Chocolate Date Pudding
Creamy, bittersweet chocolate pudding sweetened with dates!
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Makes: 2 servings
- 3/4 cup whole milk (190 ml)
- 80 gms finely chopped dark chocolate (70% to 75%)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (20 gms)
- Pinch of salt
- 8 pitted dates (see notes)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, grated chocolate and/or toasted nuts to decorate, optional
Soak the dates in hot water so they become easier to blend. While that's happening, combine the milk, chocolate, cocoa and salt in a saucepan. Stir on low heat until smooth and the chocolate has completely melted.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and honey. Set aside to cool for a couple of minutes, until warm but not piping hot.
Now drain and add the softened dates to a high-powered blender (I found my chutney grinder better here than my blender) and pour in a few spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture. Run the blender till the dates are finely crushed, almost like a paste, scraping down as needed.
Now pour in the remaining chocolate mixture and blend it all up together. Taste and add more honey or salt if needed. You will see it becoming a little thicker already.
Allow the mixture to cool for 20 minutes, then pour into a jar or bowl and leave overnight to chill. It will thicken to a pudding-like consistency in about 4 hours, and a thicker, mousse consistency overnight. I like it both ways!
Decorate with optional whipped cream, grated chocolate or toasted nuts. Keep refrigerated at all times and consume in 3 to 4 days.