Vegan chocolate mousse tart made with less than 10 ingredients! The tart features a silky smooth tofu chocolate mousse, customizable crust and tangy layer of raspberry jam.
The no-bake tart is gluten-free, has no refined sugar, no coconut and no cashews! This dessert is like a classic French silk pie but easier!
Why you'll LOVE this tart
This vegan chocolate tart was THE MOST POPULAR item when I held market stalls for my cake business. Customers frequently asked for the recipe and vegans and non-vegans alike would come back for seconds. It was so popular that I published the original recipe in my cookbook!
I've simplified the vegan chocolate tart to make it easier for you to make at home. The mousse filling is soft but sturdy enough to be kept at room temperature for a few hours. And I've included a few ways to customize the tart to your tastes.
The tart is easier to make than a traditional chocolate pie. There's no pastry, no rolling pins and no baking!
This chocolate mousse tart is an easy but impressive dessert that doesn't 'taste vegan' at all!
Ingredients you'll need
Notes about the ingredients
Soft silken tofu is the MAGICAL ingredient of this vegan chocolate tart. When you blend silken tofu with chocolate and flavorings, it turns into the silkiest and creamiest chocolate mousse ever. You won't taste the soy at all! Even my tofu-hating partner loves this tofu chocolate mousse!
Vegan chocolate (preferably dark chocolate) helps the tart filling set. Using a little extra chocolate means that we don't need coconut oil, agar or cashews! I'd recommend using a brand of chocolate that you enjoy eating by itself because it's the main flavor of the tofu mousse. Dairy-free milk chocolate should also work but it may result in a softer filling as milk chocolate has contains less cocoa solids.
Pecans or nuts/seeds of choice which is combined with dates to make the brownie-like tart crust. If you can't have nuts, sunflower seeds work well! Alternatively, you can make a chocolate cookie base which I'll talk about at the end of this post.
Raspberries and chia seeds to make a tangy jam layer. If you don't like/have chia seeds, you can make a quick 3-ingredient homemade jam-free or use store-bought jam (more on that later). Or you can just skip the jam layer!
A complete list of ingredients, quantities and instructions are in the gray recipe card at the bottom of this post.
No-bake brownie base + tips
The chocolate base is an easy yet decadent foundation for this vegan chocolate pie. It comes together in a food processor and is so good that you can eat it by itself. In fact, the base is adapted from my raw vegan brownies recipe.
First, the dried dates need to be soaked in water for a few hours! If you forgot to do this, simply cover your dried dates with boiling water for 5 minutes or until they are soft. Or you can just use Medjool dates!
Pulse all the nuts (or seeds) in a food processor until they form coarse crumbs. Drain the dates and add them to the food processor with the cocoa powder. Process until the mixture comes together and can be pinched between two fingers without breaking.
If the mixture is too dry, add a dash of water. If the mixture is too wet, add some extra nuts, seeds or even almond flour.
Firmly press the mixture into your tart pan or pie dish.
If your tart pan isn't non-stick, I'd highly recommend lining the bottom with parchment paper or greasing the bottom and sides. The no-bake crust can be a little sticky so lining the pan makes it easier to remove your vegan chocolate pie! Or use a pie dish and call it a day.
Raspberry jam layer
Although it's optional, the raspberry jam takes this vegan chocolate tart to the next level. Its tangy flavor complements the richness of the chocolate!
If you used fresh (or fully defrosted berries), simply add all the ingredients to a large bowl, mash with a fork and stir until combined. Set aside to thicken.
If your berries are still frozen, add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and cook until the berries have broken down and forms a thick jam.
When the jam has thickened to a spreadable consistency, generously spread it on the bottom and sides of your tart or pie crust!
Tofu chocolate mousse filling
KEY TIP: Make sure the tofu is at room temperature (or just below room temperature). When chilled tofu is combined with chocolate, the temperature may cause some of the chocolate to set which may result in a grainy mousse.
The melted chocolate can be warm but not hot enough to melt your food processor or blender!
