Does a healthy chocolate pie exist? Yes! Delicious, rich, made with whole foods plant-based ingredients, this pie is vegan and gluten-free.
Healthy Chocolate Pie? Yes indeed!
This chocolate pie is made with such wholesome ingredients that it can be enjoyed for breakfast.
Yet it’s rich and delicious, with a velvety filling and nutty deep-chocolate base.
Who’s in? 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
I thought so. 😬
This recipe comes from my 3rd cookbook, Let Them Eat Vegan. Before moving into this recipe, I’m veering off briefly to talk about that book.
A few weeks ago I posted a video about how my publisher has now printed LTEV in black and white. 👎 I’m disappointed, to say the least. It’s important I let you know, in case you order the book – it might be in b&w, sorry.
Now, back to this delicious vegan chocolate pie!
For this chocolate pie I use a food processor to make the crust, and a blender to make the filling. A very frequently-asked-question: Dreena, what blender and food processor do you use?
Of course, many of you know that Blendtec is my blender of choice. I use it every day – sometimes 2-3x/day.
I especially love the Blendtec twister jar, though I use the larger jar for this pie filling. I’ve just picked up the new mini-wildside jar (will be excellent for salad dressings). Check them out!
Furthermore, if you want to purchase a Blendtec OR any accessory, use my code: YAY-BLENDTEC at checkout for 20% off!
Healthy Chocolate Pie: Prep Work
Now, there are a couple of steps to this healthy chocolate pie. It’s not difficult, but there are a couple of steps:
- prep the pie base (I use a food processor) and press into a pie plate
- chill base while making the filling
- make the filling
- if using a Blendtec or other high-speed blender for the filling, it works fast whether using soaked or unsoaked cashews – I like using unsoaked cashews, because then the filling sets up a little more firm with chilling!
- if using a standard blender, you will need to use soaked cashews to get a silky-smooth puree
- puree until silky smooth
- pour the filling into the base, then chill to serve
For serving, this vegan chocolate pie is delightful with fresh berries or a simple berry sauce. If you have LTEV, you’ll find both a fresh berry sauce and warm berry sauce. If you don’t have LTEV, try my .
I hope you enjoy this recipe, friends! x Dreena
Vegan Chocolate Pie (Raw Chocolate Mousse Pie)
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 3/4 cup raw pecans (can substitute walnuts)
- 1 cup lightly packed pitted dates
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp scant sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract see note
Filling:
- 1 cup avocado flesh cut in chunks or slices, roughly 1 large or 1 – 1/2 medium avocados; be sure they are soft and ripe, not hard
- 1/2 cup soaked raw cashews
- 1/2 cup nut milk or other non-dairy milk if non-raw
- 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 -1 tsp pure vanilla extract see note
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
For the Pie Crust
- Place the almonds in a food processor and pulse briefly until fine and crumbly. Add the crust remaining ingredients and process until the mixture becomes sticky. Stop to scrape down the bowl, if needed.
- The mixture should hold together when pressed with your fingers. If it’s still a little dry or not sticking, pulse again, add another date (or two, if small honey dates) and process again. Use 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon of water, as well, if not using vanilla extract.
- Transfer the mixture to a glass pie plate (helps to wipe the surface of the plate with a little coconut oil, or line with few strips of parchment paper, just for easier removal). Press the mixture evenly into the pan.
For the Pie Filling
- Place all the filling ingredients in a high-powered blender and puree for a minute or so on at medium-high speed, until completely smooth and no texture of the cashews remains. Stop to scrape down the blender and redistribute the ingredients.
- Puree again until very, very smooth—like a velvety pudding. This will take a few starts and stops for scraping down – even with a high-powered blender. Once the mixture is readily churning and smooth, it’s ready.
- Pour the filling into the crust, and tilt and smooth with a spatula to evenly distribute. Refrigerate for a couple of hours to set. (Optionally, you can also freeze the pie and serve at a later time, thawing most of the way before slicing.) Slice and serve.
Notes
- Savvy Subs and Adds: If you’d prefer not to use vanilla extract, use the seeds from one vanilla bean, using half for the crust and half for the filling. Also try adding a little orange zest to the filling, the orange/chocolate flavor combo is a winner!
- Serving Suggestion: Serve as is, or topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, or a ladleful of Fresh Strawberry Sauce.
Lucia says
The photos promise a pie that is heavenly delicious. Both the filling and the crust-with-character.
✨ For us newbies at pies: what size of pie pan should we use? 9”? 10”? Thank you, Dreena!
KT says
Does it have to be avocado? I had a bad experience with avocado pudding and have been ruined for all things sweet. Would banana work? Or sweet potato?
Dreena says
Hi KT, I understand, I’m not a big fan of avocado in desserts either – but made sure this dessert would taste great with it. You could, however, sub sweet potato, I think that would work well here.
Katie says
Thanks so much!
Pat says
I didn’t see a recipe listed here. Maybe there’s a link I missed?
Abbie Brill says
I can’t see a recipe either…
Dreena says
Not sure what happened with the recipe, I’ve now added it back!
Maureen says
This looks wonderful! Thank you, Dreena, for being so generous in sharing this recipe. I may try it for Easter.
Dreena says
Very lovely of you to say, thank you Maureen.
Marilyn says
I have LTEV cookbook but can’t find this recipe listed. Is it called by another name
Stephanie says
The berry sauces are in LTEV. Totally delicious! Thanks Dreena
Dreena says
Thanks Stephanie 🙂
Jamie says
Will you put pin it buttons on all your recipes!? I would love that.
Nina says
Dreena, it looks like a great recipe. However, there are still six directions located in one big fat paragraph labeled 1, It can’t be number one unless there is at least a number two. You need one through six. Please work on this !