This easy cherry mousse is the perfect healthy dessert – for Valentine's Day or any occasion!

Let's face it, whether you're celebrating with your sweetheart or your best friends, Valentine's Day just isn't the same without dessert.

I love finding ways to indulge in decadent desserts while still knowing I'm making choices that will leave me feeling great, both mentally and physically. What better way than with antioxidant-packed cherries?

Lots of avocado mousse recipes call for chocolate but I love using cherries for both flavor and natural sweetness.  No added sugar needed!

Adding coconut whipped cream to this easy Paleo dessert takes it to the next level, making this a perfect holiday dessert.

This cherry mousse and coconut whipped cream are gluten-free and paleo-friendly. You just may find yourself making this an every-Friday-night thing, not just a Valentine's Day thing.

Check out my tips for making the most of this healthy dessert recipe below!  And be sure to leave a comment if you run into any questions.

Can I meal prep cherry mousse?

The cherry mousse itself is best made fresh so the avocados don't start to turn brown and ruin the beautiful color.

However, you can totally make the coconut whipped cream ahead of time!

Making the mousse only takes a few minutes anyway so if you've already made the whipped cream, you'll be all set.

What are the nutritional benefits of this cherry avocado mousse recipe?

In addition to being totally craveable, this cherry mousse packs in a ton of fiber and vitamins.

Nutritional content doesn't always come to mind when you're thinking about dessert, but I say why not add in some nutrients to your sweet treat?

Thinking about ways to add nutrition (rather than subtract fun stuff like dessert) is a lot easier for most people.  After all, you don't want to feel deprived!

• Cherries: Packed with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, cherries are great for your immune system and blood pressure.  In addition, cherries are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants.  Cherries also contain melatonin and therefore may help with quality sleep!
• Avocado: Loaded with nutrients like potassium, folate, and healthy fats, avocados are good for your heart, your eye health, and even your mood.  Moreover, they also benefit your brain, bone density, and blood sugar levels.

To sum it up, this is definitely a dessert that is good for you, not just good tasting!

Are frozen cherries as healthy as fresh?

Frozen cherries are essential to this recipe, but are they as healthy as fresh cherries?

That's a bit of a tricky question.  Frozen fruit is generally picked at peak ripeness and immediately frozen.  Over time, it can lose some nutrients, but the loss is generally small.

Another consideration is the affordability of quality frozen produce.  For many people, buying frozen can mean the difference between being able to afford organic or not.  This is especially important for fruits like cherries, which are on the dirty dozen!

In short, buying frozen is a great choice!

Is cherry mousse Keto-friendly?

As written, this cherry mousse is too high in carbs for most following a Keto diet.  BUT you can totally substitute one of the fruits from our Top 5 Lowest Carb Fruits list to lower the carbs.

For example, you might use raspberries in place of the cherries for lower net carbs.

Adding a few drops of stevia may be necessary to compensate for using a less sweet fruit.  Stevia can also replace the maple syrup in the coconut whipped cream.

What other flavors can I add to this avocado mousse recipe?

If you're not big on cherries or just want to mix it up, try using a different fruit!  Blueberries or blackberries would be delicious.  Add a little pure maple syrup if the mousse isn't sweet enough with a different fruit.

Try adding a bit of cacao powder to the cherry mousse for a healthy chocolaty kick.  Not much is better than cherry and chocolate together in my opinion!

Almond extract, in place of the vanilla, is another great way to mix it up!

Looking for more easy Paleo dessert recipes? Check these out:

Cranberry walnut dark chocolate drops*

AIP Baked apples

Paleo chocolate pudding parfait

*Make sure to use Paleo-friendly chocolate chips like the Enjoy Life brand to keep this recipe Paleo.

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