This recipe was a hit at the Sexy, Younger, You retreat I cooked for in September, 2013. Coconut milk and chia seeds are full of brain healthy and satiating good fats. If you are not making your own homemade coconut milk then I truly recommend the Native Forest Organic Full Fat coconut milk in the can as it provides a lovely texture. I experimented with a conventional store brand and found it to be very watery.
Spiced Vanilla Chia Pudding with Cacao Nibs and Orange Zest
Recipe Type: dessert, gluten free, dairy free
Author:
Ingredients
- 2-14 oz cans of Native Forest Organic Full Fat Coconut Milk (or 3.5 cups homemade coconut milk)
- Seeds from 1 vanilla bean pod or 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey OR 1 full dropper of stevia extract (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- Toppings: Cacao Nibs and Orange Zest, Coconut Whip Cream
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients (minus chia seeds) in a high-speed blender for 20 seconds or until smooth. Otherwise, you can do this by hand in a mixing bowl.
- Add the chia seeds to the blender and pulse 3 times until incorporated but not pureed. You do not want to grind them up but just mix into the coconut mixture gently.
- Pour mixture into a medium – large bowl and place in the refrigerator.
- Set a timer and stir chia mixture every 30 minutes for the next 1.5 hours (3 times). This step is important so the chia seeds don’t clump.
- It will take about an hour and a half for the chia to set.
- Serve 2/3 cup portions into ramekins. Top with cacao nibs and sprinkle of orange zest or toppings of your choice.
- Garnish with a dollop of coconut whip cream.
- Additional Options:
- Pumpkin – you can add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree and 1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Chocolate – you can add 1/4 cup cacao powder for a chocolate chia pudding.
Hey Amanda! Can’t wait to make this! Now, when you say 1 vanilla bean do mean throw the whole bean into the blender or just the “guts” of it? Hope all is well!
Hi Shane,
If you have a strong blender like a vitamix, you can blend up the whole vanilla bean. If not, just scrape out the beans (guts) inside and add to the filling. Enjoy!!
I just made this but put the whole vanilla bean..oh well. I just have a ninja. I’ll let you know if it’s ok. Chilling now!
Do you mean you blended up the whole vanilla bean including the pod or just the seeds inside? Either way it will still be good. It is hard to have too much vanilla!