Who says you need dairy to make a rich, satisfying, and “creamy” dessert? There are plenty of high-fat dairy-free ingredients that lend themselves perfectly to creating the richest, tastiest (and simple-to-prepare) treats. The trick? Think a little “outside the box” and be willing to experiment with new and unusual ingredients… Who knows – you might just be surprised at the deliciousness you discover!
Some may love dairy, while others may find it leads to GI distress or other undesirable symptoms. If dairy isn’t working for you – then no need to keep it in your daily menu! Dairy-containing ingredients tend to be rich, creamy, and high in fat. Of course – there are some exceptions – but, for the most part, chefs will add dairy to a meal to add a rich, silky, creamy texture OR increase the salt content (ie: with cheese!).
When creating dairy-free desserts, we need to look for ingredients that can offer a similar rich and creamy consistency as dairy-containing ingredients have. Rather than using cream, milk, or butter, we can use other fats such as coconut milk (canned), soaked nuts, nut butters, avocado, or chocolate to achieve a similar texture.
In this dairy-free cream dessert recipe, Chef Kenzie uses coconut oil, dark chocolate, and soaked cashews for added fats. Once blended together, these ingredients make a deliciously rich dessert – similar to a traditional chocolate whipped cream mousse! She finishes off the dessert with a few raw cashews, and optional add-ins for textural contrast and interesting flavors.
What would you add to your dairy-free cream dessert? Comment your ideas below or snap a picture of your sweet treat and post it in our Facebook Group. We always love to see what you’ve been cooking!
Check out our downloadable meal planning classes. Each class comes with an eBook including a Specialized One-Week Meal Plan and Prep Sheet, or Specialized Recipes, as well as Additional Resources prepared by Chef Dawn Ludwig and Chef Kenzie Osborne. Each class also has the option to add-on downloadable presentation slides for more recipes and extra resources.
For more sweet treats, check out our Dairy Free Desserts and Snacks Class (with eBook!)
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Manhattan-Style Clam Chowder (Dairy-Free)