Public service announcement: this dessert is for true dessert lovers only. It’s rich and creamy with the combination of fresh strawberries and thick chocolate mousse, and then if that wasn’t enough I added crumbles of fudgy brownies. Nope, this is not low fat. But guess what? It is made of all healthy fats, naturally sweetened and satisfies your sweet tooth like a boss! This layered vegan strawberry chocolate mousse dessert is easy to make and the perfect way to wow your friends!
Red juicy fresh strawberries are probably one of my absolute favorite fruits. As summer approaches and the strawberry season arrives I just can’t get enough. With the huge success of my newest Perfect Date Sweetened Brownies (if you haven’t tried them, just stop now and make them asap), I decided I NEEDED to use them in another recipe. With strawberries, I think chocolate. And these brownies are the most amazing fudgy, chewy chocolatey brownies I have ever had. If you know me, you know I love variation in my textures, so with juicy strawberries and rich chewy brownies, I threw in a thick delicious raw vegan chocolate mousse. Hello drool, it’s nice to have you back.
The raw chocolate mousse I made here is a little thicker than your traditional light and airy mousse. I needed something substantial, something that could play a strong game with these chewy brownie crumbles and fresh strawberries. And that it did. The secret to making a nice thick mousse, cashews. Is there anything cashews can’t do?! And where else do I turn when I need some cashews? Well one of my fave companies NOW Foods of course! It just so happens I always have a bag of their cashews at the ready, so into the blender they went. And out came my final layer in this layered chocolate mousse dessert!
Are you convinced yet? There should be no hesitations on this one. You can even keep this vegan dessert completely RAW by taking out the brownies (but still make them and eat them another time). And guess what, if you do that then this is ONLY 5 INGREDIENTS!! Um, a 5 ingredient vegan layered chocolate mousse dessert? YES PLEASE. And I bet you have them all in your pantry (I’ll wait while you check). Got ’em? Good. So as if this wasn’t easy enough, let me hook you up with a few of my tricks.
Tips to plan ahead and make this uber easy:
Make sure you soak your cashews and make those Perfect Date Sweetened Brownies. The brownies get better the next day anyway, plus you always need brownies in your life.
This is the perfect treat for everyone in the family too, adapt it for the little ones!
Ideas for babies and toddlers:
Omit the brownies and add more fresh strawberries for a wholesome healthy treat for the kiddos!
For a baby, you can even puree the strawberries and mix in a bit of the coconut cream for a dose of healthy fats.
So now go my grasshopper. Go off and create this incredible summer treat! You’ll get all sorts of good feelers coursing through your body once you’ve introduced it to this raw vegan layered strawberry chocolate mousse dessert!! And don’t forget the brownie if you’re ok without the fully raw. You won’t regret it! Make sure you leave me a comment as soon as you’re able to put down the spoon. And don’t forget to find me on Instagram, tag me at veggiesdontbite and #veggiesdontbite so I don’t miss it, and on Facebook. I can’t wait to see your strawberry chocolate mousse piles!!
- 1/2 cup raw cashews I use NOW Foods brand (soak overnight if not using a high speed blender)
- 1 can full fat coconut milk placed in refrigerator overnight or freezer for 2-3 hours
- 10 pitted medjool dates
- 1/2 cup cacao powder
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- Perfect Vegan Date Sweetened Brownies leave out to keep raw
- Make brownies if haven’t already. Allow to cool, then crumble until you get 1 cup worth. Save the rest of the brownies to devour later.
- Take the can of coconut milk out of the refrigerator/freezer and open it. Using a spoon, remove the harder white thick layer from the top and put into a blender, reserving the clear coconut water for a later use if you want. It makes a great addition to smoothies!
- Add in the cashews, dates and cacao powder and blend until smooth.
- Wash and slice strawberries.
- Layer in 8 ounce mason jars or container of choice. Start by putting 1/4 cup of brownie crumbles at the bottom of each container, then add 1/4 of the mousse mixture in each cup, then add 1/4 cup strawberries. Repeat. You can also layer any way you prefer as well. Leave out the brownie layer if making raw.
Soak nuts overnight if not using a high speed blender, but if crunched for time, soak in warm water for at least 2 hours or boil for 30 minutes. You can use another type of date, but taste for sweetness level and adjust amount since different dates have different tastes.
