Three layer chocolate mocha salted caramel Parfait

This is one of my favourite raw, healthy desserts. The bottom layer is a decadent, antioxidant packed chocolate avocado mousse with tons of healthy fats, magnesium and iron. I taught this dessert to a client at a private cooking class and her 4-year-old son loved it. The mark of a good dessert, when you can get your little one to eat avocado and avoid overly processed sugar!

The middle layer is a mocha cashew cream, not too sweet but light and airy – a good contrast to the chocolatey bottom layer. Don’t like coffee? Just omit the espresso powder and add a bit more vanilla or even some ground cardamom.

The top layer is a pecan salted caramel, with five simple ingredients. The dates provide fiber, copper and natural sweetness, and is a perfect topper to this yummy dessert. This can be frozen and allowed to thaw for a few minutes before serving. It keeps for about a day in the fridge, but not longer, as the avocado will start breaking down. I hope you try and enjoy it, and share it with friends!

Ingredients – serves 4

Avocado layer

• 2 ripe, soft avocados
• 4 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 5 tbsp maple syrup (pure)
• 1/4 cup almond or coconut milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients in a high powered blender, layer into the bottom of 4 parfait glasses.

Cashew Layer

• 1 cup cashews, soaked overnight
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (pure)
• 2 tsp instant espresso powder
• 1/4 cup almond or coconut milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt

Drain and rinse the cashews. Mix all ingredients in high powered blender until creamy. Layer into the middle of the parfait glasses.

Salted pecan drizzle

• 1/4 cups pecans, soaked overnight
• 6 medjool dates, soaked for 15 minutes in warm water
• 1/8 cup water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 cup cacao nibs

Discard the pecan soaking liquid, and add all ingredients except cacao nibs to a blender. Mix until combined, adding water as needed. Pour onto the top of the parfaits. Top with the cacao nibs.

Refrigerate the parfaits at least 3 hours. Then serve. This dessert requires a bit of preparation, but is simple to prepare, and I promise your guests or family will love it!