Welcome Potluckers!
I am so excited to the participating in the Virtual Vegan Potluck for the second time! The May potluck was such fun, I had a PJ day, and did nothing but scroll through the potluck, ogling delicious vegan meals, bookmarking, pinning and of course eating.. I connected with so many bloggers and discovered new blogs that are now some of my favourites. This is truly the vegan virtual networking event of the year!
I must, of course, extend my gratitude to Annie and the mentors for their amazing work in making another fantastic Virtual Vegan Potluck a reality. Thanks guys!
So, last time I brought pizza to the potluck, this time I wanted to bring something sweet! What’s so exciting about this dessert is that it contains the VVP Featured Ingredient, beetroot (beets)!
Now if you’ve been around here for a while, you will know that I love using beetroot in chocolate bakes. It’s earthiness compliments the chocolate so well, just like coffee does.
So, chocolate it had to be, in some form. But it had to be special and different to anything I’d made before. After some thought, this dessert was created: Layers of fruit and nut brownie chunks, chocolate coconut mousse, vanilla coconut mousse and crunchy caramelised cashews.
These are by far the best brownies I have ever eaten, you may recall me going on about chewy, crispy brownies before and how I’ve ever been able to make them just as I remember them. Well, now I have! They work so well in this dessert, working with the nuts to give some interesting texture to the mousse and the recipe makes more brownies than you’ll need for the mousse so you will have enough left to nibble on through the week or bring to work to share with your colleagues.
This dessert isn’t overly sweet but it is very decadently rich – a little goes a long way..
Ingredients: Serves 8
For the caramelised nuts:
- 100g/3/4 cup raw cashews
- 70g/1/3 cup unrefined brown sugar
- 1-2 tbsp water
For the brownies:
Adapted from Oh She Glows
- 2 1/4 tsp ground flax mixed with 1 1/2 tbsp water
- 50g/6 tbsp plain flour
- 70g/1/2 cup raw cashews, ground to a powder (or sub 3/4 cup ground almonds)
- 30g/1/4 cup carob or cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 45g/3 tbsp coconut butter or margarine
- 50g/1/4 cup dark dairy free chocolate chips
- 125g/1/2 cup + 2tbsp unrefined brown sugar (note: a reduction in sugar will lead to a more cake-like brownie)
- 45ml/3 tbsp beetroot puree (cooked beetroot, pureed until smooth)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup caramelised cashews (see below)
- 2 tbsp raisins
For the chocolate mousse:
- 1 can full fat, pure coconut milk, chilled overnight
- 75g/6 tbsp dark dairy free chocolate chips
- 1tsp coconut flour (optional)
For the vanilla mousse:
- 1 can full fat, pure coconut milk, chilled overnight
- seeds scraped from 1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp extract
- 1 tbsp agave syrup
- 1 tsp coconut flour (optional)
Method:
Make the caramelised nuts:
- Mix together the nuts and sugar in a pan and place over a moderate heat. Stir constantly, allowing the mix to caramelise and turn brown and coat each nut. Add the water a tbsp at a time to help all the nuts coat in the sugar.
- When caramelised ad golden, pour the nuts onto some parchment paper and leave to cool. Once cool, roughly chop the nuts.
Make the brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 180’c/350’f ad line a 7 inch square tin with parchment.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, ground nuts, cocoa, salt, bicarbonate of soda).
- Melt together the chocolate and coconut butter or margarine in the microwave for 30 second intervals until melted, stirring regularly. Once melted mix in the flax mixture, sugar, beetroot puree and vanilla.
- Pour wet mixture over dry mixture and stir well until you have a very dry. thick, dough like batter. Fold in the caramelised nuts and raisins.
- Spread the batter into the tin, pressing it in evenly and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is crisp. You may want to check them after 15 minutes and cover with foil if they are browning too much.
- Leave to cool completely in the tin or they will break.
Make the chocolate mousse:
- Open the can of coconut milk upside down. This way, you should have the watery milk at the top and the solid cream at the bottom. Drain off the watery milk (store in the fridge and use in smoothies or curries) and scoop out the thick cream into a large bowl. Whip with an electric whisk until light and fluffy, then whip in the coconut flour, if using.
