Dairy-Free Strawberry & Chocolate Mousse Tart (with Avocado!)
We recently celebrated a second birthday in our house – complete with a little pool party, bbq and an ice cream cake (the current favourite treat).
For someone with a milk protein intolerance, an ice cream cake is the ultimate nightmare. That’s the case for my sister. So, to make sure she could enjoy dessert too, I created this little showstopper: a Strawberry and Chocolate Mousse Tart with a date and almond base — completely dairy-free and naturally gluten-free.
The secret ingredient for the mousse is the humble avocado. Surprise. When whizzed in a food processor is gets the most amazing texture, smooth and creamy with body. It also has a neutral nut creamy flavour that works well with rich cocoa. Match the rich chocolate avocado mousse with the date and almond base and you have a dessert decadent and rich. Decorated with fresh strawberries, toasted flaked almonds and some middle eastern safron sugar floss, Dairy free has never looked so good.
I really encourage you to have a go at the avocado mousse. It will surprise you.
The Secret Ingredient? Avocado!
Surprise — the secret to this luscious, creamy chocolate mousse is the humble avocado.
When whizzed in a food processor, avocado transforms into the most amazing texture: silky, smooth, and rich with a creamy texture. Its mild, nutty flavour pairs beautifully with dark cocoa, creating a mousse that feels decadent without any dairy.
Combine that with a sticky date and almond base, and you’ve got a dessert that’s wholesome, elegant, and indulgent — no one will guess it’s dairy-free!
Decorate with some fresh strawberries, Toasted flaked almonds, some middle eastern Saffron sugar floss – Dairy Free has never looked so good!
Why You’ll Love This Dairy-Free Mousse Tart
-
100% dairy-free (and can easily be made vegan)
-
Naturally gluten-free with a wholesome nut and date crust
-
Rich and creamy without cream or butter
-
No refined ingredients – only simple, real food
-
Perfect for special occasions or when you want something that feels fancy but easy
Ingredients
Serves: 4
For the Base:
-
5 fresh Medjool dates
-
25 g whole almonds
-
1 tsp coconut oil
For the Mousse:
-
1 ripe avocado
-
3 tbsp raw cocoa powder (or regular unsweetened cocoa)
-
3 tsp caster sugar
-
3 tsp coconut oil (or olive oil)
To Decorate:
-
1 punnet ripe strawberries, hulled
-
20 g toasted flaked almonds
-
Saffron sugar floss (optional, for garnish)
-
Icing sugar, to dust
Instructions
-
Prepare the base:
Line a small tart tin with plastic wrap.
In a food processor, blitz the almonds into a fine crumble. Add dates and coconut oil, and process until the mixture sticks together. Press evenly into the tart tin and refrigerate until firm. -
Make the mousse:
Clean the processor bowl. Add the avocado and blend until smooth. Add sugar, then cocoa powder, blending until thick and glossy. Adjust sweetness or cocoa to taste. -
Assemble:
Spoon the mousse into the chilled tart base, smoothing the top with a spatula. -
Decorate:
Arrange strawberries and toasted almonds on top. Add a little saffron sugar floss if using, and dust with icing sugar. -
Chill and serve:
Refrigerate until ready to serve. The tart will keep for 2–3 days, covered, in the fridge.
Ingredient Notes & Swaps
-
Raw cocoa powder gives a rich, dark flavour — available at health food stores or online. Regular unsweetened cocoa works perfectly too.
-
Coconut oil adds a subtle tropical flavour, but olive oil is a fine alternative.
-
Saffron fairy floss adds a Middle Eastern flair and can be found at specialty delis or online.
Tips for Success
-
Make sure your avocado is ripe for the creamiest texture.
-
Chill your tart before serving — the mousse firms beautifully in the fridge.
-
For a vegan version, swap caster sugar for maple syrup or agave.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dairy-free tart as a light, elegant finish to:
-
A BBQ or summer dinner
-
A birthday party or special celebration
-
A romantic dessert that feels indulgent but guilt-free
Strawberry and Chocolate Mousse Tart. (Dairy Free)
Ingredients
Base
- 5 Fresh Medjool Dates
- 25 g Whole Almond
- 1 tsp Coconut oil
Mousse
- 1 Ripe Avocado
- 3 tbsp Raw Cocoa Powder
- 3 tsp Caster sugar
- 3 tsp Coconut Oil
- 1 punnet Ripe strawberries
- 20 g Toasted Flaked Almonds
- Saffron Fairy floss
Instructions
- Line a small tart tin with plastic wrap.
- For base place the almonds in the bowl of food processor and whiz until a fine crumble. Add the dates and the coconut oil and process until combined. The mix should come together in a sticky ball. press the mixture into tart tin until there is an even coating. Place into the fridge to firm up.
- Clean out the food processor bowl. Add the avocado and whiz until smooth and creamy looking. Add sugar and whiz until combined and glossy. Finally add the cocoa powder, whiz until combined, taste and adjusting sugar /cocoa.
- Hull the strawberries.
- Into the chilled tart base add the mousse, smoothing the top.
- Decorate with the strawberries, toasted almonds and Sugar floss. Dust with Icing sugar. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- I used raw cocoa powder but regular unsweetened cocoa powder will work just fine.
- Raw cocoa powder is available from specialty food shops, Health food shops and online.
- Feel free to use olive oil instead of coconut oil. I used coconut oil as it has a more dessert flavour to it. You can get coconut oil online, from most major supermarkets and health food shops.
- Middle eastern fairy floss is a great product, you can get it from middle eastern deli’s or online.
More Healthy Desserts You’ll Love!
Sweet Potato Brownie
Raw Carrot Cake Bliss Balls
Pin to save the recipe for later
Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to see your version of this Dairy-Free Strawberry & Chocolate Mousse Tart!
Tag @thekrookedspoon on Instagram and use #thekrookedspoon so I can share your creation.
