Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Sometimes, I just need a little chocolate and this dairy-free silken tofu Vegan Chocolate Mousse recipe fills the spot without me having to wear it on my hips. It can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 4 ingredients that you’re likely to already have on hand.
This is one vegan dessert recipe that I have made for literally hundreds of people in classes and for social functions and have never heard anything but great feedback.
Ingredients needed
This is an easy vegan pudding dessert recipe that is just as decadent as some of the fancier varieties, and the only equipment you need is a blender.
Amazingly, it can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 4 ingredients that you’re likely to already have on hand.
- Tofu- Silken tofu is the main ingredient. Either shelf-stable or produce section type work well.
- Cocoa powder- This gives the deep chocolatey flavor.
- Sweetener- Agave or maple syrup add the perfect sweetness.
- Vanilla- vanilla extract gives a lovely added flavor.
- Peanut butter- An optional ingredient but one that my husband loves.
Substituting ingredients
Originally, this chocolate mousse recipe came from PCRM’s Cancer Project Food for Life classes that I teach at medical facilities in the Carolinas.
Class participants always loved the dessert, but there was one problem. The recipe called for melted non-dairy chocolate chips, and I knew they were still quite high in fat. That is why I decided to Terri Tweak this vegan pudding recipe to be lower in fat.
To do that, I decided to substitute the chocolate chips with agave and cocoa. Believe it or not, no taste was sacrificed! It took a little tweaking to get the consistency right afterward, but it’s finally spot-on!
How to make vegan chocolate mousse
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
This is an amazingly simple recipe that anyone can make.
First, open the tofu container and drain excess water. Place tofu on paper towels for at least 15 minutes to remove excess liquid. If using the boxed shelf-stable tofu that is packed in very little water, this step can be skipped.
Personally, over time, I have found that the firmer tofu is better for this recipe because it gives it a more mousse-like texture.
I’ve used a couple of different sizes–one 12 oz (340 grams) and the other 15 oz (425 grams)–with success. The small size difference didn’t cause any issues with flavor or taste.
Add all ingredients to blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides, if necessary.
I use a Vitamix blender for all of my recipes because no matter what I’m making, this high-powered blender will produce the exact result I’m looking for.
Chill mixture in serving bowls for one hour. Then top with fresh berries and serve.
Check out the video below of me demoing how to make this recipe.
Topping options
We top our vegan chocolate mousse with fresh fruit.
- Strawberry slices
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Homemade Vegan Whipped Cream
- Dairy-Free chocolate chips
Tips and serving suggestions
- Tofu- Choosing the type of tofu can be important. If I want a pudding-like texture, I choose the shelf-stable firm tofu. For a thicker mousse-like or pie filling texture, the refrigerated Chinese type tofu works best.
- Chill- Mousse made from either type of tofu will thicken up more after a few hours in the refrigerator.
- Peanut butter- is optional but highly recommended.
This is such a great vegan chocolate mousse recipe that I decided to make a No-Bake Chocolate Pie out of it by adjusting the ingredients just a little bit to make it suitable for a thicker pie filling. From the reviews it is getting, I can safely assume that I’m not the only chocolate pie lover.
This recipe is adapted from Dr. Neal Barnard’s book, The Cancer Survivors Guide.
*Originally published February 2015.
We love this chocolate mousse recipe because it’s…
- Decadent
- Chocolatey
- Perfectly sweet
- Low-fat
- Insanely satisfying
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
Other great vegan desserts
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If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!
Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup agave
- 1 package silken firm or extra firm tofu
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter or PB2 optional
- Fresh berries for topping (optional)
- Homemade Whipped Cream optional
Instructions
- Open container, drain excess water, and place on paper towels for at least 15 minutes to remove excess liquid. If using the boxed shelf-stable tofu that is packed in very little water, this step can be skipped. I’ve used a couple of different sizes–one 12 oz (340 grams) and the other 15 oz (425 grams)–with success. The small size difference didn’t cause any issues with flavor or taste.
- Personally, over time, I have found that the firmer tofu is better for this recipe because it gives it a more firm mousse-like texture.
- Add all ingredients to blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, pausing to scrape down the sides, if necessary.
- Chill mixture in serving bowls for one hour.
- Then top with fresh berries and homemade Whipped Cream (optional).
- Check out the video of me demoing how to make this recipe.
Equipment
Video
Notes
Tips and suggestions
- Choosing the type of tofu can be important. If I want a pudding-like texture, I choose the shelf-stable firm tofu.
- For a thicker mousse-like or pie filling texture, the refrigerated Chinese type tofu works best.
- Mousse made from either type of tofu will thicken up more after a few hours in the refrigerator.
- Peanut butter is optional but highly recommended.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
Would date syrup work, in place of Agave, and at equal amount?
Hi Maya- Yes, I think date paste will work just fine in equal amounts. Hope you enjoy it!
Just made the pudding and sprinkled a few dark chocolate chips on top. No fruit tonight. It’s so so good, thank you very much for a wonderful dessert!