Tips to prep ahead: Make brownies if using. Soak cashews.
Baby/toddler food idea: Great sweet treat for littles! You can omit brownies and use more fresh strawberries for a wholesome and healthy kid treat. For a baby you can even puree the strawberries and mix in a bit of the coconut cream for a dose of healthy fats.
This post was sponsored by NOW Foods but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Chocolate and strawberry is just so classic and so so good! Your PSA should have been “these are all for Rebecca so go away!” Bahahaha!
Delishioso! xo
veggiesdontbite says
Hahahaha!! I may or may not have hid when I ate the last one…my kids are little hawks with food, they would have devoured it all!
Jenn says
Chocolate and strawberries were meant to go together. That mouse looks insane! Super thick and rich. Love it!
veggiesdontbite says
Yep. They sure are! This was just a craving that made it’s way into an actual recipe! Thanks Jenn!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
This looks absolutely wonderful! I can’t get enough strawberries right now so I just know I would love this!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Annie!! I can’t get enough either!! Love them!!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I don’t often do the chocolate + fruit combination, but this looks so amazing I would definitely give it a try! I’m so intrigued by that vegan chocolate mousse.
veggiesdontbite says
You know that I don’t usually love the chocolate and fruit combo with many fruits either, especially not citrus. But with strawberries, it’s just SO good!! And definitely try the mousse. It’s thicker than the traditional because I needed to thicken it so it could uphold the strawberries and the brownie crumbles, but it is so delicious! Especially for something so healthy.
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
When I have anything rich and chocolatey I always want some fresh strawberries to balance it out. Absolutely beautiful!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Lauren! Rich and chocolate is amazing isn’t it? Well, maybe not for bikini season, but oh well. LOL!
safira says
Looks delicious and vegan too? Wow. Love strawberries and cashews!
veggiesdontbite says
Yes! It’s both delicious and has no dairy! Thank you!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
This looks like one of the healthiest chocolate desserts in the world. Chocolate and strawberries are a match made in heaven.
veggiesdontbite says
I strive to make healthy desserts that don’t taste healthy! Ha! As much as I love my healthy food I also love good rich desserts so when I can bring both to the table, I am one happy girl! Thank you Bintu!
Shubha says
Chocolate and strawberries are like match made in heaven:) this mousse looks so gorgeous ..just perfect:)
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Shubha! Such a great pair!
The Vegan 8 says
This looks like a date-lovers chocolate dream and to top it all off with beautiful strawberries is just too pretty! Olivia would go to town on something like this! She LOVES strawberries! Cashews are the freaking best thing in life too! Great use of them here woman!
veggiesdontbite says
It’s such a great snack for kids because it’s full of healthy fats and healthy sweeteners but tastes like a dessert! My kids devour it. Thanks lady!!
Mandy says
I love that your brain goes right to chocolate…as it should! Haha!!! I live for this season because of all the wonderful, fresh berries….especially strawberries! This mousse looks insanely good and decadent. YUM! <3
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Mandy! Obviously, chocolate. Always. LOL!!
Marie says
This dessert looks soooo delicious. I have an intolerance to cashews. Can you suggest what I can substitute cashews with?
Marie
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Marie! Thank you so much!! I’m so sorry you have an intolerance to cashews! Unfortunately you won’t get the same exact consistency or flavor as cashews are such a soft and creamy nut. My only suggestion is perhaps for this dessert try macadamia nuts, walnuts or hazelnuts? If you try this let me know how it goes! You could also make this a tofu based mousse, or even avocado based. Here’s a link to an chocolate avocado pudding on my blog that you could use in place of the chocolate here but do everything else the same: https://www.veggiesdontbite.com/salted-caramel-chocolate-espresso-protein-pudding/
Anna says
Like chocolate and strawberries aren’t enough to put you in a good mood, there are brownie crumbles too!!! Heaven!!! Yummo all the way, xxx
veggiesdontbite says
Awe, thank you!! It’s so good!!! And it’s supposed to attach a link, it’s a plugin called comment love which allows other bloggers to attach their latest post to help my awesome blogger friends spread the word about their great recipes too!!
Anna says
Oh…not sure why it attached link to my muffins!!! :/ didn’t mean to do that! 🙂