Dessert can be a lot healthier if you make it out of vegetables. Try a healthy serving of low-carb cauliflower chocolate pudding. It's very tasty!
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This year, I've been trying to make my desserts a lot healthier. How would you feel about a dessert that contains a full serving of vegetable in it? Yup. I thought I'd try making a low carb cauliflower chocolate pudding. And, guess what? It tastes pretty darn good!
I'm sure I'm going to get some grossed out faces when I post this recipe. But, seriously, you need to give it a try. At first I made it with all stevia liquid sweetener. However, it tastes much better made with Swerve and a few drops of stevia mixed in to get the sweetness just right.
I admit that cauliflower has a stinky smell when it's cooked. My husband always complains when I cook cauliflower or broccoli. It's only something that's released during cooking.
The taste of cooked cauliflower is pretty bland. That's why it works so well in so many types of recipes! I saw a recipe for low carb cauliflower brownies and thought why not make a low carb cauliflower chocolate pudding?
It looks like the cauliflower shortage has ended as I'm able to find it in the stores now for a reasonable price. It has become so popular that stock is usually low. Even the amount of frozen cauliflower seems to be getting low in the grocery stores.
It's super simple to whip up this low carb cauliflower chocolate pudding. You'll just need to steam, boil, or microwave the cauliflower until soft. Then, using a high speed blender or food processor, puree it until it's nice and smooth.
Then, you'll add in some cocoa powder, gelatin, heavy cream, and sweetener to taste. I like blending two types of sweetener because I find it gives the best taste.
Low Carb Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding
To show you just how easy it is to make, I put together a video showing how I made my low carb cauliflower chocolate pudding. Who ever thought cauliflower would make such a yummy dessert?
For even easier treats, be sure to check out my chia seed pudding recipe and my avocado pudding!
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Recipe
Cauliflower Chocolate Pudding
Video
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons grass-fed gelatin I prefer grass-fed
- 1 ½ tablespoons low carb sugar substitute
- 20 drops SweetLeaf stevia drops optional
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Cook cauliflower until soft.
- In high speed blender or food processor, puree cauliflower.
- Puree in gelatin, cocoa, and sweetener(s) while cauliflower is still warm.
- Add in heavy cream and puree until silky smooth.
- Pour into serving cups and refrigerate at least 3 hours
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Flor Calderon
What can I use to substitute for the gelatin? It's the only ingredient I don't have.
Lisa MarcAurele
You need an ingredient that will thicken it. Chia seeds or similar should work. Or try a thickener like xanthan gum.
Alana
Hello,
I would like to try this recipe, but make it as vanilla pudding. Do you that would work or would the cauliflower taste be too noticeable?
Thank you.
Lisa MarcAurele
The chocolate is strong enough to hide the cauliflower taste. Not sure if vanilla will do the same.
JAN BRAVEMAN
I just made this, tweaked a bit, but they came out delicious!! Used homemade almond yogurt instead of heavy cream, didn't have liquid stevia, so used granular stevia instead, also used cacao power..came out really good..set up faster than 3 hours. I then whipped up aqua faba as my whipped cream....I now make eggplant brownies, faux apple cobbler w zucchini and now cauli mousse!! All delicious, healthy, low carb..REALLY AWESOME!! 🙂 Thanks, Lisa!
Lisa
Thanks so much for sharing! Love that you made it dairy-free.
Jason
I've been craving pudding lately. This looks like the perfect solution!
Lisa
Hope you give it a try and it satisfies the craving.
Beka
I read the comments about fresh compared to frozen. It’s edible but all I can taste is the cauliflower and avocado. I used coconut cream too & just truvia so I’m not gonna review the recipe since I apparently can’t follow directions. But wonder why frozen is so much better than fresh?
Lisa
Not sure, but it's been said that frozen is usually better nutrition wise as it's frozen right away and retains more of the flavor and nutrients.
Betsy
How many cups of cauliflower should we use as heads vary.
