Chocolate Protein Pudding

We've just made the easiest most delicious vegan pudding you have ever come across with! You will be surprised by what goes in it but for sure delighted by the creamy texture and the slightly sweet, rich chocolatey taste of every bite. 

I used to think that sweet desserts could only be achieved by adding a good amount of sugar. And that a smooth creamy texture was only possible if you included cream. Well, I was wrong about both and I'm so happy to have found some alternatives. 

There are many ways to go around these two ingredients. Refined sugar has all sorts of negative effects on the body. So I try to avoid it as much as possible. It's defiantly something you don't want to put in your belly first thing in the morning. 

I made this pudding with the intention of having a sweet, easy, grab-and-go breakfast option. So adding sugar to this recipe was definitely out of the question. Instead, I threw in the mix a few dates. You only need four for this recipe so it doesn't come out too sweet. But if you have a bit of a sweet tooth you can always add a bit more.

You get a bunch of health benefits when you add dates to your morning. They will boost your energy, you get a bunch of diseases fighting antioxidants, they promote brain health, help control blood sugar, and are high on fiber. Just be mindful that like any other dried fruits, dates have high-calorie content. So if you are watching your calorie intake don't overdo it. 

This vegan pudding has a rich creamy texture that makes you fall in love with it. Instead of using any cream or some expensive vegan alternative I pulled out of the bag one of my favourite tricks. I used white beans not only to create a creamy texture but also to add a good load of plant-based protein. 

Also, white beans are packed with folate, vitamin B1, potassium, magnesium, and a great source of iron. We get so much just by adding this ingredient that is easy to cook and so inexpensive. This is a great way to go vegan on a budget and stay away from all the pre-packaged stuff that can be quite pricey. 

We need almond butter, almond milk, cacao, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to get the taste just right. You only need to throw everything in the blender until you get the perfect super-smooth texture. And that is it. That's how easy this vegan pudding is to make. 

I topped up with fresh blueberries that I found in season at the farmers market. You can always use frozen ones as well. Switch it up for any other kind of berries you get your hands on. To finish it up, just sprinkle some crushed almonds and your chocolate protein pudding is ready to be devoured!