1/2 cup plus 4 1/2 Tbsp almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
1 ½ tsp coconut oil (optional)
Pinch sea salt (optional)
Liquid stevia drops, as needed
Garnish:
Pecan halves, as needed
¼ cup Apricot Jam
1 Tbsp filtered water
Instructions
Crust:
Place nuts and dates in a food processor with sea salt and pulse to chop until they are to your desired fineness. You’ll want a finer crust than a chunky one.
Add in the remaining ingredients and run until smooth. Test the crust by spooning out a small amount of mixture and rolling it in your hands. If the ingredients hold together, your crust is perfect. If you don’t feel it’s holding together, try to mix the mixture with your hands until it comes together.
Pour the crust mixture into an 8” or 9” tart pan with a removable bottom. Press firmly, making sure that the edges are well-packed and that the base is relatively even throughout.
Freeze for about 25 minutes. Make the mousse in the meantime.
Chocolate Mousse:.
Cook the sweet potato. Bake at 450 degrees F for 50 minutes, flipping it halfway through or steam for 15-20 minutes on the stovetop (when steaming, add about a cup of filtered water in a pot).*
In a high-powered blender, add the almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla (if you choose to use it), dates, and sweet potato. Blend until smooth.
Taste and add liquid stevia if it needs more sweetness. If you want the pudding to look more chocolatey, add 1 ½ tsp more cacao powder and half of a date or more stevia until it tastes just right.
Garnish:
In a small sauce pan, add the apricot jam and a little water just to make it more spreadable as a glaze.
Assemble:
Remove crust from the freezer,
Spoon the mousse into the crust and spread evenly and flat with an offset spatula.
Top with pecans in any pattern you desire, and brush the pecans with apricot glaze (to make it shiny and look fresh!)
Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Pop the outer part of tart pan off before slicing. Note: this tart tastes best when chilled!
Notes
I prefer peeling the sweet potato after it has been cooked because it’s time-saving. When it is cooked, cut it lengthwise in the center and open it. Spoon out 1 ½ cup of the tender flesh.