Vegan Coffee Chocolate Dip or Frosting from Sweet Potatoes

I had something similar that was used to frost a sheet of vegan brownies during our plant based support group meeting prepared by a member, Linda.  I could not tell that the main ingredient of the frosting was sweet potatoes.  Actually a can of pureed sweet potatoes was used and vegan milk chocolate chips.

I adapted the same approach but instead used sweet potatoes I cooked in the microwave instead of the canned ones.  Instead of the vegan chocolate chips which I did not have any, I used non dairy milk, cocoa powder and maple syrup to come up to the taste that the chocolate chips would have given.  I added coffee granules because I love the taste of coffee and chocolate together.

This is an easy healthy frosting or dip or spread and your family or friends would never guess that the sweet potatoes serve as the base for it.  I have made similar dips before using bananas (here and here) which also works but the sweet potatoes has a neutral taste which does not distract from the taste of the chocolate and coffee.

Vegan Coffee Chocolate Dip or Frosting from Sweet Potatoes

• 1/2 cup non dairy milk
• 4 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp instant coffee granules
• 4 to 6 tbsp maple syrup (or according to your taste)
• 2 cooked sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed

Mix first four ingredients in a blender till well mixed.  Add the sweet potatoes and blend till the mixture is smooth.

Serve as a dip with fresh apple or banana slices.  Use a frosting on a cake.  It can be a spread on your toast or bagels or waffles.  Or eat it as is with spoon.  Yum.  

Low Calorie Cream Cheese Cool Whip Frosting

I topped my daughter's birthday cake with this low calorie delicious frosting.  Everybody loved it!  It was very easy to spread for one thing and this recipe was enough to coat a two layer cake.  The cream cheese gives it body which would not be possible with using just cool whip. The cool whip in turn contributes to its easy spreadability.

I added chopped walnuts into the frosting but you can add anything you like for example drained crushed pineapple, chocolate chips, raisins, etc.  The frosting will take any add ons easily because of its sturdy and yet soft texture.

I used aluminum foil and shaped it into a heart as the mold and placed it in the middle of the cake.  I then added the sprinkles into spaces inside the mold.

                               

I decided on adding almond extract to go with the pistachio cake I used but you can use peppermint etc to go with the cake batter flavor you have.

Without the nuts and for 16 servings, the recipe gives only 53 calories per serving. With the nuts it is 149 calories per serving versus 346 when using straight butter for the cream cheese and cool whip combo. Impressive!

Low Calorie Cream Cheese Cool Whip Frosting

• 4 oz low fat cream cheese (1/2 of a brick), room temperature
• 8 oz cool whip lite topping (1 container)
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp almond extract (or your choice)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk or less
• 2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix the cream cheese, cool whip, sugar and flavorings. Add milk to achieve the consistency you want. Fold in the walnuts or your choice of add ons.

Here are the nutritional facts.

Recipe Above With Nuts

16 servings

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 35 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 149 Calories from Fat 84

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9.4g 14%

Saturated Fat 0.6g 3%

Cholesterol 1mg 0%

Sodium 40mg 2%

Potassium 95mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 13.3g 4%

Dietary Fiber 1.1g 4%

Sugars 11.3g

Protein 4.8g

Vitamin A 1% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 2% • Iron 3%

Nutrition Grade C

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in saturated fat
• Very low in cholesterol
• Low in sodium
• High in manganese

Bad points

• High in sugar
• Contains alcohol

Recipe Above Without Nuts

16 servings

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 20 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 53 Calories from Fat 1

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0.1g 0%

Cholesterol 1mg 0%

Sodium 39mg 2%

Potassium 13mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates 11.7g 4%

Sugars 11.1g

Protein 1.1g

Vitamin A 1% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 1% • Iron 0%

Nutrition Grade D

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Very low in saturated fat
• Very low in cholesterol

Bad points

• Very high in sugar
• Contains alcohol

If Using 2 Sticks Butter (include nuts)

16 servings

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 57 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 346 Calories from Fat 290

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 32.2g 50%

Saturated Fat 15.1g 76%

Cholesterol 61mg 20%

Sodium 164mg 7%

Potassium 90mg 3%

Total Carbohydrates 12.9g 4%

Dietary Fiber 1.1g 4%

Sugars 11.3g

Protein 4.0g

Vitamin A 14% • Vitamin C 0% Calcium 2% • Iron 3%

Nutrition Grade F

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• Low in sodium

Bad points

• Very high in saturated fat
• Contains alcohol