Protein problems? Not with this chocolate protein pudding! This rich decadent dessert is veggie based and packed with protein and has zero refined sugar.
So quick question, where do you get your protein? Like I haven’t heard that about a zillion times. You simply utter the words “plant-based,” “no meat,” “vegan” and all of a sudden people are looking at you like you’re about to crumble up into a tiny ball of nothingness at their feet.
Sound familiar? Well, I’ve solved the problem. Dessert. Is there anything dessert can’t solve? I didn’t think so. This sweet rich decadent jar of yumminess is packed with protein, from the deep dark chocolate pudding to the salted caramel layer.
Move aside protein shake and make room for the newest kid on the block…vegan chocolate protein pudding.
We all love our smoothies and shakes, but when Sunwarrior came to me about their newest mix, the organic classic plus protein powder, I knew I wanted to do a little something different. Something classic and decadent.
I wanted to mix natures greatest protein sources with the deliciousness of Sunwarrior. What better way than taking the avocado based pudding I make for my boys and bumping it up a notch with some salted caramel on top? And now when someone asks where I get my protein, I can answer “dessert.” Bam! Take that!
Making Chocolate Protein Pudding
I am not much of a fan of runny pudding, gross. I like it thick and creamy, like this chocolate protein pudding. So thick that you have to lick your spoon multiple times before it will come off. So I don’t add any milk to my recipe.
It takes a good amount of time to get this smooth and creamy so keep on blending until you do. Another trick I tried was using my stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whisking it on high speed until super smooth.
Chocolate Protein Pudding Of Dreams
That works well if you don’t have a good blender or food processor. I also like my pudding with a rich deep flavor so I added a touch of espresso to it. I’m new to using espresso in things, I am NOT a coffee drinker and used to hate the taste of it in anything.
I’ve come around a bit though and in certain amounts, in certain desserts, it’s starting to show me a little something. The only problem is that I am super sensitive to it, so when I was trialing this dessert I was quite wired. I may or may not have moved at lightening speed for 3 days straight…so if you’re like me, then eat with caution. Maybe even wear a helmet.
Look at that thickness. How many licks of vegan chocolate protein pudding does it take to get to the spoon? You’ll need to try it out and let me know!
- 1/2 cup avocado (see note for other subs)
- 3/4 cup cocao powder ,can also use cacoa powder
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (see note for subs to make a sweeter result)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- 1 teaspoon finely ground espresso
- pinch sea salt
- 1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips (optional)
- 2-4 tablespoons cashew milk , or other plant based milk (optional to thin out, add 2 tablespoons at a time)
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut butter
- 2 tablespoons Sunwarrior Chocolate Protein Powder
- pinch sea salt
- In a blender add all the ingredients for the pudding layer. Blend until creamy and smooth.
- Separate evenly into 3 eight ounce jelly jars or containers of choice. If you don’t have a good blender, then you can also use a food processor or even use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer and whisk on high speed until creamy and smooth.
- In a small bowl add all the ingredients of the caramel layer except the salt. Heat in the microwave for 20 seconds. Using a small whisk, beat well until fully combined and a caramel like texture forms. Heat an extra 5-10 seconds if needed.
- Pour evenly into the 3 jars on top of the pudding layer.
- Allow the caramel layer to cool, then sprinkle a dash of salt on top of the caramel in each jar.
- Find out how many licks it takes to get through that thick dreamy pudding.
- You can sub the avocado for 1/2 cup cooked sweet potato. The texture and flavor will be a bit different but still good!
- Use 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or other sugar of choice) for sweeter result
- If you don’t have vanilla bean powder you can also scrape out a few vanilla beans to get the teaspoon needed. Depending on how seedy your beans are, you will probably need between 2 and 3.
- You could try using vanilla extract as well, but it won’t have the same exact taste. Use 1 teaspoon.
- If you don’t have chocolate protein powder, you could also use plain cacao or cocoa powder.
