-based whipped cream
→ Rich Chocolate Avocado Mousse
04 -
1 large ripe avocado (200g without pit and skin), at room temperature
05 -
1/4 cup maple syrup, adjusted to your sweetness preference
06 -
1/4 cup melted dairy-free chocolate OR 1/3 cup dutch cocoa powder
07 -
3 tablespoons room temperature non-dairy milk
08 -
2 1/2 tablespoons premium dutch-process cocoa powder
09 -
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
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1 teaspoon instant espresso powder for depth (optional)
11 -
Small pinch of sea salt to enhance flavors (optional)
→ Beautiful Finishing Touches
12 -
1/4 cup fresh sweet cherries for topping
13 -
Dark chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional)
# Instructions:
01 -
Combine the halved cherries with maple syrup in a small bowl, stirring gently to coat. Taste and add more maple syrup if you prefer them sweeter. Pop the bowl in the refrigerator to chill. In a separate large bowl or stand mixer, whip your dairy-free cream following the package directions until it holds beautiful peaks. Keep this chilled in the fridge until you're ready to assemble.
02 -
Add your room temperature avocado and all remaining mousse ingredients into a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy - this might take a minute or two. Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness or chocolate intensity as you like it.
03 -
Using 3 to 6 serving glasses (depending on portion size), create gorgeous layers by alternating the fluffy whipped cream, rich chocolate mousse, and the sweet macerated cherries. Don't forget to include some of that lovely cherry syrup! Crown each cup with fresh cherries and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for an elegant finish.
04 -
These delightful cups can be enjoyed immediately or kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours. The flavors actually meld beautifully when given a little time to rest together.
# Notes:
01 -
The cherry mixture and chocolate mousse can be prepared 1-2 days ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator. Many plant-based creams hold their structure well, so you can even assemble complete cups a day in advance.
02 -
In a time crunch, canned or frozen cherries work wonderfully too! Just drain most of the liquid, keeping a few tablespoons for that syrup goodness. If using tart cherries, bump up the maple syrup to at least 2 tablespoons.
03 -
This recipe creates an incredibly indulgent dessert that no one would guess is completely plant-based and free from refined sugars. It's much simpler than traditional Black Forest cake but delivers all those classic flavors.