Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)

June 20, 2014

Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)


I have days when I’m hard on myself.
You know those days, when you feel that every decision you've been making is kinda bad.
I didn’t work out enough or I forgot the one item at the grocery store that I needed to buy or I ate way too much.
I usually start blaming myself...but then I remember that I'm so good all the time.
I eat healthy, I train like a mad dog, I don't drink, I don't smoke, I seldom stay out late. And I've been like this for almost my whole adult life.
I definitely need to give myself credit for what I do. And when I have one of those bad days, I should be more like "Whatever man, let it go!"
Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)


One of my yoga teacher always says: "Please try every day to have 15 minutes of compassionate thoughts by yourself."
I have narrowed it down to one minute (and not every day) because 15 drives me literally mental.
She's 100% right though, it is very helpful.
Self-compassion makes good, healthy sense.
Go easy on yourself, many researches suggest, and you'll be happier and healthier too.
Especially in our high-speed society, that focuses more on the "doing" than the "being", self-compassion should be more practiced.
I don't mean to sound like a tree-hugger or something.
What I'm saying is to take a deep breath, smile, ease from anger to compassion and be grateful for what you are getting in your life.

Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)


I have bad days, and then I have days when I make a recipe like this, and I’m like SCORE!
And all of a sudden, the sun is shining, birds are singing, insects are buzzing, flowers are blooming and I feel like a superhero.
Don’t believe a bowl of paleo & vegan caramel chocolate mousse can do it?
Make it and you will see.
The mousse is thick, fudgy, creamy and luscious. If you had a bad day, it will make you happy, guaranteed. And since happiness is a key to longevity, fire up that stove, you got some cooking to do.
And while you’re cooking, think about how awesome you are and be ever grateful for that.

Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)
Caramel Chocolate Mousse (Paleo & Vegan)                                                     Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 8

½ cup / 5 oz / 140 gr caramel sauce (make your own paleo and vegan caramel sauce with this recipe)
1 cup coconut cream (scraped from the top of 2 cans of BPA-free full fat coconut milk chilled overnight)
4 oz / 113 gr +70% dark chocolate, chopped (I used Dagoba)
Pinch of fine grain sea salt

Directions

Open the cans of chilled coconut milk and scoop the thick coconut cream on top (trying to keep as much liquid out the cream as possible) into a large bowl of a heavy-duty mixer or with an electric hand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
Add a pinch of salt and beat coconut cream, starting on low, increasing incrementally to medium speed unto soft peaks become visible, about 5 minutes.
Pop the bowl in the fridge to keep chilled.
Place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, making sure that the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the boiling water.
Stir with a wooden spoon until the chocolate is completely melted. Use pot holders to remove the bowl from over the boiling water.
Using a whisk, stir in the caramel sauce and work up some elbow grease. You want to create a glossy and smooth emulsion.
Scoop about ⅓ cup of the coconut whipped cream into the bowl and gently fold in using a spatula. This will help lighten the dense chocolate caramel sauce.
Gently fold in the remaining coconut whipped cream.
Divide between ramekins (glasses or cups) and refrigerate for a couple of hours (or overnight) to allow to set up.
Serve sprinkled with shaved chocolate or chopped cocoa nibs.

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 235 calories, 24 grams of fat, 17 grams of carbs and 2.9 grams of protein.

38 comments:

  1. This looks like just the thing to kick off the weekend! It's funny how we can be so hard on ourselves sometimes - good thing there's chocolate to bring back the sunshine and rainbows. :)

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  2. Great post, Mike. You are so right about that. I'm not always great at slowing down and not being tough on myself, but taking a breath and being appreciative of all the great things in my life, especially my family, helps me in an instant. Have a great weekend!

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  3. Looks amazing Mike, totally making this!

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  4. Looks insanely delicious and sinful!! YUM!

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  5. Mike! You must be proud of the great blog you are making and the amazing pictures you take plus the recipes are awesome!!!! Big hugs from your fans in Germany!!!

