Weight Watchers Friendly Mousse

• Yields: 2 generous servings

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Chill Time: 30 minutes (minimum)

• Total Time: 40 minutes

• Culinary Intensity: Easy – Perfect for beginners!

• Weight Watchers Info: 4 Points per serving on myWW® (Blue, Green, and Purple plans). Points are calculated based on specific brands and may vary.

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Ingredients

• 2 medium, ripe avocados (about 1 cup of flesh)

• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (high-quality recommended)

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup (or agave nectar)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp instant espresso powder (optional, but enhances chocolate flavor)

• A pinch of sea salt

• Toppings (optional): Fresh berries, shaved dark chocolate, a dollop of light whipped cream, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts.

Why These Ingredients Work for Weight Watchers

• Avocado: Provides the luxurious, creamy texture without any dairy. Its healthy monounsaturated fats are satisfying and help keep you full.

• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Delivers that intense chocolate flavor for zero SmartPoints, making it a powerhouse ingredient for WW desserts.

• Pure Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that is used sparingly to keep the point value low while providing a rich, nuanced sweetness compared to refined sugar.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Avocados

Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into the bowl of a food processor or high-powered blender. Using ripe avocados is crucial here—they should be soft to the touch but not brown or mushy inside.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, optional espresso powder, and pinch of sea salt to the food processor with the avocado.

Pro Tip: The espresso powder won’t make your mousse taste like coffee; it works to deepen and intensify the chocolate flavor, making it taste even richer.

Step 3: Blend Until Silky Smooth

Secure the lid on your food processor and blend the mixture. Start on low and gradually increase to high speed. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides once or twice to ensure everything is incorporated perfectly. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, with no visible chunks of avocado. This should take about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

This is the most important step! Stop and taste the mousse. Depending on your preference and the ripeness of your avocados, you might want to adjust the sweetness or chocolate intensity.

• Not sweet enough? Add another tablespoon of maple syrup and blend again.

• Want more chocolate punch? Add another tablespoon of cocoa powder.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Divide the mousse evenly between two serving glasses or ramekins. Cover them with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is essential as it allows the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up into a classic, mousse-like consistency.

When ready to serve, add your favorite zero or low-point toppings like fresh raspberries, a few shavings of dark chocolate, or a mint leaf for a beautiful presentation.

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Chef’s Notes & Recipe Variations

• Avoiding a “Green” Taste: The cocoa and maple syrup completely mask the flavor of the avocado. However, if you are sensitive to the taste, ensure your avocados are perfectly ripe and add the optional espresso powder, as it helps neutralize any lingering vegetal notes.

• Texture is Key: If your mousse seems too thick, you can thin it out with a tablespoon of unsweetened almond milk or water while blending.

• Flavor Twists:

  • Orange Chocolate: Add ½ teaspoon of orange zest to the food processor for a bright, citrusy twist.

  • Mint Chocolate: Substitute the vanilla extract with ¼ teaspoon of pure peppermint extract.

  • PB&J Mousse: Swirl in one tablespoon of powdered peanut butter (like PB2) and top with a layer of sugar-free strawberry jam.

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Storage & Lasting of the Recipe

This mousse is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a short period.

• Refrigerator: Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The color may darken slightly due to the avocado oxidizing, but it is still safe to eat. Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the mousse can help prevent this.

• Freezer: For a firmer, ice-cream-like treat, you can freeze the mousse for up to 1 month. Let it thaw in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving.

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Nutrition Information

(The following nutritional information is an estimate calculated using a database and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.)

Serving Size: ½ of the recipe (without toppings)
Calories: 218
Total Fat: 11g

• Saturated Fat: 2g
  Cholesterol: 0mg
  Sodium: 10mg
  Total Carbohydrates: 34g

• Dietary Fiber: 9g

• Total Sugars: 20g

• Includes 0g Added Sugars
  Protein: 4g

Key Nutrient Highlights: This dessert is not just low in points; it’s a nutritional win! It’s an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety. It’s also rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from the avocado and packed with flavanols from the cocoa powder, which are known for their antioxidant properties.

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We hope you love this simple, satisfying, and smart dessert as much as we do. It’s the perfect way to prove that healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up on life’s sweetest pleasures. Enjoy!