- Melt the chocolate at 30 second intervals in the microwave, then add to the coconut cream and whip again until combined. Store in the fridge until needed.
Make the vanilla mousse:
- Separate the solid coconut cream from the watery milk as above.
- Whip with the syrup, vanilla and coconut flour, if using. Set aside in the fridge.
Assembly:
- Take small glasses, jars or bowls to serve the dessert in.
- Remove the brownie from the pan, you will need only about half for the desserts so wrap the remainder and store in the fridge. Cut the brownie into small inch squares.
- Layer the brownies, a scoop of chocolate mousse, a scoop of vanilla mousse and a scattering of nuts then repeat.
- Delicious served with hot black coffee.
Based on using half the brownie for the dessert.
http://caloriecount.about.com/
Go back to Green Thickies…
Go forward to VegConscious …
Bunny Kitchen 
Yummy! The layered mousse looks so delicious!
Thank you!
I keep seeing VVP mentioned but I don’t know anything about it – this recipe looks fab though, it jumps off the screen 😃
Check out this site to learn about the VVP!
http://virtualveganpotluck.com/
😀
I will, thank you 👍
I hope you can join in the next one!
I’d like to 😊 was it good?
It’s great fun! This was the second time I’ve participated. I like to block everything in my diary and just spend the day following the blog chain, pinning recipes and checking out gorgeous food pics, eating and meeting new bloggers! It’s a special day for vegan bloggers! 😀
Sounds like great fun! I bet you’ve got a whole load of recipes to try out now?! Enjoy 🙏
Yes lots! Hope to see you at the next event! 😀
☺️
Woah Poppy! Each of the elements looks incredible- combined this must be heaven! Happy Potluck 😀
Happy VVP to you too lovely! It is to die for! I’m going to make it again soon!
You killed it 🙂 Heaven in a pot ❤
What an awesome comment! Thank you 😀
Looks so amazing! I really have to try this out! 🙂
Thank you! I hope you do!
This looks so rich and decadent. I never knew beets could used so cleverly in desserts until going through all the VVP desserts. I want this for breakfast! Happy VVP to ya!
Happy VVP to you too!
I love that you want this for breakfast!
Oh my goodness, Poppy
That’s my favourite comment of the day! 😉
As always, the food looks amazing. 🙂
How kind of you, thank you so much!
This looks delicious! I love the photos. And thanks for posting the calorie count That’s awesome!
Thank you Amy!!
That does look good. I’m considering versions of this I can try right now
Great! Thank you!
Gorgeous as always! You really brought it to the potluck Poppy! I’ve put you down as the lead blog in my link to the potluck on facebook, since your desserts are so enticing!
How wonderful of you, I am very flattered! Thank you..
I hope all is well with you. Poppy 😀
Oh this looks beautiful! It sounds like a great combination on flavors!
Thank you! Yes I love the combination!
Love this, must try it!!
Thank you!
Honey this looks ABSOLUTELY unreal! Happiness in a jar xxx
Ah you are so lovely! Thank you! Everything is better in a little jar right?! xx
always! all of my family are under strict instructions to send all their used jars my way!
Sounds like you have a great plan there!!
Oh what heaven this looks like! I love the idea of layered desserts in jars. Desserts are yum to begin with, but that jar adds a whole new level of temptation to it.
I agree, jars are just inviting! Thank you so much for your lovely comment!
Yum! This looks delicious. And definitely worth all the steps to make each of the components. I have a friend who is super picky and only likes desserts that have several different textures and temperatures going on in them, so now I’ve started to notice and appreciate desserts like that, too! (I also love the presentation; everything’s cuter in a jar!)
I agree, everything’s cuter in a jar! I love different textures and temperatures too, not just in dessert but everything I eat. I get really bored if everything on my plate is the same! 😀
Wow, fabulous looking dessert! Great addition to the potluck!
Thank you!
I made it! And I’m famished – need something sweet and creamy right now :-)! Beautiful, Poppy!
Ah if only we had a food teleporter, I would make and send you some!
Glad you made it, now go and put your feet up and eat some food!
Thank you:D
I just finished the last dessert (a good one!)! Amazing stuff. I’m going to make some dinner and then call it a day on the Potluck at least :-). You did a bang up job, girl!
