Healthier Chocolate Mousse

Not your average everyday chocolate mousse, instead absolutely delicious, healthier versions. Great as frosting on cakes too!

Two types to choose from:

The first is made with avocados. 
Just try before you judge it based on its ingredients! It really does make a delicious chocolate mousse. The avocado contains boron, a trace mineral that plays a role in female hormone balance and bone health, in particular through perimenopause and menopause. Plus the oil in avocados has anti-inflammatory effects, and the good levels of vitamin B5 supports adrenal gland function. 

The second mousse recipe contains tofu. 
Like with the avocado mousse, try before you judge it based on its ingredients! This chocolate mousse is really easy to make and contains many beneficial ingredients for gut health and to support a woman in perimenopause and menopause. In particular tofu contains beneficial phytoestrogen and phytonutrients. Both of which support hormone balance and bone health. In fact soy foods are thought to be potentially breast cancer protective. 

I'll be making this chocolate mousse at my Retreats in 2023! So please come and join me! Retreat details here. 

Please note, some people may find cocoa or chocolate triggering for migraines. This is not everyone who has migraines, but it is important to be aware of this. If this is you, in the Chocolate Tofu Mousse recipe the dark chocolate can be swapped for white chocolate.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse:
2 large ripe avocados
95g honey or 100% natural maple syrup or 130g brown rice syrup
2 tablespoons smooth nut butter - eg almond or macadamia
1 teaspoons vanilla extract or scraped vanilla seeds from half a pod
35g cacao or cocoa powder
A pinch of salt 

Chocolate Tofu Mousse:
120g dark chocolate (approx. 80% cacao or greater is best)

300g silken tofu (that's soft tofu not hard)

3 tablespoons maple syrup or brown rice syrup 
or runny honey

Optional - decoration for the top: chopped blueberries or mango, cocoa nibs, crushed nuts etc 

Chocolate Avocado Mousse:
Using a spoon, scrape all the avocado flesh away from the skin.
Pop everything into a food processor and blend until smooth and well mixed.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and re-blend to make sure everything is smooth and creamy.
Play around with the amount of sweetness and chocolatey-ness by adding a little more syrup and/or cocoa, as everyone’s tastes differ.
This mousse will not set any stiffer, so you can eat/use it straight away or store covered, in the fridge. It will last for 2-3 days in the fridge.
It is also delicious frozen and eaten as ice blocks!

Chocolate Tofu Mousse:
Use a medium/small glass/ceramic/stainless steel bowl that can fit over the top and slightly nestled into a saucepan.
Fill the base of the saucepan with a little water, about 2cm.
Bring the water to the boil, then turn down to slow simmer.
Break up the chocolate, and add it to the bowl, then place the bowl over the top of the simmering water. Allow the chocolate to slowly melt.
When the chocolate has completely melted, add the silken tofu and maple syrup. Stir to combine.  
For a lovely smooth finish, tip the ingredients into a blender or food processor, and whip up until silky smooth. This step makes a big difference to the texture.
Then pour the mixture into small individual glasses.
Pop in the fridge to set for about 30-45 minutes. Once set you can top the mouse with any decoration you like.
Store, covered, in the fridge for 2-3 days. Do not freeze.
This mixture is also lovely to use as a frosting for a chocolate cake!