I love cinnamon.
Cinnamon is the perfect complement to any sweet treat. Beyond its warm flavor, it can also help support stable blood sugar, which makes it a welcome and practical addition to desserts.
I also love pudding.
While making this recipe I wondered if there’s a dessert I don’t like. The only candidate that came to mind was baked Alaska—mostly because I’ve never tried it and the combination of textures and temperatures has never seemed appealing. Pudding, on the other hand, is simple and satisfying: one texture, one flavor, and only a few minutes of work. That’s right up my alley.
Texture matters a lot in pudding. I wanted this dessert to be silky and creamy—not chunky or grainy. While many recipes rely on avocado for creaminess, this pudding achieves a luxurious texture from just a few core ingredients: dates, dairy-free milk, and cocoa powder.
Sugar-Free Chocolate Cinnamon Pudding/Frosting (Avocado-Free, Vegan, Paleo)
Ingredients
- 10 large soft dates I use Medjool
- 8-10 T. dairy-free milk
- ¼ c. cocoa powder
- ½ t. vanilla
- pinch sea salt
- ¼ t. cinnamon
Instructions
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Place the dates in a food processor and blend until they break down into a smooth paste—that first stage will look like a ball of sticky paste.
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Add the remaining ingredients, starting with 8 tablespoons of dairy-free milk. Add more milk as needed to reach your preferred consistency.
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Process the mixture until it is completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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Top with an extra dusting of cinnamon or a few cacao nibs for texture and garnish.
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Chill if you prefer it cold, or serve immediately at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Though I usually enjoy this as a pudding, it also serves beautifully as a frosting for cupcakes or cake. For frosting use, adding a tablespoon of coconut oil increases richness and helps the mixture set in the refrigerator.
I hadn’t intended to post this until I noticed many people hesitant to try avocado-based puddings. While those are tasty, I wanted to share an avocado-free alternative that still delivers a creamy, chocolatey experience. On days when my digestion struggles, I prefer recipes that aren’t heavy in fats—this pudding is perfect for those times.
What food or recipe are you hesitant to try?
For me, savory oats are one I haven’t tried yet. I’ve seen appealing recipes, but I haven’t worked up the nerve to make them.