Custard Apple Slice Recipe: A Grounding, Cacao-Free Dessert for Calm Evenings

Custard Apple Slice Recipe

This Custard Apple Slice Recipe has become my go-to after-dinner sweet — especially on those nights where I want a little something extra without the sugar or cacao hit that can lead to heart palpitations, wired-but-tired energy, disrupted sleep, cravings, or that familiar “one more piece” spiral.

This slice tastes sweet, feels chocolatey, and delivers that deeply satisfying “ahhh” moment — without raising blood sugar, stimulating the nervous system, or triggering cacao sensitivity.

For me, one small piece is genuinely enough. It’s rich, grounding, and nourishing in a way that doesn’t leave me craving more — something I find is incredibly rare with sugar, especially considering the sad truth that sugar is one of the most addictive substances we regularly consume.

Why This Cacao-Free Chocolate Dessert Feels So Satisfying

This cacao-free chocolate dessert is designed for those who crave something sweet and grounding without the stimulation, cravings, or blood sugar spikes that often come from traditional chocolate or sugary treats. By using carob instead of cacao and focusing on healthy fats and fibre, this dessert supports calm energy, stable blood sugar, and deep satisfaction — especially in the evening.

Why I Love a Sweet Ending (Without Sugar)

I’ve always loved sweets. I grew up on them.And honestly? Having something sweet to close the night still feels like a warm hug from my childhood.

That ritual matters to me.

If I’m not having this slice, I’ll often opt for:

• Banana “nice-cream”

• A protein powder mousse

• Or a warm drink with almond milk

And in all of these, I never add sugar — not even dates, honey, or maple syrup — simply because my body does not tolerate them well. No matter how “natural” they’re labelled, they don’t feel supportive for me.

This recipe reflects that philosophy 🤍

A grounding, chocolate-like slice without cacao or sugar spikes

Carob creates a silky, chocolate-like finish without stimulation

Why This Slice Works

A Chocolate-Like Dessert Without Cacao

Carob is the star here.

It delivers:

• A naturally sweet, chocolate-adjacent flavour

• Zero caffeine

• No theobromine

• A calming, grounding effect on the body

Unlike cacao, carob does not stimulate the heart or nervous system, making it ideal for:

• Evening desserts

• Sensitive nervous systems

• Hormonal imbalances

• Anxiety or sleep issues

Low Sugar, Low Craving, Deeply Satisfying

This slice:

• Uses stevia or monk fruit instead of sugar

• Is rich in healthy fats and fibre

• Slows digestion and stabilises blood sugar

• Leaves you feeling complete, not hungry

Especially because carob adds a silky, almost fudge-like richness, you don’t need much at all.

Custard Apple Slice Recipe: A Grounding, Cacao-Free Dessert for Calm Evenings

Ingredients

Base

Option a: High protein, animal

• 2 cups + 2 tbsp desiccated coconut

• ¼ cup coconut flour (could try cassava flour, prehaps 1/3 cup)

• ¼ cup ghee

• ¼ cup collagen powder

• 1 egg yolk

• Stevia to taste

Option b: Vegan

• 1½ cups desiccated coconut

• ⅔ cup buckwheat flour

• ¼ cup tahini, cashew butter, or macadamia butter

• ¼ cup coconut oil or ghee

• 1 tbsp water

• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional — can replace with more water)

Fruit Layer

• 3 apples, peeled and cut into 1cm pieces (or banana)

• 2-3 tbsp coconut flour

Creamy custard layer

Option a: High protein, animal

• ⅔ cup + 1 tbsp coconut cream

• ⅔ cup + 1 tbsp water or milk

• 1 tbsp gelatine

• 1 egg

Option b: Vegan

• ⅔ cup coconut milk

• ¼ cup tahini, cashew butter, or macadamia butter

• 3 tbsp arrowroot flour

• 3 tbsp coconut oil

• 18–24 drops stevia

• 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)

• 1½ tbsp water

Carob Topping

• ¼ cup coconut oil or ghee

• ½ cup carob powder

• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2. Mix all base ingredients together. Press firmly into a lined square slice tin. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden. Cool.

3. Cook apples on medium heat with 2 tbsp water until soft. Stir in coconut flour. Spread evenly over base. Refrigerate.

Option a: High protein, animal

4. Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan and allow the gelatin to bloom for 1–5 minutes. Gently heat over medium heat, whisking continuously, until just simmering. Remove from heat, pour over the apple layer, and refrigerate until softly firm (1–2 hours) or freeze briefly to speed up the setting process.

Option b: Vegan

4. Mix all creamy custard layer ingredients. Pour over apple layer and bake for 15–20 minutes, until just firm to touch. Cool.

5. Gently whisk coconut oil, carob powder, and salt. Pour over slice and refrigerate until set.

6. Slice into 12–16 pieces and enjoy slowly 🤍

Estimated Macros (Custard Apple Slice – High-Protein / Animal-Based)

12 slices: ~235 kcal | ~9 g protein | ~9 g carbs | ~17 g fat

16 slices: ~175 kcal | ~6.5 g protein | ~7 g carbs | ~13 g fat

Estimated Macros (Carob Slice – Vegan)

12 slices: ~245 kcal | ~4 g protein | ~14 g carbs | ~18 g fat

16 slices: ~185 kcal | ~3 g protein | ~11 g carbs | ~14 g fat

Nutrition values are estimates only and will vary slightly depending on ingredient brands, apple size, and individual slice portions. Vegan version includes maple syrup; high-protein version is calculated without maple syrup.

Who This Slice Is Perfect For (H2)

• People sensitive to cacao or caffeine

• Those wanting sweet without stimulation

• Blood sugar regulation

• Hormonal balance

• Evening desserts that don’t affect sleep

• Anyone healing their relationship with sweets