Baby/toddler food idea:
- Make the pudding layer but omit the espresso.
Letty / Letty's Kitchen says
Sophia,
I don’t see the protein powder in the recipe ingredients. Am I blind?
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Letty!! It’s there, in the caramel topping!
Alicia@ Eco Friendly Homemaking says
Oh my goodness this looks so delicious! Chocolate and caramel two of my favorites!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Alicia!! They are two of my faves too! But always so sweet, so I loved creating my own.
Howie Fox says
Wow this pudding is a power house! Espresso to wake you up, protein to rebuild muscle and all that for dessert 😀
Love the recipe!
veggiesdontbite says
Ha! Yes it is! Thanks so much!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
You already know how I feel about this {and in general about all your dessert in a jar jarry goodness}, but I came over anyhow to have a peek. And yep. These still look AMAZING! And I’d still all like three jars please 😛
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Audrey! Desserts are the best, especially ones that provide some health! I almost ate all three too ?
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
Haha! Oh yeah, I know this question, Sophia! 😀 I love your answer to it! And your pudding looks so incredibly delicious! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Sina! Dessert is the best answer to many things!!
Molly Kumar says
What can be better than ‘Salted Caramel’ – OMG…I so wanted to lick my screen looking at that pudding on the spoon!!! So So Drooooooolicious.
veggiesdontbite says
Haha!!! Glad you find it as Droolicious as we do!! Thank you!
Kyra says
I am so hungry looking at this pudding right now, oh my gosh, that salted caramel topping…drool! Definitely going to say “Dessert” next time someone asks where I get my protein 😀
veggiesdontbite says
Lol!! Thank you so much! I’d love to see the look on their face when you say it ?
Dina says
Honestly! This i by far the best caramel chocolate pudding I ever had. I do not like traditional caramel, it’s too sweet for me, but this one is so different.
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! Can you believe it has avocado?? I thought you’d like it!
Mandy says
If I had a ripe avocado, I would be whipping this up right now! OMG! This looks AHHHHMAZING!!! I love all the flavor components, so I know this will be a dangerous combo. Can’t wait to try this!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Mandy! It’s so good and you can always sub cacao powder for the protein powder. My kids love it too!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Salted caramel and chocolate…count me in! And I say the thicker the better!
veggiesdontbite says
Totally agree! I like my pudding so thick it can hold up my spoon! LOL!
Jenn says
Dang, Sophia! I just licked my screen! This looks so incredible…thick, creamy, luscious, delicious heaven! Need it!
veggiesdontbite says
OMG, I just laughed out loud! Thick and creamy for sure!
The Vegan 8 says
Omg YUM!! Haha, runny pudding, lmao! That would be syrup then, not pudding! I like mine thick and creamy and ultra smooth…well, pudding basically, LOL! I love the pudding I used to buy from the stores and that’s the consistency I like mine. I make mine with sweet potato and it makes it super thick and velvety smooth, but not overly thick. This looks SO GOOD girl!! Of course you know I love the chocolate and espresso and the salted caramel on top is just “icing” on the cake! I think it sounds like a great texture, isn’t avocado pudding usually made without milk anyways, so it doesn’t get too runny, or am I wrong? I NEED to try yours now, I think I might get over my fear of avocado desserts with this one since you put so much cocoa in it and the espresso and my favorite sweetener, syrup!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you SO much! I love my pudding thick thick thick! I used to get the instant pudding and put in only half the liquid so that it would be super thick. LOL. I use so much cacao in my recipe because it makes it nice and thick! I’ve seen some avocado pudding recipes with milk, but not mine! HA! I know you’d love it. You were the one that converted my over to the espresso side, so it’s my turn to convert you!
Linda @ Veganosity says
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me where I get my protein…..
Salted caramel is so good, I love the idea of this pudding. And I agree, if it’s runny, it’s not pudding, it’s soup. 😉
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Linda! Soup! LOL! Totally right! Now you can tell everyone you get your protein from dessert!