CAPSULE REPORT: America loves hummus, as can be seen by the proliferation of brands and flavors in the refrigerator case of almost every supermarket and deli. It’s nutritious and gluten-free. So what about dessert hummus? Dessert from chickpeas? That breakthrough concept is now available and actually delicious! This is Page 1 of a two-page article. Click on the black links below to visit Page 2.
Hummus is high fiber, high protein, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free. Yet, this spread and dip—popular with pita, crudités and chips—is the epitome of savory. Dessert hummus?
Visionaries have played around with the concept, and Chuck McGonagle has managed to create an impressive line that will please anyone who enjoys pudding. As a bonus, it has half the fat of traditional hummus because it lacks the tahini; but it has the same calories, because of the added sweetener, evaporated cane juice. The other ingredients include chickpeas, safflower oil, the particular flavor ingredients—almond, apples, cocoa, peanut butter, pumpkin and walnuts—spices and flavoring extracts. There is no added salt.
All natural—no additives, no preservatives and a healthier dessert for kids (and the rest of us)—dessert hummus is a winner. And kids will like it: The product was created because Chuck’s daughter, a picky eater, wouldn’t eat traditional hummus. “Can’t you add some peanut butter to this?” she asked. We hope she’s getting a royalty!
Dessert Hummus Flavors
We were surprised and delighted by Dessert Hummus. “Never pre-judge” is one of our standards, but there was a nagging doubt about tossing sugar into hummus. We dove in, tasting them straight from the spoon:
Carmel Apple
Chocolate Mousse
Maple Walnut
Peanut Butter
Pumpkin Pie
Toasted Almond
Five of the six flavors were hits. Except for the Chocolate Mousse, which is a difficult flavor to get right (and in the case of a heavy food like hummus, should not be called “mousse”), the flavors truly read as expected:
You will have a caramel apple, maple walnut or toasted almond experience; the peanut butter and pumpkin pie are especially delightful because they do not disappoint lovers of those comfort foods.
Serve a trio of flavors for dessert.
Most people are accustomed to eating hummos as a dip or a spread, and you can do the same with Dessert Hummus. You can also eat it like a pudding or a sundae, or in any number of combinations described in the next section.
