This 5-ingredient Chocolate Tofu Pudding is kid-friendly, simple to blend together, and makes a great protein-rich dessert or snack.
A lot of people struggled to find kid-friendly ways to prep tofu.
I totally get it: Tofu is squishy. It’s bland on its own. And it comes out of the container as a unappealing gelatinous blob.
But it’s also a stellar plant-based source of protein. So introducing it to your kids in different ways is well worth it.
As I was researching recipe ideas, I stumbled on this Mexican Chocolate Tofu Pudding from Mark Bittman. One of my boys isn’t wild about spice, and I found the level of cinnamon overpowering, so I tinkered with the recipe a bit and found something my teen is actually excited about when he spots it in the fridge.
How to Make Chocolate Tofu Pudding
First, be sure you’re using silken tofu. Tofu is sold in a few different varieties, including extra firm, firm, and silken. Silken tofu is the smoothest and works the best for sauces, smoothies, and desserts like this.
Melt the chocolate. I break up the pieces into a glass bowl and microwave on HIGH, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each interval until fully melted. Set aside.
Combine the silken tofu, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in a food processor or blender (I’ve tried both and they work equally well) and process until smooth.
While the food processor or blender is running, add melted chocolate mixture slowly and process until fully combined, stopping partway through to scrape sides with a spatula.
Portion pudding into six ramekins or small bowls. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. If you want to add a dollop of whipped cream, scroll down to the FAQs in this post for an easy homemade version.
FAQs About Chocolate Tofu Pudding
What kind of tofu should I use for this pudding?
Silken tofu. Tofu is sold in a few different varieties, including extra firm, firm, and silken. Silken tofu is the smoothest and works the best for sauces, smoothies, and desserts like this.
Is soy safe for kids?
Yes! There are some rumors that compounds in soy called isoflavones act like estrogen in the body, influencing puberty or raising cancer risk. But research doesn’t show that to be true. As a registered dietitian and mom, I feel comfortable serving my kids soy foods like tofu, edamame, and tempeh.
Is soy healthy for kids?
Yes! Soy has a lot of health benefits for kids including:
- Provides high-quality protein: Soy has all the essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that the body needs to get from food, just like meat does. But unlike meat, soy is free from cholesterol and low in saturated fat.
- Delivers iron: Iron is a mineral that’s vital during growth. Tofu offers about a third of the daily needs or iron for kids ages 4-8 (soy milk and edamame also contain iron).
- May lower cholesterol levels: Soy foods may help reduce total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Do I have to tell my kids there’s tofu in this pudding?
Yes, I highly recommend it. Sneaking ingredients into dishes accomplishes a short-term goal (they eat the food and get the nutrient) but doesn’t do anything to actually help your child feel more comfortable with that ingredient. Tell your kids what’s in the pudding–or better yet, have them make it with you and talk about how cool it is that tofu can transform like this!
How long does chocolate tofu pudding last in the refrigerator?
For best results, eat this pudding within 3-5 days.
How do I make homemade whipped cream for chocolate tofu pudding?
This pudding is sweet and rich enough on its own, but if you want to add a dollop of whipped cream like I show here, here’s how to make it:
- Chill a glass bowl, beaters, and whipping cream in the refrigerator until very cold.
- Place 1/2 cup whipping cream and 2 teaspoons sugar in the glass bowl and beat on medium speed until stiff peaks form (when you lift your beaters out of the cream, the cream should be shaped in peaks that hold their shape, not drip off).
- Serve immediately or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
More Yummy Dessert Recipes
- Healthy Crepes Recipe Your Kids Will Love
- Chocolate Beet Cupcakes
- How to Make Healthy Homemade Fruit Leather (No Dehydrator Needed!)
Recipe Card for Chocolate Tofu Pudding
Easy Chocolate Tofu Pudding
Want a healthy dessert your kids will absolutely rave over? This easy 5-ingredient chocolate tofu pudding is the one! It's simple, healthy, and super tasty.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces good-quality semi-sweet chocolate
- 1 1-pound package silken tofu, drained
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Break up chocolate (if in large pieces) and melt. If using a microwave, heat on HIGH in 30-second intervals, stirring in between intervals, until fully melted. Set aside.
- Process tofu, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in a food processor or blender until smooth. While food processor or blender is running, add melted chocolate slowly and process until fully combined, stopping partway through to scrape sides with a spatula.
- Portion pudding into six ramekins or small bowls. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Recipe updated to recommend only semi-sweet chocolate. After more testing, I've found that milk chocolate results in an overly-sweet pudding. If you want to use milk chocolate, reduce maple syrup by 1-2 tablespoons.
I've made this with very dark chocolate and my teen and I both found it too bitter. If you go with dark chocolate, I would recommend adding an additional tablespoon or two of maple syrup to lend more sweetness.
Be sure to add the melted chocolate slowly. Adding it all at once can cause the pudding to have a grainy texture.
Use pure maple syrup (the only ingredient should be maple syrup).
Use pure vanilla extract (not imitation) when possible.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1/6 of recipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 308Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 14mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 40gProtein: 7g
This looks like something both my kids and my always-hungry runner husband will love! Can you recommend a different sweetener?
Hi Karen–I haven’t tested the recipe with other sweeteners but in a quick Google search of similar recipes, I found recipes that used powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and other syrups (perhaps agave syrup or honey might work). Again, haven’t tested it with those so can’t say for sure but those are some ideas.