Chocolate Mousse

This creamy chocolate sensation is a big hit with the kids at HealthBarn USA. Many chocolate mousse recipes include heavy cream, but we substituted the cream for part skim ricotta cheese to cut back on the saturated fat. This delicious, all natural recipe only takes minutes to make, and it’s nutritious, too!  Slice up some fruit of the season to place on top of each serving, and you’ll be adding even more vitamins and minerals to this calcium-rich decadent snack or dessert.

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1 cup ricotta cheese, part skim
3 Tablespoons agave nectar
Seasonal fruit or sliced bananas (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Scoop ¼ cup of chocolate mixture into a small cups or ramekins and top with seasonal fruit or sliced bananas.

Makes approximately 4 servings (¼ cup per serving).

Nutrition Facts per serving: 140 calories; 5g fat (3g sat fat, 0g trans fat); 25mg cholesterol; 19g carbohydrate (1g fiber, 15g sugar); 7g protein; 85mg sodium; 4% Daily Value (DV) vitamin A; 10% DV calcium; 6% DV iron.

– Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, author, Appetite for Life, founder, HealthBarn USA, director, HealthBarn Foundation, and recognized as top 10 dietitians nationally by Today’s Dietitian magazine for her work with HealthBarn USA.