Raw, Vegan Strawberry Chocolate “Trifle”
Tri-fle: noun: A thing of little importance. Britt: a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream. Ok…so we are taking raw food liberties again…it really isn’t a traditional trifle but it is a darn good raw version!
I remember the first trifle I ever had. I was in dessert heaven simply because I love contrast. I love hot/cold, crunchy/smooth, sweet/sour. Texture, temperature, and flavors at odds can create the most interesting dishes. Encountering a dessert that combined different layers of taste and texture both fascinated and delighted me.
In this strawberry chocolate trifle, there are 4 different textures and 4 different flavors. Starting with the crunchy layer, topped with a ganache layer, this trifle then moves into a chocolate mousse topped with strawberries and then finally a vanilla mousse! Lather, rinse repeat and you have a beautiful layered dessert that will delight the taste buds. This is a great addition to your healthy dessert recipes!
Remember, this is a dessert and should be treated as such. Raw desserts are a wonderful addition to a healthy raw diet, but should not be the center of one.
Raw Strawberry Chocolate Trifle
Serves 8
Crunchy Layer
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (granulated)
- 4 dates, coarsely chopped
- Place all ingredients in blender and pulse until well combined.
Ganache Layer
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice
- 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
Vanilla “Mousse”
- 1 1/2 cup cashews, soaked until soft
- 1/4 cup liquid sweetener, I used maple syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 vanilla bean (scrape out interior and use)
- Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Refrigerate until set. Make sure you give this enough time. It will take a few hours.
Chocolate “Mousse”
- 1 1/2 cups cashews, soaked until soft
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup liquid sweetener, I used maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
- Blend all ingredients in high-speed blender until smooth.
- Refrigerate until set.
For Assembly:
- 1 pint strawberries
- Slice strawberries thinly.
- Layer crunch, ganache, chocolate “mousse”, strawberries, vanilla “mousse”, strawberries, vanilla “mousse”, chocolate “mousse”, ganache and crunch.
- Alternatively…layer any way you want.
*I layered this in 4 10 oz glasses. Each glass makes 2 servings for a total of 4 servings. If you want separate servings, use smaller glasses. Or, make it in one big bowl!
Ashe wrote on March 15, 2014
I adore Trifle. Mine tasted great but I was unable to get it to look like the photos. Thanks for sharing.
sandra wrote on March 3, 2014
I love your version of trifle – much better than the Brits’ – so much more healthy.
Sarah (peace love kale) wrote on February 27, 2014
This looks absolutely divine. Can’t wait to try it out! 🙂
Alex wrote on February 24, 2014
Dear Susan,
Just finished layering it. It looks amazing, cannot wait to try it, although the layers came out a little bit blurry, but i am sure it won’t affect the taste. Keep up the good work!
Jane wrote on February 21, 2014
Hi there, thank you again for such an amazing recipe! I am making this for my fater in-law’s 70 birthday dinner tomorrow night just wanted to know if you think (once the mousse’s are set) do you think I could assemble the trifle in advance or should I assemble just before serving?
Thank you again…love your site!
Cheers, Jane
Australia
Suzy wrote on February 20, 2014
This looks sooooooo amazing! I really want to make it, but strawberries are not in season atm, might try it with raspberries!
Elizabeth wrote on February 19, 2014
Looks divine, but … being allergic to nuts, do you think substituting tofu in the mousse would work?
Susan wrote on February 19, 2014
Hi, Elizabeth, I think you would be better off trying to find a chocolate mousse recipe that is specifically formulated for tofu. Tofu is also cooked soybeans so, I don’t use it in a raw recipe. Cheers!