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    1. Thanks John, you truly made my day with your comment!
      Where are you in Germany? I have a cousin who lives in Berlin.

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  6. Oh my gosh Mike! This just looks amazing! Can't wait to make it, although I can't wait to make anything you show off! Not only are your pics always amazing.. but your recipes actually deliver on flavor .. I speak from experience!

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

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  7. Oh my goooooodness Michael, this looks delicious! I think I get down on myself when I start playing the comparison game...he/she's better at such and such, blah, blah, blah. You're a great food blogger, so you can always chant that in your mantra moments. :-D

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    1. I will definitely take your advice and chant "I'm a great food blogger" in my next mantra. Thanks! ;)

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  8. I'm with your yogi - self-compassion is so important! But you're right, sometimes it's hard to remember to do. So thanks for reminding me today - and thank you for this gorgeous recipe! :)

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    1. Self-compassion is important, but imo not too much...

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  9. "...let it go" "let it go" My daughter sang that song (from Frozen) for the longest time! Now when an 18-wheeler acts like I am invisible on the freeway - that song plays in my head...and now, it's in my head again - thanks Mike :)
    Speaking of my daughter, she saw this mousse and is trying to talk me into going to the store to pick up coconut milk at almost 11...and am considering doing it as this looks seriously amazing!
    I've had coconut cream and cinnamon and that was delish, but with chocolate...oh boy!

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    1. You have to make this mousse for your daughter, it's too good to pass up!

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  10. Hey Mister - Proposition for you!!! My birthday is June 26th... I dare you to make a GiGi-Approved RECIPE and post it on my Birthday ;) You up for it! AH HA AH!

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  11. I agree with your yoga master. Self compassion is important. But then it's easier said than done. -_- Love the look of of the mouse.

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    1. I'm totally with you Neelu, it's definitely easier said than done!

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  12. I like the look of that Mike. Another great recipe, thanks for sharing!

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  13. Taking a moment for myself is something I try to do every day.. it's hard though! I love making simple chocolate mousse using coconut cream, cacao, and a splash of maple syrup, but I can only imagine how good it would be with melted chocolate! Will be trying this soon!

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  14. I think I just fell in love with the pictures in this post....
    Arianne

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  15. I tried coconut whipped cream for the first time ever today and absolutely fell in love with the stuff. It must be out of this world brilliant when mixed with caramel and chocolate! What a wonderful dessert - I'm so drooling right now! Enjoy your Sunday! xx

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    1. Whipped coconut cream is one of the best things ever, imo. I'm so happy you've joined the "dark" side as well Co!

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  16. Hi Mike, love this recipe, just a few ingredients and a true winner.

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  17. Hahaha Mike this made me laugh out loud, "I don't mean to sound like a tree-hugger or something." This looks like a great healthy-yet-decadent dessert option!

    And dude, are you proud of me? I watched the game yesterday. I could not believe that last second goal from Portugal!!!

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    1. I'm so very proud of you Chris, words cannot express. Seriously!

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  18. Mike! This dessert looks top-notch. No need to be down on yourself when you've got this kind of awesomeness coming out of your kitchen! Although I was a bit bummed with that late goal last night. Ronaldo decided to (sort-of) show up at the last second...literally. Bring on Germany and the Klinsmann drama! (btw, I love me some Klinsmann...he's changing US Soccer!)

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    1. Man, I still haven't recovered from that last goal...
      Bring on the Germans btw, we'll teach them a lesson they'll remember forever! ;)

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  19. Hi Mike, nice posting. Wow... this dessert is extremely good. I would love to have 2 please. :))
    Thanks for sharing the delightful recipe and 2 thumbs up for your very impressive photography skill.

    Have a great week ahead,regards.

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  20. This post made my day!! Havent been self compassionate for a while and this opened my eyes (always difficult in a busy life)!! Thanks!

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