Decadent black forest dessert cups with layers of avocado chocolate mousse, whipped cream, macerated and fresh cherries. These cups are easier and quicker to make than the traditional German black forest cake and don’t require any baking! The recipe is undetectably vegan, dairy-free, egg-free and refined sugar free.
Ingredients you’ll need
The full list of ingredient quantities and instructions are in the gray recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Notes about the ingredients
Ripe avocado for the chocolate mousse. It’s best to use a variety of avocados that are naturally creamy, such as Hass.
Fresh cherries. If you’re in a pinch, you can skip the maceration process and use canned or jarred cherries just like in my black forest trifle. For a sweeter dessert, use maraschino cherries or canned cherry pie filling!
Maple syrup sweetens the avocado mousse and helps macerate the cherries.
Melted dark chocolate adds richness to the avocado mousse and makes it thicker. Alternatively, you can use more cocoa powder.
Dairy-free whipping cream that’s designed for whipping. Alternatively, you can use canned coconut cream or a thick dairy-free yogurt!
Prepare the cherries and whipping cream
The macerated cherries add texture and flavor to the black forest dessert cups! To macerate the cherries, stir them in a little maple syrup and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. The maple syrup draws more moisture out of the cherries, which softens the cherries and creates a delicious cherry juice.
If you’d like to make this dessert ahead of time, you can macerate the cherries overnight. For extra flavor, you can add a dash of kirsch or cherry liqueur.
For the whipping cream, it’s best to follow your packet instructions. Most whipping creams are best chilled, so make sure you don’t leave it at room temperature for too long :).
Prepare the avocado mousse
The avocado mousse is easy to prepare as you’re just blending all the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth
TOP TIP! Make sure your ingredients are near room temperature. Cold ingredients will set the melted chocolate, and you’ll have chunks of chocolate throughout your mousse. Been there, done that! If this happens, transfer the mousse to a microwave-safe bowl, slightly heat the mousse in the microwave, and blend again. Or heat the mousse in a small saucepan over low heat and whisk well.
After blending, your mousse will have a soft pudding-like consistency. If you’d like a firmer mousse, chill the mousse in your fridge for at least 30 minutes. You can also make the mousse 1-2 days ahead of time.
Assembling and serving
There are no rules to assembling these black forest dessert cups. The recipe makes around 2-3 very generous portions (pictured) or around 6 smaller portions (perfect for serving after a heavy dinner)
These dessert cups are also wonderful layered with:
- Crushed chocolate cookies
- Pieces of chocolate cake or brownies
- Chocolate chips
- Ice cream!
More desserts using cherries
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Black Forest Dessert Cups
Decadent black forest dessert cups with layers of avocado chocolate mousse, whipped cream, macerated and fresh cherries. These cups are easier and quicker to make than the traditional German black forest cake and don’t require any baking! The recipe is undetectably vegan, dairy-free, egg-free and refined sugar free.
Servings: 3 generous servings, or 6 small servings
Ingredients
Macerated Cherries and Cream (note 1 for make-ahead instructions)
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Instructions
Prepare the cherries and cream:
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In a small bowl, stir the cherries with the maple syrup. Add more maple syrup if desired. Set aside in the fridge until needed.
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Add the cream to a large bowl (if using an electric mixer), or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whip the cream according to packet instructions. Chill the cream in the fridge until needed.
Prepare the avocado chocolate mousse:
Assemble:
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In 3 or more serving glasses, layer the whipped cream, chocolate mousse and macerated cherries as desired. Make sure you add the cherry syrup with the cherries. Top with additional fresh cherries and chocolate servings.
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Serve the black forest dessert cups immediately, or store them covered in the fridge until needed. The assembled cups keep well for around 6 hours in the fridge, depending on the stability of your whipped cream (see Note 1).
Notes
- Make ahead instructions: The macerated cherries and avocado mousse can be prepared 1-2 days ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until needed. Many dairy-free creams keep very well in the fridge so you can prepare and layer the cups a whole day before serving. If your cream deflates quickly, assemble your cups a few hours before serving.
- If you’re in a pinch, you can use canned, jarred or frozen cherries inside the black forest dessert cups and skip the maceration process. Drain most of the liquid from the cherries, leaving a few tablespoons. If desired, use the excess liquid in the avocado mousse. If you’re using fresh sour cherries, use at least 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to at least 2 tablespoons (45g). To decorate the cups, fresh cherries are better for presentation, but other cherries will still be delicious.
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