This protein-packed chocolate pudding really is one of my favorite “comfort” desserts (also great for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack!). Eating this brings back memories… When I was a kid, my Aunt Rachel made the best Chocolate Cream Pie on the planet!  For every holiday, birthday, or special family get-together, she always made me a chocolate pie.  In the early years, she’d ask what I wanted for dessert.  But after a while it became obvious that she could ask, but my special request was always going to be her amazing chocolate pie!  I miss both her, and her pie, dearly…I suppose that’s why I have such sweet memories every time I take a bite of this pudding I whipped up one day on a whim.

I keep thinking that I’m going to get some of my favorite recipes compiled into a cookbook.  But when you’re somebody that cooks by the seat of your pants, rarely making the same thing twice…it’s a challenge to nail down a recipe.  Recipes to me are more like suggestions!  A springboard from which to start making changes.  And, since over the years I’ve dealt with tons of food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances, the question of what CAN I eat that my body will take and use appropriately continues to be a moving target.

So, if you’re anything like me, the ingredients below for my yummy protein-packed chocolate pudding with blueberries will be recommended “suggestions.”  Feel free to modify and adapt based on your body’s desires and needs for the right foods.

This is a sugar-free recipe (until you add the blueberries!). So, if you’re looking to cut sugar completely out of your life, you can still enjoy this chocolate pudding, just skip the fruit.

Remember – it’s a-ok to swap out ingredients and find the right combination of things that work best for you!  Sometimes I leave the chia seeds out… Sometimes I leave the protein powder out…  Sometimes I add more protein powder…  Or more yogurt and no water… You could add different berries, cacao nibs for a little crunch.  Eat with a gluten-free graham cracker for that “pie” feeling.  Or add a dollop of coconut or cashew cream for an extra kick!  The possibilities are endless.  Here’s my base recipe to get you started:

Aliesa’s Healthy Protein-Packed Chocolate Pudding with Blueberries

Ingredients                                                                                                                

• ½ Cup Plain Yogurt (I used to use non-fat plain Greek yogurt… currently I prefer a dairy-free Coconut yogurt, or other Nut milk yogurt – homemade when I have time to whip up a batch.)
• ½ C water
• 1 T Chia Seeds
• 1 t Cacao Powder (Hershey’s Cocoa Powder works fine too)
• 4 drops liquid stevia dark chocolate flavored (more or less to taste)
• 2 T Sunflower Nut Butter (I use Organic SunButter – it’s just nuts no added oils or sugars)
• 1 Fuxion Ganomas Cappuccino packet (dry)
• 1/4 package of Fuxion BioPro Active Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Powder (dry)
• ½ Cup fresh Blueberries

Directions

Place all ingredients in a bowl, except blueberries. Use a spoon to hand mix until thoroughly blended.  Add blueberries, stir, put on the lid, and refrigerate to let the chia seeds soak.

Helpful hint – I usually make this in a Mason Jar.  It’s easy, serving sized, and quick to make ahead to grab and go.

Serving Size and Calories

It depends on how many calories you’re counting to calculate a serving size.  For me, the recipe above is 1 very generous LARGE meal-sized serving (I estimate approximately 432 calories with a whopping 28.1 g of plant-based protein).  Or 2 Medium-sized servings (approx. 216 calories).  If you were into a 2-bite dessert you could probably make this into 4-6 servings!  I happen to be a pudding pig and this usually becomes a high-protein, morning or mid-afternoon meal for me.

Getting All the Ingredients

Don’t have the Fuxion products in your kitchen pantry? Swap it out for something else (but I can’t guarantee the taste!). If you’re interested in ordering the Ganomas Cappuccino mix, and BioPro X Active Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Powder that I used in this recipe, or trying some of the other healthy sugar-free Fuxion functional beverage drinks that I enjoy and cook with regularly,  click here to visit my Fuxion virtual shop scroll thru to find the products you want, and order a box today!

It’s not my Aunt Rachel’s chocolate cream pie.  But I know it’s better for me!  Quick and easy, and oh so yummy.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.