No-Bake Chocolate Avocado Fudge

No-Bake Chocolate Avocado Fudge

Thanks to Alice Ma, Member-Owner, for sharing this recipe.

Because we published Alice’s recipe, Alice will receive a $25 gift card to the Co-op. You can win a gift card by sharing your recipe, too. If we publish it, we will give you a gift card! Submit recipes to marketing@peoples.coop

I created this recipe when I first started moving towards a vegan lifestyle in 2015. I wasn't familiar with how vegan desserts were made, and this was a super easy first try! This recipe holds an extra place in my heart because it helped me make a lot of friends when I first moved to Moscow, Idaho. I started a plant-based, budget-friendly cooking class series with the Moscow Food Co-op and this was part of the dessert class.It was by far, the most impressive recipe of the whole class series and having people love my food and give me such great feedback on a class I totally made up made me feel like such a part of the community that was new and foreign to me. I taught that same class for three years until the pandemic put a stop to it, but I also slowly became more involved with the Moscow Food Co-op through this class and ended up being President of the Board of Directors. In a way, this recipe launched my friendships and love for my Co-op. Now, eight years later, I have uprooted my life again to move to Portland. I am glad to see we have more than one Co-op here and love the atmosphere of People's.

Recipe

Serves 20-25

This recipe is no-bake, so it's great for hot weather when you want sweets but don't want to turn on the oven!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup nut or seed butter, melted slightly to make blending easier
• 1/2 cup mashed avocado (1/2 of a large avocado or one whole small one)
• 1 cup cocoa or carob powder
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, agave, or brown rice syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla or peppermint extract
• Optional: 3/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except nuts in a mixing bowl or food processor and mix
until smooth. Fold in chopped nuts. Spread mixture evenly in a baking dish or pan lined with
parchment paper. Freeze for approximately one hour, or until firm. Slice into 20-25 squares.

Raw Mini Key Lime Pie

Ingredients (makes 4)

Crust:
1/2 cup raw walnuts
5 dates, pitted
2 tbsp shredded coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Filling:
1 medium avocado
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
2 tbsp honey (sub maple syrup to make vegan)
juice and zest of 2 limes (1/4 cup lime juice)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Put the crust ingredients into a food processor and pulse until there are no chunks and you are able to mold the mixture in your hands. If it's not sticking then pulse a few more times or try adding a splash of water. Remove from the food processor and set aside in a bowl. Try not to eat all of it.
2. For the filling, put all the of ingredients into your food processor and process until smooth. Taste it and decide whether you'd like it more sweet (add honey) or more tart (add more lime juice).
3. Line a muffin tin with 4 muffin cups. Divide the date mixture evenly among the cups and press to create a mini compact crust. Then spoon the filling on to the crust. If you have extra filling then just pour it into another muffin cup for a crustless version...or just eat it right then and there with a spoon. Top with a sprinkle of shredded coconut and some lime zest, if desired.
4. Place in the freezer for at least a couple of hours or until solid. I like to let them sit out for 10 minutes to soften up a bit, but they are also good straight from the freezer.

Recipe and photo by Natalie Bickford.