To make the mousse, simply add all ingredients to your processor or blender and blend until the mixture is as smooth as possible. If you only have a stick blender, you can blend the ingredients in a large bowl!
The vegan chocolate mousse should be extremely smooth, creamy and may have some air bubbles. The thickness or consistency of your mousse will depend on the temperature of your ingredients and home! Don't worry if your mousse is thinner or thicker than pictured.
If you'd like to add extra flavor to your filling, you can also add:
- A few tablespoons of peanut butter or almond butter
- Dash of espresso powder
- Flaked sea salt
- More cocoa powder or maple syrup
Pour your mousse onto your tart/pie and smooth the surface with a spoon. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until set (overnight if you want to be extra safe).
Customizing the vegan chocolate pie
Yes! I'd recommend making the crust from my vegan peanut butter pie. For stability, I'd suggest baking the crust!
For a QUICK 3-ingredient homemade jam, I'd recommend making the raspberry jam in my vegan peanut butter pie.
You may use store-bought raspberry or strawberry jam. However, store-bought jam isn't as thick and vibrant as homemade jam. You can use store-bought jam as is or reduce it on the stovetop until it's thickened.
Tofu can't be easily substituted. If you're concerned about flavor, the soy flavor is not noticeable with the right ingredients.
My partner doesn't like tofu but this tart is his favorite dessert from my blog! And when I had a cake business, body-building omnivores wouldn't believe me when I disclosed that tofu is in this tart!
The chocolate can be combined with coconut cream and milk to make a chocolate ganache filling. However, I haven't tested quantities so can't vouch for results. Alternatively, check out my chocolate avocado mousse tart.
Expert tips
This happens if your mousse ingredients are too cold or very different in temperature.
If you have a high-powered blender, simply continue blending the mousse. The friction from the blades will eventually warm up the mousse and will melt any bits of chocolate.
Alternatively, you can pour the mousse into a large pot over low heat until the mixture melts and emulsifies. Your mousse will turn a darker color but it'll still be delicious!
Yes, this tart freezes well, thanks to the high amount of chocolate in the filling! I'd recommend freezing it without any berries on top.
When eaten straight from the freezer, the tart has a thick and fudgy texture and is the perfect Summer chocolate dessert! Alternatively, you can defrost it in the fridge and enjoy it later.
More vegan chocolate recipes
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Vegan Chocolate Mousse Tart
Ingredients
No-bake chocolate brownie base (note 1 for alternative)
- 2 ¼ cups (225g) pecans, walnuts, or any nut/seed
- 1 ½ cups (120g) pitted dried dates, soaked in water for at least 2 hours (note 2 for quick version)
- 2 tablespoons (15g) cocoa or raw cacao powder, or to taste
- Pinch of any good quality salt
Raspberry chia jam (optional, note 3 for alternatives)
- 1 cup (125g) fresh or frozen raspberries, or strawberries (defrosted if needed)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons sweetener or sugar, of choice and to taste
Chocolate tofu mousse filling
- 1 ½ cups (255g) dark semi-sweetened vegan chocolate, roughly chopped (or chocolate chips)
- 21 ounces (600g) silken tofu
- ¼ cup (85g) maple syrup, or granulated sugar of choice, to taste
- 2 tablespoons (15g) cocoa or raw cacao powder, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder, optional
- Pinch of any good quality salt, optional
To decorate (optional)
- 1 cup (150g) fresh berries
Instructions
- Line or grease a deep 8-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, a regular 9 inch tart pan or 9 inch pie dish.
Chocolate brownie base:
- Add the pecans (or nut/seed of choice) to a food processor. Process until it forms coarse crumbs.
- Drain the dates. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and process until it comes together and there are no more chunks of dates. The mixture is ready when it can be pinched between two fingers without breaking.
- Press the mixture into your tart pan or pie dish.
Raspberry chia jam:
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mash with the back of a fork until raspberries have broken down. If your raspberries aren't defrosted, add all ingredients to a small saucepan over low heat. Mix until combined then set aside to thicken.
- Spread the chia jam along the bottom and sides of the crust.
