Chocolate Cream with Stevia

Introduction

Chocolate Cream with Stevia uses half and half, heavy cream, water, and Atkins Chocolate Shake Mix to make a cold, smooth dessert in about 5 minutes. Lightly whipping the dairy first gives you more body than a standard shake, so it fits as a quick low-sugar dessert or a small make-ahead treat.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) or 1 part half and half
• 1 cup (240 ml) or 1 part heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) or 1 part water
• 4 scoops or 1 part Atkins Chocolate Shake Mix
• 2 tsp or 1/24 part stevia extract or other sugar replacement

Instructions

1. Lightly whip half and half and cream in a blender.
2. Add other ingredients into blender.
3. Blend everything together until smooth.
4. Enjoy.

Variations

• Replace the half and half with whole milk if you want a lighter result. The texture will be looser and less rich.
• Replace the heavy cream with more half and half for a drink that feels less like dessert. You’ll lose some thickness and the finish will be less creamy.
• Replace the water with cold brewed coffee for a stronger chocolate profile. The coffee adds bitterness that cuts the sweetness.
• Replace the stevia extract with another sugar replacement in an equivalent amount. The sweetness stays similar, but the aftertaste can change depending on the sweetener.
• Replace the Atkins Chocolate Shake Mix with another chocolate shake mix or chocolate protein powder. Expect some change in sweetness and thickness, since different mixes absorb liquid differently.

Tips for Success

• Use cold half and half and cold heavy cream so they whip more easily in the blender.
• Stop after the dairy is lightly whipped. If you overblend at that stage, the heavy cream can turn too thick or grainy.
• Add the dry shake mix after the dairy has started to aerate to reduce clumps.
• Blend until the color is completely even and no powder sticks to the sides of the blender.
• Serve it soon after blending if you want the fullest texture, since the mixture settles as it stands.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It is best the day you make it, since some of the whipped texture fades over time.

Do not freeze it if you want the same texture back after thawing; the dairy can separate. Do not reheat. Serve it cold, and stir or re-blend briefly before serving if it has settled in the fridge.

FAQ

Can you make this ahead of time?

Yes. You can make it up to 2 days ahead, but it will be thickest and most aerated right after blending.

Why is my chocolate cream too thin?

The dairy may not have been cold enough, or it may not have been lightly whipped before adding the rest of the ingredients. Blending until fully smooth also helps the shake mix thicken the mixture evenly.

Can you use a different sweetener instead of stevia?

Yes. Use another sugar replacement with similar sweetness, then adjust to taste because different sweeteners vary a lot in strength and aftertaste.

Can you skip the heavy cream?

You can, but the texture changes noticeably. Replacing it with more half and half makes the drink lighter and less creamy.