Sounds like a good idea! Enjoy it!
Thank you and you did too!
Loving the layers! Looks amazing, Poppy! Awesome contribution to the potluck. 🙂
Thank you Sophia!!
Your ending step, about enjoying with a hot black cup of coffee had me salivating! Coffee and chocolate go together SO well. This looks so decadent.
I agree! And it’s something about hot, steaming black coffee and cold, silky mousse with chocolate that is to die for!
Thank you! 😀
Mmm,,,Poppy, I could eat buckets of that! Gorgeous. Did you see my lassi recently, you may like that xx
Thank you Deena! I didn’t but will come over to check it out now! 😀 x
Well, there is just nothing not to like about this devastatingly delicious end to a meal! (Or meal replacement when I’m feeling really naughty!)
Hahaha, I like the idea of this as meal replacement! Temptations!! 😀
No way beetroots! My mouth is watering, no kidding! I think I’m organizing a dinner party around this dessert…
Thank you Susan!
That sounds like a great idea!! 😀
oh, my goodness! I’m sitting here, two hours away from dinnertime, drooling over my computer screen! This looks amazing!!
Hahahaha! That’s me most days 😉
Wow! this looks incredible! found you through SITS and I’m looking fwd to more of your posts and I am so in for the next VVP!
xo
Jen
Hi Jen!
That’s incredible, I’m so pleased you are up for the next VVP! It’s so much fun!
😀
Looks delicious!
Thank you!
If these are the best brownies ever I NEED to make them! I loooove brownies but I’ve been struggling in the vegan brownie department
If you like a slightly chewy, crispy topped brownie – you will love these!!
Looks so delicious!
Thank you!
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Oh ma gaad! Looks so yum! (the brownies! I’m not that much of a cream fan) You need some side-shots of the layering as well though! I’m heading over to the check this VVP out (wonder if I can participate?) And I will eventually buy that coconut flour, I’ve been egged on by another person already!
-Iz
pizza and brownies who needs anything else and mousse like brownies to boot!!
Couldn’t agree more!
I just awarded you with the sunshine award – I hope you like it – read my post on it! I like your blog a lot! Blessings
Thank you so much! I will come and check it out!
Hi Poppy, I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award because I really love your blog and admire what you do! Participation is voluntary of course 😉 Thanks & hugs, Sylvia
Here is the link for it if you like to accept it:
http://superfoodista.com/2013/11/23/award-weekend-wordpress-family-and-versatile-blogger-award-and-quinoa-spinach-pancakes/
Thank you so very much Sylvia! That has made my day! 😀
Two different kinds of mousse? What’s not to love about this recipe? Yum! Thanks for bringing such a tasty dessert.
Thank you!!
I love the vanilla mousse with the chocolate – makes it extra yummy! 😀
This looks epic! So delicious and fun!
Thank you!
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Hey I love following your blog and just nominated you for a sunshine award! If you’re interested, stop by http://lizziefit.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/walking-on-sunshine/. If not (because I bet you got this 10 times now!), that’s OK, just ignore it 🙂
Oh man, these look delicious! I love layered desserts, you get so many treats in one bowl or jar, each layer just has you going back for more! Thanks for sharing the special brownie recipe too Poppy. I’m starting to like the beet and chocolate combo too (with extra points for the added nutrients!) xx
Hey Laura! I agree, layered desserts are so much more interesting! Glad you are getting to like the beet-chocolate combo! 😀 x
Lots of work, but it looks totally worth it! Thanks for sharing.
It’s actually really easy! Each step is quite simple, there’s no complex techniques – the mousse is just a case fo mixing it together! 😀
Excellent. It wouldn’t have stopped me from making something that looks absolutely to die for anyway.
Oh I’m glad! Thank you for the lovely compliments 😀
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This looks amazing Poppy! I love all the different parts of this layered mousse, what a special treat. Happy VVP!
Thank you so much! The layers keep it interesting! Happy VVP to you too!
Looks yummy, especially those brownie bits! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, that was my favourite bit!
I made your delectbale fantastic amazing rich treat just now & I am loving it, baby! Fantastic & all vegan goodness! xxx
Thank you Sophie! Glad you enjoyed it! 😀 x
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