Chocolate tofu mousse filling:
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Allow the chocolate to come to cool slightly (or come to room temperature).
- Add the melted chocolate and rest of the filling ingredients to a food processor. Process the mixture until it forms a very smooth mousse (note 4).
- Pour the chocolate mousse into your tart/pie. Use a spoon to smooth the surface.
- Place the tart/pie in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until set.
To serve:
- Decorate the vegan chocolate tart with berries or as desired. Serve!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The tart (without the berries) can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Notes
- Alternatively, I'd recommend making the chocolate cookie base from my peanut butter mousse pie recipe.
- If you forgot or don't have the time to soak your dates, place them in a heat-safe bowl and cover them with boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain the dates and use them in the recipe. Alternatively, you can use around 10 medjool dates.
- Instead, you can make the quick raspberry jam from my peanut butter mousse pie recipe. Store-bought jam will also work but it won't be as vibrant and thick as the original recipe, unless you reduce it on the stovetop.
- Taste test the mousse at this stage. If you'd like it to be sweeter or richer, add more maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla or salt to taste. I find that the flavor intensifies after it's chilled. As mentioned in the blog post, you may also add some espresso powder, almond butter or peanut butter, to taste.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2018 and was updated in 2022 for ease and simplicity.
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Hi Anthea
Thank you for this great recipe. I made it last weekend for my daughter’s birthday. My own love for chocolate and my sister’s having to live without gluten were the reasons I chose to prepare this tart.
I have your cook book and the recipe is slightly different from the one on your blog.
Here’s my question: I put the tart in the fridge overnight; when I took it out, it was rather wet, and the crust wasn’t firm anymore. Could you think of a reason? I did what the cook book’s recipe said, the only thing I did differently was that I didn’t add more cocoa powder to the filling as it tasted chocolatey enough with the melted chocolate.
Again, it was delicious and would like to make it again, hopefully without it becoming too moist.
Hi Els, glad you enjoyed the recipe from the cookbook! Yes, I recently updated the recipe to make it more simple (which is the recipe you see above) :). Both versions are still delicious!
For the cookbook recipe, did you put it in a container? Sometimes if we put an overly warm tart (or any baked good) in a container in the fridge, it can cause condensation in the container and make the tart too moist. Another reason for a soft crust is if the raspberry jam or the chocolate mousse had too much moisture (which can be caused by omitting the cocoa powder), or if the chocolate mousse didn't set firmly enough. Try using a little less raspberries (to make your chia jam thicker) or in the filling, using a firmer coconut cream or a brand of tofu which isn't as soft (basically less runny ingredients in the filling). It will make the filling less 'pudding' like but still delicious! I hope that helps!
Hi Anthea,Thank you so much for replying. It was most helpful.
Best regards, Els
Hi Anthea,
This is such a great recipe, thank you! I've made this tart a few times now and everyone loves it. I've decorated the top with candied oranges, dipped in dark chocolate and at other times with loads of berries.. I love how it uses ingredients that are readily available and how I can use almonds if I don't have pecans or almond spread instead of peanut butter. Oh and I always love a make the day before dessert.
I love the sound of all of your variations and soo glad this recipe has become a regular in your house! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your feedback 🙂
Thank you for this recipe! I made this for our 1st anniversary and it was way beyond my boyfriend's expectations. We both loved it so much! <3
Aw that's soo lovely to hear!! Thanks so much for your feedback 🙂
Terrific recipe! Very easy to make, and a taste sensation!! Highly recommend.
FYI for the choc I used Lindt smooth dark chocolate, and I had run out of pecans so I used walnuts with no issue.
So glad you enjoyed this Priscilla! Glad it worked with Lindt dark chocolate and walnuts instead. Thanks for your ongoing support and I hope you've been well xo
I am going to make this for my family and wanted to know if the dairy free chocolate is semi-sweet, bitter sweet or unsweet? Thank you
I used semi-sweet chocolate for the recipe. Taste test the filling before you pop it in the base to see if it's too sweet (or not sweet enough) for you! Thanks!