chocolate peanut butter mousse (vegan + gluten free)

i have an obsession with peanut butter.  it's a down right addiction to be completely honest.  i absolutely love it and i find a way to incorporate peanut butter into just about everything.  peanut butter is so versatile, you can use it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and beverages!

without a doubt, chocolate and peanut butter are an amazing combination.  the two were made for each other.  over the weekend i had a craving for chocolate mousse and something with peanut butter, so i decided to make some chocolate peanut butter mousse for dessert.  instead of making a traditional mousse, i skipped the dairy and the eggs to make a vegan version.  the result was an incredible dessert that was just as light, fluffy, and flavorful as it's non-vegan counterpart.

this delicious mousse could be served as a stand-alone dessert, or it could be used as a dip or even as a frosting.  clever treat!  needless to say, i'm hooked.  who says vegan food isn't fun?  ;-)

chocolate peanut butter mousse
prep time: 5 minutes
chill time: 1 hour
yields: 4 servings

ingredients:
1 can (14 oz.) coconut cream, chilled
3 tablespoons all-natural smooth peanut butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon all-natural unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons agave nectar

directions:
in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whisk the coconut cream until light and fluffy (about 1 minute).  all the peanut butter and whisk together until incorporated (about 1 minute).  whisk in the cocoa powder and agave nectar until incorporated.  add additional peanut butter, cocoa powder, and/or sweetener to reach desired taste.  to enjoy as a mousse, divide the mixture among 4 small cups and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up before serving.  to use as a frosting, use immediately.

recipe notes:
be sure to use coconut cream instead of coconut milk.  there is a difference.  coconut cream is creamier and thicker than coconut milk and it has a different fat make-up.  my favorite brand of coconut cream is trader joe's.  also, my favorite all-natural peanut butter is smucker's because the only ingredients are peanuts.  i love both the creamy and the chunky.

enjoy!

love, laurie