Lisa MarcAurele
I'd say 3.5 to 4 cups.
Melissa
Heavy cream is the same as Whipping Cream?
I'm from another country and I'm not sure what kind of cream I should use 🙁
Lisa
They are slightly different in fat content, but can be used interchangeably.
Franky
Hello,
Would it be possible to use half cauliflower and half avocado to up the healthy fat?
Also if I use coconut cream instead of normal cream, would it have a strong coconut taste? (Sorry if this seems obvious, I haven't tried it before)
Looks delicious, can't wait to try!
Lisa
Avocado should work out and the chocolate should help mask some of the coconut flavor, but not all.
Dee
I made it today. Taste tested when warm and it seemed ok. I used coconut milk because I’m dairy intolerant. Had it tonight after chilling it for a few hours... and all I could taste was the cauliflower. Yuck. Sorry had to doctor it up with Lily chips and more coconut cream. I used a head of cauliflower and wondering if “in season” makes a difference. I might try it again with frozen cauli next time
Lisa
The amount of cauliflower and the freshness does make a difference. I should probably add in the weight amount.
Catherine
I think Chia seeds instead of gelatin would work nicely.
Lisa
They should certainly work, but would give a little crunch.
Rachel
Admittedly, I was definitely skeptical about this recipe despite the fact that I have tried (and enjoyed )cauliflower as a sweet treat before. That recipe was a keto/low carb cinnamon/vanilla cauliflower rice pudding, and it was delicious, but it had enough strong ingredients in it that even the flavor of over-cooked Brussels sprouts would dhave been masked *grins*.
This recipe was delicious, fantastic and very easy...not too sweet but sweet enough for me personally. I used a head of cauliflower (just big enough to fit into my hands cupped around it), and I found the ingredient proportions just right. Having tasted this recipe would heavy whipping cream, I would advise against substituting anything else personally. The combined flavor of the cream with the other ingredients gives this recipe a flavor very reminiscent of a clean-tasting milk-based chocolate pudding. Adding something like coconut cream will keep the richness of the heavy cream, but it will also throw the sweetness and flavor ratios off since coconut products have a distinctive sweetness and an almost floral note to them. If you must substitute, however, you must and I understand that.
When I was first reading through this recipe and then making it, I was thinking "Hm...this seems like it needs something else...a dash of salt to brighten the sweetness...vanilla extra to enhance the chocolate flavor..." After tasking it out of the refrigerator...no...perfect as far as I am concerned.
Thank you for providing such a great, easy, vegetable-containing dessert recipe! I look forward to trying your avocado pudding recipe soon.
Lisa
Thanks so much Rachel for taking the time to share your thoughts on the recipe.
Renuka
Would agar agar powder work?
Lisa
It should. It's very similar to gelatin, but the amount may be a little different.
AudreyJoy
It would be nice with a few fresh blueberries folded in?
Or some grated orange zest?
Lisa
Orange zest sounds great. Not sure about blueberries, but it's worth a try.
B
Net carbs should be 3.3, not 3.1; subtracting sugars are not included, just total carbs and fiber; sounds like a great recipe, will try tomorrow. Thanks.
Lisa
Fixed. Thanks!
Mary
Hi there, is there anything to substitute for heavy cream if trying to be healthier? Many thanks 🙂
Lisa
I like using coconut cream.
Heidi Lynn Welchlin
Although I'm turning 50 next week I've never tried cauliflower in my life! I've been scared, but since I had a pkg of TJ's riced cauliflower I bit the bullet and made it this morning, let it sit until dinner. It did stink up the house for a while but all I can say is WOW! It is so creamy and smooth and airy, more like a mousse. I WILL be making this again and again for a keto "treat". Thank you!
