Decadent Vegan Chocolate Tart Recipe

by | May 26, 2019 | Recipes & DIY | 2 comments

There’s no denying it: I’m a big fan of dessert. I just love to top off my dinner with a little something sweet.

Some nights it’s something simple such as berries or other fruit, and some nights it’s a little more decadent.

Insert this delicious vegan chocolate tart recipe. This tart has a plot twist, though, and I’m not sure if I should tell you now or make you wait until I reveal the recipe below.

Alright, I’ll give you one hint: It has to do with the filling (think green) … Give up? It’s one of my favorite healthy fat sources: avocado!

While I was creating this vegan tart, it dawned on me that I should mix my love for chocolate with my love for avocado. And it’s perfect for this dessert because it provides the creamy, rich texture you expect in a decadent chocolate tart.

So, I did. And I must say, it turned out quite well—like a match made in vegan tart heaven.

Recipe Qualities

  • Chocolatey
  • Silky-smooth
  • Rich
  • Decadent

Ingredients

  • Almond flour
  • Avocado
  • Cocoa powder
  • Coconut cream

 

3 Health Benefits of This Vegan Chocolate Tart Recipe

1. Supports healthy weight management

Almond flour has been shown to promote weight management as well as help regulate cholesterol levels by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol. For those reasons, I like to use it as a base ingredient in my tart crust.

In fact, one study showed that consuming almonds played a significant role in weight management over time. The researchers found that when compared to people who ate self-selected complex carbs over a period of 24 weeks, adults who ate almonds experienced greater and sustained weight loss. [1]

And just in case you’re wondering, there’s no need to feel guilty about adding some cocoa powder into this tart for a boost of chocolate flavor.

Research has shown that cocoa may support your weight management goals. Different studies have revealed that consuming cocoa can lead to optimal metabolism and Body Mass Index (BMI). [2,3,4]

This delicious tart also supports healthy weight management with the use of coconut cream. Coconuts act as super suppliers of mighty medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which help to keep you fuller for more extended periods as well as improve your metabolism and fat-burning capabilities. [5,6]

Finally, avocados are delicious and nutritious additions to any meal, which is why I included them in my vegan tart filling.

With a unique profile, avocados pack a healthy dose of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which help curb those sugar cravings. And by curbing those cravings, MUFAs can help to prevent you from overindulging and snacking, which supports weight management.

2. Provides cardiovascular support

Almonds contain antioxidants, which help to lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. They can also help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, which has been shown to improve heart health. This, in turn, lowers the risk for developing serious cardiovascular diseases. [7,8,9]

Cocoa also may be beneficial for your heart, due to its abundance of antioxidants, flavanols, and other powerful nutrients. It’s also been shown to have the ability to improve blood flow, resulting in more regulated cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

When combined, these benefits may aid in reducing the development of cardiovascular disease. [10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]

Coconut cream may aid in improving heart health as well, and that’s one of the reasons I included it in this vegan chocolate tart filling. Coconuts contain saturated fats and fatty acids, such as lauric acid. Lauric acid may help lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.

These are significant results that can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke as well as lower blood pressure. [18]

In addition to containing heart-healthy MUFAs, avocados supply antioxidants that not only help to reduce inflammation but also help to reduce the risk for cardiovascular complications and heart disease. [19,20,21,22]

Vanillin, which is the core property of vanilla extract, provides a plethora of benefits for your health. Research reveals that vanillin may help reduce cholesterol levels and promote a healthy heart. [23] I love adding vanilla to dessert recipes because of its signature sweet flavor, so don’t skip out on adding it to this vegan chocolate tart recipe.

3. Supports proper digestion

As you can probably tell by now, avocados live up to their hype as a top healthy source of fat. They provide wide-ranging benefits through their nutrient-dense composition.

Specifically, avocados contain carotenoids and fiber, which are known to support gut health.

Carotenoids are fat-soluble nutrients that help fight free radicals, which reduces inflammation and therefore your gut function and immunity.

Because avocados are also high in fiber, they can help to cleanse your digestive tract of waste and toxins. And getting rid of toxins is key to keeping your digestive system running smoothly. [24]

Finally, the oil found in coconuts may also improve your digestive health by warding off harmful bacteria and helping your body absorb critical nutrients.

Vegan Chocolate Tart Recipe

As you can see, you can have your cake (or tart) and eat it, too! So, the next time you want to reach for a pint of ice cream, consider making this rich vegan chocolate tart instead.

This recipe is deceptively easy to prepare. With just a few steps and an episode of your favorite Netflix series, you could be diving into this delicious, healthy vegan chocolate tart before you know it.

So, go grab your food processor, and let’s get started!

Time: 55 minutes

Serves: 8

 

Vegan chocolate tart ingredients - Dr. Pingel

 

Ingredients

Crust:

1 cup cashews

¾ cup almond flour

6-8 Medjool dates, pits removed

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup desiccated coconut

1 teaspoon sea salt

Mixed berries, to taste

 

Filling:

One 13.5-ounce can coconut cream

? cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 large avocado, pit and skin removed

2-3 tablespoons maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

 

Directions

1. In a food processor, add all the crust ingredients and blend on high until well combined and clumpy.

Vegan chocolate tart: step 1 - Dr. Pingel

2. In an 8-inch tart dish, place the crust mixture. Use your hands and press the crushed mixture into the dish.

Vegan chocolate tart: crust mixture - Dr. Pingel

3. Place the crust in the refrigerator until the filling is prepared.

4. In a high-speed blender, add all the filling ingredients. Blend until well combined.

Vegan chocolate tart filling - Dr. Pingel

5. Pour the filling over the crust and return to the fridge for 30 to 40 minutes, or until set.

Vegan chocolate tart with filling - Dr. Pingel

6. Serve topped with berries, desiccated coconut, or even a drizzle of chocolate!

Vegan chocolate tart slice - Dr. Pingel

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does. If you try it, leave a comment or tag me so I can see!

 

Vegan chocolate tart recipe - Dr. Pingel

Vegan Chocolate Tart

Serves: 8
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • 1 cup cashews
  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 6-8 Medjool dates, pits removed
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • Mixed berries, to taste

Filling

  • 1 13.5-ounce can coconut cream
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 large avocado, pit and skin removed
  • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • In a food processor, add all the crust ingredients and blend on high until well combined and clumpy.
  • In an 8-inch tart dish, place the crust mixture. Use your hands and press the crushed mixture into the dish.
  • Place the crust in the refrigerator until the filling is prepared.
  • In a high-speed blender, add all the filling ingredients. Blend until well combined.
  • Pour the filling over the crust and return to the fridge for 30 to 40 minutes, or until set.
  • Serve topped with berries, desiccated coconut, or even a drizzle of chocolate!