No Bake Vegan Chocolate Pudding Tart (Gluten Free)

If you’re looking for a healthy(ish) dessert that tastes indulgent, is easy to make, and will appeal to all eaters at the table, then this vegan chocolate tart is for you! It’s a no bake chocolate tart that anybody can master, and I’ll show you all the steps below (don't miss the step-by-step VIDEO!).

Vegan chocolate tart

The tart is made with my easy Dark Chocolate Pudding recipe, using coconut milk as the base. The coconut milk not only makes this chocolate tart dairy free, but it also gives it an incredibly luscious, creamy texture. 

No bake chocolate tart

Best of all, it doesn’t even need to go in the oven! Instead, this no bake chocolate tart chills overnight (to allow the pudding to set), making it a perfect make-ahead dessert. 

Healthy chocolate tart

The tart is gluten free, dairy free and is naturally sweetened, but you’d never know it. It’s a healthier dessert that everybody at the table will love.

Easy date nut crust

The no bake crust is made with Medjool dates and pecans. The dates provide sweetness as well as the “stickiness” that holds the crust together. Cacao powder and cinnamon lend depth of flavor. 

How to make a vegan chocolate tart:

• 1. Make the date and pecan crust: In a food processor, combine pitted Medjool dates, pecans, cacao powder, cinnamon, coconut oil and salt. Process until the mixture is very finely chopped and sticky. 

• 2. Press the crust into the pan (or glasses!): Scrape the crust into a tart pan and press it evenly along the bottom and up the sides. You can use a 14-inch rectangular tart pan, a 9-inch round tart pan, or you can ditch the pan altogether and make individual pudding trifles in glasses or ramekins (press the crust evenly along the bottom). 

• 3. Make the chocolate pudding: Make the chocolate pudding filling using full-fat coconut milk (don’t use light coconut milk or regular milk, otherwise the filling won’t set). 

• 4. Pour the pudding into the crust: Pour the pudding into the crust and spread it in an even layer. Refrigerate the tart overnight. 

• 5. Make the coconut maple whipped cream: Beat together the chilled solids from a can of coconut milk with maple syrup and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. 

• 6. Spread the whipped cream over the tart and chill: Spread the coconut whipped cream over the tart, and sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Chill the finished tart for at least 30 minutes before serving. 

FAQ

Tips for making this tart:

• You will need to make a batch of Dark Chocolate Pudding for this recipe. It’s important that you use full-fat coconut milk in the pudding (not light coconut milk or regular milk) otherwise it won’t set up firmly enough to slice. (You will need 1 full can plus ¼ cup of coconut milk). Also, use the full 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar for the best flavor.
• For the coconut whipped cream, you’ll need to refrigerate a can of coconut milk overnight. Once you open the can, use just the coconut solids at the top (save the liquid at the bottom for smoothies or curries!). Not all brands of coconut milk make good whipped cream. You'll want to buy a brand that is not emulsified (give the can a gentle shake when buying—you shouldn’t hear any sloshing around). Some brands I recommend include: Thai Kitchen, A Taste of Thai, Native Forest Classic and 365 Whole Foods Coconut Milk.
• You can use a 14-inch rectangular tart pan or a 9-inch round tart pan for this vegan chocolate tart, or you can ditch the pan altogether! If you prefer, you can make individual trifles instead. Divide the crust between glasses or ramekins, then press it firmly along the bottom and about ½-inch up the sides. Spoon the pudding on top. Chill overnight, then top with the coconut whipped cream as directed (since you won’t be slicing the tart, you can serve it immediately after adding the whipped cream, or you can cover and chill the glasses for up to 4 hours). 
• If you prefer, you can top the tart with regular whipped cream instead of coconut whipped cream. 
• To make chocolate shavings, run a vegetable peeler firmly along the side of bar of chocolate, letting the shavings fall onto a piece of wax or parchment paper.

More vegan desserts you might like:

• No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Chips Cookies
• Vegan Panna Cotta with Roasted Berries
• No-Churn Vegan Mango Ice Cream
• Vegan Peach Crisp

Healthy vegan meals:

• Curried Red Lentil & Kale Soup
• Pan Fried Falafel
• Slow Cooker Dal
• Curried Sweet Potato Soup with Frizzled Kale
• Asian Peanut Noodle Salad

Watch the video!