Lisa
My husband complains about the smell every time I cook cauliflower. Not sure how to get rid of that other than to cover with diffusing essential oils.
zoe
Made it today using a small quantity of frozen cauli and a hand blender. I was truly awsome. like a thick puding. Husband said was good...didn't tell him it's cauli ha ha...I am amazed at how well it turned out . definitelly a keeper for me. Thank you Lisa. For everyone who is sceptic about this desert (like I was) at least try it out of curiosity (like I did) 🙂 you might have a low carb low calorie nice surprise. keep them coming. I'm tempted to try it with some sugar free jello cristals..fruity flavor.....curious what goodness might turn out...
Had to come back and comment...I was THAT surprised 🙂
Lisa
Thanks so much Zoe!
Erika
I'm just wondering if this would work with almond milk? I can't use cream, and don't like the taste of coconut cream
Lisa
It should work. You may want to use a little less as almond milk is thinner.
Becca
Could you add protein in lieu of the gelatin?
Lisa
The cauliflower is a pretty good thickener so it should work.
Edith Kilgo
"My initial response was 'no way', but then I thought: 'We make chocolate pudding out of tofu or avocado, so why not?" I intend to try it, but I need to wait until a day I'm in the house by myself. Husband is a good sport, but this might be more than he can wrap his head around.
Lisa
My husband had trouble with it too. He makes me open all the windows if I want to cook cauliflower as well.
jennifer
my husband makes me open the windows because I love cauliflower but it makes me, um, "windy" and it's ghastly! I can only eat it when no one else is home or they all pay! Bwahahahahaha
Lisa
LOL. My husband hates when I cook cauliflower or broccoli due to the odor.
Amelia
Would it be okay to substitute heavy cream with coconut cream? if so, with what proportions?
Thank you <3
Lisa
I would think so. Coconut cream is pretty thick so you might be able to omit the gelatin.
Angela
I wonder how this would taste run through an ice cream maker? Before it gets too hard? Would it be like ice cream?
Lisa
I'm not sure. It would be an interesting experiment. I don't see why not. You probably wouldn't need any gelatin if freezing.
Auriol Hutchins
Absolutely love this - today I added cream cheese and sugar-free chocolate chips - thinking it might make a good cheesecake - have you experimented with that?
Lisa
I'm going to give the cheesecake a try. Thanks for the idea!
Cynthia M.
I have made something similar with tofu, but cauliflower is great.
Question: Does the gelatin work because the cauliflower is hot?
Usually you have to dissolve gelatin in some way.
Am going to give this a try.... May reheat some mashed cauliflower I didn't finish and see if I can make it work. Living alone, I never get through a whole recipe of something.... so this could be good, using half the cauliflower sweet, and half savory.
Lisa
The hot mashed cauliflower is what dissolves the gelatin. You could likely omit the gelatin. It really just used as a thickener.
DianeTampa
This is a good question. I would think the gelatin needs to bloom, so how about sprinkling it on the HWC and allowing it to stand till dissolved before stiffing up and mixing it in?
monika
Prior to steaming, how many grams of cauliflower is it?
Thanks!
Fabulous idea, by the way!
Lisa
I used a small head of cauliflower. I need to get the exact weight and add it to the recipe.
Sha
Hi Lisa,
Apologize for asking a question that was already asked and answered..but I can't wrap up my head around on how big (or small lol) is a small head of cauliflower. I see all sorts of sizes of cauliflower heads sold at the supermarkets and it would help if I can visualize the size you used in the recipe proportional to other ingredient.
Is a small head as big as half a soccer ball or something? Or an estimate of the weight (1/2 lbs etc?)
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe...something I really am looking forward to be making soon.
Lisa
I do agree that I need to provide a measurement. Mine was on the medium to small side so I'm guessing about 1.5-2 pounds.
Shayna
Can you make this using frozen cauliflower instead of fresh?
Lisa
Of course! You just need to cook it first.
