We’re busy bees at Team Amandean, but cutting out the commute in the last year has meant more time to experiment creatively in the kitchen. Luckily we have a whole product line to upgrade our recipes. Today’s recipe is a dairy-free twist on chocolate pudding, with the addition of wild-caught marine collagen for an extra kick of protein. Our very own Leslie made it herself, and the rest of us instantly drooled and gave it a review of 5-stars.

Why add Marine Collagen to a dessert recipe?

We all know how time consuming food prep can get. That’s why adding marine collagen is one of the easiest ways to keep your protein intake high (and your skin glowing). Marine collagen powder is a high bioavailability, protein supplement that is unflavored and soluble. This makes it easy to blend into all your favorite recipes and drinks. What’s more, marine collagen contains the hydrolyzed collagen peptides from fish, which offer a rate of absorbance higher than any other collagen source. This makes it great value as well.

Besides easy-to-mix into your daily nutrition, marine collagen is an actual superfood when it comes to skincare. It has been shown to promote skin elasticity and hydration, while concealing textural changes, fine lines, and wrinkling. In addition, supplementing with marine collagen has been associated with improvement in skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Marine collagen can also make your nails and hair stronger as you age. It’s a fountain of youth if you use it consistently.

Since collagen is a structural protein, it is also an important factor when it comes to keeping your bones strong as you age. Marine collagen has been found to improve bone density and elasticity, inhibiting bone breakdown and aiding in prevention of bone loss. And if you’re looking to improve your lean muscle mass, make sure you’re adding marine collagen to your pre- and post-workout shakes! Protein is the main component of muscles, and it is what helps them grow while supporting the recovery process. Marine collagen is also an ideal companion on a healthy weight loss journey since it contains no fat, zero carbs, and a satiating protein source.

Here’s how you can make a collagen-infused chocolate pudding yourself:) Let’s go!

Ingredients

Preparation time: 10 minutes; Servings: 4

• 3 Tbsp. (approx. 20 grams) Amandean Marine Collagen
• 1/2 cup milk (cow’s, almond, soy or coconut)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 2 1/4 cups cold milk (cow’s, almond, soy or coconut)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Warm 1/2 cup milk and add 3 Tbsp. Amandean Marine Collagen on top, using spoon to thoroughly dissolve.

Sift together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt, mashing any lumps to assure smooth pudding. Place in saucepan over medium heat and stir in 2 1/4 cups cold milk. Stirring constantly (wire whisk works best), bring to a boil, and add milk/collagen mixture. Lower heat slightly and continue to cook and stir - making sure to frequently whisk the bottom of the saucepan - until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool briefly, and serve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve.  

Pro-tip: For best presentation, while still warm, distribute pudding into intended serving dishes, then refrigerate.

Top with whipped cream substitute such as SO Delicious Dairy Free Coco Whip.