Since I made my chocolate avocado tortes (see no bake version and cooked crust version), they quickly became a favourite warm weather dessert – cold, decadent, and also two of the 21 most popular dessert recipes on the blog in 2011. The avocado is masked by the chocolate and creates a cream-like texture, richness, and body as a great base for all that chocolate goodness.
I’ve had a few requests to make an avocado-free version due to allergies. For this version, I ended up making a no-bake almond-oat-date-coconut oil crust (instead of this raw chocolate crust) and I used a can of coconut milk and medjool dates as main ingredients in the chocolate cream part. The can of full fat coconut milk replaces the creamy avocado and the medjool dates replace the maple syrup. I replaced the maple syrup because I thought medjool dates would add thickness to the mixture since the coconut milk isn’t as thick as pureed avocado. I’m not saying that it’s not possible to make one with a liquid sweetener, but this was my first attempt. I’m sure there will be others too!
I love how this version turned out. It’s still decadent like the last version, but also a bit lighter because I left out the cup of chocolate chips. The chocolate filling reminds me a lot of chocolate coconut milk ice cream. Because of this, the torte doesn’t get quite as firm as the original because it has more of an ice cream texture. Originally, I tried chilling this version in the fridge overnight, but it never got firm enough. Once I transferred it to the freezer it was cold enough to set. The original torte firms up more because the chocolate chips harden as it chills. Either way, both versions need to be chilled and I like that this version is a bit lighter. Treat it like an ice cream cake and you are good to go!
Oh, and feel free to add sliced strawberries or other seasonal berries on top just before serving. A homemade berry sauce – just puree some berries with a touch of sweetener – would also be nice drizzled over top. Don’t make the same mistake that I did and freeze the strawberries along with the torte. Add them just before serving, and you’ll be in much better shape for slicing and eating.
Frozen strawberries, are also a pain in the butt to photograph!
As you can see:
I got fed up with photographing frozen strawberries (they turn pale and icy), so I added fresh ones on top.
Problem solved. :)

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No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream Torte
Yield
16 squares or triangles
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
2 hours
Total time
No-bake. All-natural. Vegan. Gluten-free option. Soy-free. Refined sugar-free. Chocolate Coconut Ice cream. Lovely almond-oat-date-coconut oil base. Fresh, seasonal berries on top. It’s light enough for summer, but rich enough for a special treat.
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 cup whole raw almonds
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats*
- 150 grams medjool dates (about 10), pitted*
- 1/4-1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
For the chocolate torte
- 300 grams medjool dates (about 22-24), pitted*, to taste
- One can (398 ml) full-fat coconut milk
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 2 tbsp cashew nut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener), or to taste
- 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt, or to taste
- Fresh strawberries or other berries, for garnish
Directions
- Grease a 10 inch springform cake pan with coconut oil very well. I used a springform pan so it would be easy to slice and get out of the pan. Set aside.
- In a food processor, process the crust ingredients together until crumbly and sticky. You want it to look a bit coarser than sand. Press this mixture into the prepared cake pan, evenly and firm.
- In the processor (give it a quick wipe!), add all the torte ingredients except the agave, salt, and strawberries. Process until super smooth. Add the agave and salt to taste. Adjust sweetness if necessary. Pour this mixture on top of the prepared crust and smooth out.
- Carefully place the torte in the freezer (uncovered is fine) for several hours until firm. I’m not entirely sure how long it will take to set since I started mine in the fridge. When it’s ready and firm enough, place on the counter for about 10 minutes to soften up a bit. Slice, garnish with berries, and serve immediately. Will melt quickly! I sliced my pieces into squares/triangles and made about 16 pieces.
Tip:
I weighed the medjool dates with the pits still in them. I suggest weighing them if possible since medjool dates vary in size so much. For gluten-free version, use certified GF oats and check all other ingredients.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Yup, I’d say it’s a winner…
Enjoy!








Looks delicious!
Yum! I made something similar last week with bananas instead of the full-fat coconut milk. It ended up being a chocolate bottom with banana ice cream on top with a bunch of vanilla beans! Definitely going to be trying it with chocolate in the top mixture, too.
Oh wow. No words. :) This looks amazing. I’m really on a coconut kick lately
I think this would be good to make and just eat the ice cream part! It looks so yummy!
droooooooooooooool! it sounds ah-mazing!
Wow, Looks so good and really complimentary ingredients to go with. A must make, and SOON! Have a great day!
these pictures are killing me! what a perfect summer dessert :)
Ooh, sounds good in the impending heat! Makes me wish I had a bigger freezer for storing such things… there’s no flat space! This might push me over the edge and force me to buy a new one. Finally. It needs to be done. :P
This looks DELICIOUS — perfect for the incredible heat we’ve been getting in Toronto! :D
I agree! Let the heat continue ;)
Yum! This looks AMAZING. You have a gift!
I love how you say “carefully” place the tore in the freezer…because I am not the only one who makes mess after mess after disaster in the kitchen when I’m in there :) have I mentioned that I am totally excited for the book to come out in 2014 :D
I would love to make this! However, I’m really trying to cut down on the oil, would there be a way to make the crust without it?
Possibly! you’d need to use more dates though so it binds.
When I make crusts for tortes like this, I don’t use oil. If your mixture seems dry, you can just add a bit of water at a time until it will hold together. In the finished recipe I can’t tell the difference ;) good luck!
Thanks Somer!
That filling…dates and coconut milk and cashew butter and cacao…oh wow, I bet it’s just so rich and creamy and incredible! I’d love a slice!
Thank you Angela,
My daughter Melissa asked me this morning
“What cake are you going to make for my birthday?” I said, I don’t know, what would you like?
and she answered “chocolate and strawberries”.
How perfect is today’s post?
I’m going to try it out ;o)
Wow thats great timing! Hope you enjoy it :)
Mmmm! Looks great! I will have to hold off because medjool dates are so freaking expensive around here, and that’s at least two boxes… but this does encourage me to look back at some of your other stuff — need some healthy desserts in my freezer!
This looks SO dreamy…
This torte looks amazing! I bet it’s great with coffee ;)
That looks so ridiculously delicious – it’s hard to believe almost anyone could eat it!
as soon as I saw the first picture in all its melty creamy glory, my eyes went like 0_0 haha! It looks sooo good. And I agree that frozen fruit SOMETIMES can come out nice and frosty (like blueberries) but they’re not pleasant to work with, especially if they bleed a lot! xD
You make the best looking desserts! I love that this one is no bake (esp since I tend to always burn things!)