How to Make Pudding from Tofu: Tofu Pudding Recipe ♥

Today's easy, flexible, adaptable (yes, and healthy) dessert recipe: Start with tofu, then add fruit and a touch of sweetness. Whiz in the blender. That's it: You've got pudding!

Not just vegan, "Vegan Done Real". Weight Watchers, 1 or 2 Old Points and 2 to 3 PointsPlus.

As January draws to a close, the self-imposed privation begins to take its toll: the hunger for something sweet grabs tight and won't let go.

Other years, this has meant that I start baking cookies and quick breads again. This year, however, January has been a month of experimentation with what I've come to call 'Tofu Pudding' because of its smooth-smooth texture and the creamy mouth-feel when it's cold. I've been playing around and have four recipes to share. It's got just enough sweetness to satisfy -- and most of the sugar is coming from fruit, so comes from a natural, not a processed, form.

So this year, as January nears its end (how CAN that be???), I'm not fighting off a sugar fix. This is a good thing! And if you've ever wondered how to make a creamy pudding without, you know, cream and all its calories, how to make a low-calorie pudding, how to make pudding without dairy, how to make vegan pudding, well, this is your recipe.

Like so many of my recipes, Tofu Pudding is more 'inspiration' and 'good idea' and 'quideline', more suggestion than prescription -- yes, one more "concept recipe"! So I've included my tips and those of you who make Tofu Pudding, please do add your own tips and variations in the comments so that others may benefit!

TOFU PUDDING - BLACKBERRY

This batch was really soft and pillowy, more pourable than pudding-like.
Hands-on time: 5 minutes
Time to table: 5 minutes but better after resting awhile
Makes 4 cups

19 ounces silken tofu
14 ounces blackberry purée
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix in the blender. Chill.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per Half Cup: 117 Calories; 2g Tot Fat; 0g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium; 22g Carb; 3g Fiber; 19g Sugar; 4g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS Old Points 2, PointsPlus 3

TOFU PUDDING - MANGO

This batch was a little firmer but still, a little soft.
Hands-on time: 5 minutes
Time to table: 5 minutes but better after resting awhile
Makes 3 cups

12 ounces soft tofu
16 ounces mango purée (if you like, save a little for drizzling over top for serving)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Mix in the blender. Chill.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per Half Cup: 100 Calories; 2g Tot Fat; 0g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 6mg Sodium; 18g Carb; 1g Fiber; 16g Sugar; 4g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS Old Points 2, PointsPlus 3

TOFU PUDDING - PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA

I adored this pudding! But the banana does turn the outside layer a dull gray. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed the pudding.
Hands-on time: 5 minutes
Time to table: 5 minutes but better after resting awhile
Makes 2 cups

8-1/2 ounces firm tofu
1 banana
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix in the blender. Chill.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per Half Cup: 122 Calories; 5g Tot Fat; 1g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 37mg Sodium; 15g Carb; 1g Fiber; 11g Sugar; 5g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS Old Points 2.5, PointsPlus 3

TOFU PUDDING - PUMPKIN

My least favorite of the four versions, more of the 'tofu' flavor came forward.
Hands-on time: 5 minutes
Time to table: 5 minutes but better after resting awhile
Makes 3 cups

8-1/2 ounces firm tofu
8-1/2 ounces canned pumpkin purée
4 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

NUTRITION ESTIMATE Per Half Cup: 54 Calories; 1g Tot Fat; 0g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 46mg Sodium; 10g Carb; 1g Fiber; 9g Sugar; 2g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS Old Points 1, PointsPlus 1

ALANNA'S TIPS & KITCHEN NOTES
Silken tofu works better than firm tofu. But I've learned that silken tofu is harder to find, my favorite sources runs out before the weekend. So firm works okay too, just not as well.
A mixer doesn't have enough oomph to create the smooth texture. I made all these in a blender, though with firm tofu, this took some careful spoon work to get it started. (A food processor would likely work, mine is out of commission.)
Fruit is especially luscious paired with the tofu. I was happy to find a frozen mango purée at Trader Joe's, a frozen blackberry purée (with the seeds removed) at my local international grocery (for St. Louis locals, that's Global Foods in Kirkwood).

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MORE FAVORITE TOFU RECIPES
~ Tofu Salad Sandwiches ~
~ Ugly But Delicious Tofu for the Slow Cooker ~
~ more tofu recipes ~
from A Veggie Venture

~ Kitchen Stir-Fry ~
~ Two-Way Lentil Skillet ~
~ more tofu recipes ~
from Kitchen Parade

MORE FAVORITE HEALTHY DESSERT RECIPES
~ Easy Fruit Sorbet ~
~ Light 'n' Easy Chocolate Pudding ~
~ Grape Salad with Almonds & Cilantro ~
~ more Weight Watchers recipes ~
from Kitchen Parade

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