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No-Bake Vegan Chocolate Pudding Tart (Gluten Free, Naturally Sweetened)

This easy, no-bake vegan chocolate tart has a rich and creamy chocolate pudding center and a press-in date and pecan crust. The tart is topped with coconut maple whipped cream for a STUNNING but easy dessert. You’ll need to make a batch of this Easy Dark Chocolate Pudding for the tart. Be sure to use full-fat coconut milk in the pudding, and use 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar for the best flavor. You’ll need 3 cans total of coconut milk for the whole recipe—one for the whipped cream topping and two for the pudding (you will have leftover—save it for soups, curries or this No-Churn Mango Ice Cream!). Refrigerate the can of coconut milk for the topping overnight. You can make this tart in a 14-inch rectangular tart pan, in a 9-inch round tart pan, or in individual serving cups—see the Tips below! Take note that the tart needs to be refrigerated overnight then again for 30 minutes after you add the whipped cream topping.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Chilling time1 day d 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 day d 1 hour hr

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: healthy chocolate tart, no bake chocolate tart, vegan chocolate tart

Servings: 6 people

Author: Nicki Sizemore

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 9-10 dates)
• ¼ cup raw cacao powder (or regular cocoa powder)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Filling

• 1 batch Homemade Chocolate Pudding (see recipe link in header above) using full-fat coconut milk and 4 tablespoons coconut sugar

Coconut Maple Whipped Cream

• 1 13.5- ounce can unsweetened full-fat coconut milk (see the Tips below), refrigerated overnight (refrigerate the whole can)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt

Garnish

• Chocolate shavings (see the Tips below)

Instructions

Make the crust

• In a food processor, combine the pecans, dates, cacao powder, cinnamon, salt and coconut oil. Process, scraping the sides occasionally, until the mixture is very finely chopped and sticky (it might take a few minutes). Scrape the mixture into a tart pan with a removable bottom, pressing it firmly and evenly over the bottom and up the sides. Do Ahead: The crust can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.

Make the filling and chill the tart

• Make the pudding using full-fat coconut milk and 4 tablespoons of sugar (see the recipe link in the header!).
• Place the tart pan on a baking sheet (this will make it easier to transport). Pour the pudding into the prepared crust and spread it in an even layer. Refrigerate the tart, uncovered, overnight (be sure to also refrigerate the can of coconut milk for the whipped cream topping).

Make the coconut whipped cream, chill again then serve

• Carefully open the can of refrigerated coconut milk and scoop out the solids on top, transferring them to a medium bowl (save the liquid on the bottom for smoothies!). Using electric hand beaters, beat the coconut cream until smooth. Add the maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Beat on high until the whipped cream is completely smooth.
• Dollop the coconut whipped cream over the tart then spread it gently into swirls. Sprinkle the tart with chocolate shavings. Refrigerate the tart, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes (or for up to 4 hours) before serving.
• Carefully remove the sides of the tart pan. Cut the tart into slices, and serve!

Notes

Storage: Leftover tart can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Tips:

• You will need to make a batch of Dark Chocolate Pudding for this recipe. It’s important that you use full-fat coconut milk in the pudding (not light coconut milk or regular milk) otherwise it won’t set up firmly enough to slice. (You will need 1 full can plus ¼ cup of coconut milk). Also, use the full 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar for the best flavor.
• For the coconut whipped cream, you’ll need to refrigerate a can of coconut milk overnight. Once you open the can, use just the coconut solids at the top (save the liquid at the bottom for smoothies or curries!). Not all brands of coconut milk make good whipped cream. You'll want to buy a brand that is not emulsified (give the can a gentle shake when buying—you shouldn’t hear any sloshing around). Some brands I recommend include: Thai Kitchen, A Taste of Thai, Native Forest Classic and 365 Whole Foods Coconut Milk.
• You can use a 14-inch rectangular tart pan or a 9-inch round tart pan for this vegan chocolate tart, or you can ditch the pan altogether! If you prefer, you can make individual trifles instead. Divide the crust between glasses or ramekins, then press it firmly along the bottom and about ½-inch up the sides. Spoon the pudding on top. Chill overnight, then top with the coconut whipped cream as directed (since you won’t be slicing the tart, you can serve it immediately after adding the whipped cream, or you can cover and chill the glasses for up to 4 hours). 
• If you prefer, you can top the tart with regular whipped cream instead of coconut whipped cream. 
• To make chocolate shavings, run a vegetable peeler firmly along the side of bar of chocolate, letting the shavings fall onto a piece of wax or parchment paper.

I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to give this recipe a star rating and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @nickisizemore so that I can share your creations!

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