Ros
Congrats on the video! Being a novice myself I love 'how-to' videos just to track my technique with the pros like yourself... at least before I start experimenting. I have some sweetener questions: 1. is Stevia pure powder like the drops? I got it in bulk and now I'm not sure what to do with it, but want to use it whenever possible so need to know when would that be where you think it fits perfectly? 2. I bought Stevia peppermint. Now I want to put that in everything. Would it go here? Do you use it and if so where do you use it.
BTW I ordered several things from Sukrin this week because I wanted to try out the bread and brown sugar (back ordered currently) and put in LOWCARBYUM and did indeed get 5% off my order. With the free shipping it was a lot more economical.
Julie
Can you make this without gelatin? Is there something else?? Cauliflower is a natural thickener. Just wondering..
Lisa
I think it would likely be okay, just not as thick. Konjac glucomannan is another low carb thickener that you could use if it's too thin.
Susan
What are the ingredients in the gelatin ?
Lisa
I use grass fed gelatin. It's just gelatin from grass fed cows. You can read more about it here. It's not essential to this recipe so you can leave it out if you'd like.
jay Lyon
do you mean leave out any gelatin or just leave out grass-fed? is any gelatin at all needed? what about using agar-agar.
thanks,
jay
Lisa
I use the gelatin to set it. You could try it without or sub with agar agar.
Cindy
6.8g carbs per serving? Sorry, I don't consider this low carb.
Lisa
Half of those carbs are fiber and most people don't have insulin spikes with less than 10g total carbs.
nicole
Technically it's 3.3 net carbs. Definitely low carb...
Joe
Well then you won't be making it will you!
Serena (Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch)
What a great idea!
Lisa
Thanks! I thought is was really a nice way to eat veggies!
Christie
I'm going to try this recipe ASAP. Great new way to use cauliflower!
Robin
Just made the pudding. Had no stevia, so adjusted to taste. Very good. Can't wait for it to firm up some.
Lisa
If I allowed myself, I could have eaten it all out of the food processor still warm. Enjoy!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
This is fantastic!!
Lisa
Yea! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Liz
Wow, I need to watch my carbs so this is one fabulous way to get my chocolate fix!
Lisa
Yes it is Liz! Almost a guiltless treat!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed.com
I love using cauliflower in so many things! I add them to smoothies to make them thicker 🙂
Lisa
Haven't tried them in smoothies, but I will soon. Thanks!
Mike Hess
Just made and out of the processor tastes great. Not sure what the right equivalent was but I used Truvia in place of the Swerve?? Now three hours before the final tasting. Serving to unsuspecting guests so will be interesting.
Lisa
I love that you'll be serving to unsuspecting guests! I do that all the time. Sweetener amount is really to taste. I just added enough to my preference.
Robin
I was able to get cauliflower at 47 cents a head at my local discount store. Can't wait to try this. I was running out if ideas.
Lisa
You are so lucky. What a deal!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
this is seriously brilliant!!! I've got to try this!
Lisa
Thanks Alice! The taste really surprised me.
Dee
Hi, this is intriguing me and I can't wait to try it. I haven't used gelatine before, do you add water to 1.5tsp of gelatine powder before mixing it in? Or do you just add 1.5tsp of gelatine powder straight to the mix?
Lisa
No need to dissolve the gelatin in water first as it's being added to the hot cauliflower which had just been cooked. It dissolves in the puréed cauliflower because it is somewhat watery at that point.
Diana
I have a beautiful fresh head of cauliflower and would love to make this. Can you tell me the sugar equivalent of the stevia in the recipe? I have a terrible aversion to stevia, so I'll substitute other sweeteners for that.
Lisa
20 drops of SweetLeaf stevia is equivalent to about 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons sugar.
Alex
I will definitely give this a try 😀 not sure if it would be to my taste, but it's really simple to do and we are in search of alternatives to the low carb cheesecake I usually make.
Lisa
I was a little skeptical at first, but I'm glad I gave it a try. I hope you feel the same way. I found it very filling as well. It's a great way to sneak in a bit more vegetables too.