Dark Velvet Bliss
ABC Pudding with a Boozy Twist
It’s decadence personified: ABC Pudding. But what if I told you I found a way to improve on this already highly indulgent dessert?
Vegatarian | GF | Soy-free | Nut-free | No rice
In this blog you’ll find my fully grown-up version of this otherwise ridiculously healthy dessert.
The ‘Secret’ Ingredient of Dark Velvet Bliss
It must have been back in the early 2010’s when I first came across this raw vegan pudding that was quietly doing the rounds on vegan blogs. This indulgent dessert was usually simply called Avocado Banana Chocolate Pudding, which later got shortened to ABC pudding. It consisted of just three ingredients: avocado, banana, and cocoa.
No added sugars or other sweeteners. No dodgy ingredients. Just these three.
As someone who hated avocados (and quite passionately so) I was sceptical, yet intrigued. Could the banana and cocoa mask the taste of the avocado to the point where I could actually stomach it?
I tried the classic recipe and was blown away. It wasn’t just tolerable—every single spoonful was pure decadence!
Yet, I still felt it needed something extra. And I I knew exactly what was missing. Enter the ‘secret’ ingredient: alcohol.
I admit it: I love booze. In very moderate amounts, mind you (in all my 60+ years I’ve never been drunk, and I intend to keep it that way), but I like to smuggle it into my culinary creations as often as possible.
Variations
For my Boozy ABC Pudding, I chose Baileys, but if you prefer a vegan alternative, Amaretto or Licor 43 work quite well, too. I’ve tried both. Just to be sure. 😉
In fact, the Licor 43 version is a perfect summer dessert, served with a sugared fruit slice, or maybe a strawberry on top.
Coffee lovers might like to spice their Dark Velvet Bliss up with a teaspoon of instant coffee blended into it, and served in style.
I’ve even got an alcohol-free variation for… well, I guess for your children, as I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t be reading this if you don’t want a boozy dessert. And no, it’s not the plain classic version.
For the kiddy-version, simply use coffee-syrup instead of Baileys. My personal favourite is Monin Pumpkin Spice, but caramel or hazelnut would work equally well here.
Serving Your ABC Pudding in Style
- Serve in a nice glass, topped with chocolate shavings and/or squirty cream.
- For the perfect Christmas dessert, top with white chocolate shavings and an After Eight.
- If you’re a coffee lover, dust with cocoa or cinnamon, and arrange three chocolate mocha beans on top.
Spoonie Tips
- Dark Velvet Bliss takes only minutes to prepare, which makes it a perfect dessert for Spoonies.
- Be careful with alcohol if you’re using medications that might interact with it.
- Have some overripe bananas? They work really well and add extra sweetness to this indulgent dessert..
Storage
While I don’t recommend storing this pudding, it will keep for up to three days in the fridge. I never tried freezing it, so if you do, let me know how it worked out.
Allergy Information
- Free from: gluten, eggs, nuts, soy, sesame
- Always check labels for allergens
- Be aware that some alcoholic beverages can contain gluten
Step-by-Step Dark Velvet Bliss Recipe
Dark Velvet Bliss
Equipment
- 1 Jug
- 1 immersion blender or blender
- 2 ice cream bowls footed
Ingredients
- 1 small avocado or ½ medium-sized avocado
- 2 bananas
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp Baileys or vegan alternative (Amaretto or Licor 43 would work well)
Instructions
- Cut 1 small avocado in half vertically.
- Twist halves until one half detaches from the pit. Gently hack a knife into the pit and pull it out.
- Scoop out the avocado flesh and put it in a jug or blender.
- Peel 2 bananas and add them to the jug or blender.
- Add in ¼ cup cocoa powder and 1 tbsp Baileys.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Divide pudding over 2 glass ice cream bowls
- Chill in fridge for 1 hour before serving
Notes
- Dark Velvet Bliss takes only minutes to prepare, which makes it a perfect dessert for Spoonies.
- Be careful with alcohol if you’re using medications that might interact with it.
- Have some overripe bananas? They work really well and add extra sweetness to this indulgent dessert.
FAQ
Absolutely. The riper the banana, the sweeter your pudding will be
Fully ripe. If it’s still hard, it won’t blend nicely. However, it’s best not to use overripe avocados.
No. In fact, you shouldn’t. The banana gives this pudding all the sweetness it needs.
You can use mango instead. The taste will be different, but it will be every bit as smooth and indulgent as the original.
This post is part of the mini series The Gentle Art of Winter Cooking, a celebration of spoonie-friendly, easy, and nourishing dishes that provide warmth and comfort on cold days.
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