Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding

This chocolate orange Christmas pudding is a twist on the traditional festive dessert. It’s raw, vegan and gluten-free, and made with chocolate but still has all the flavours of Christmas. Lighting the pudding with brandy is totally optional, though it does add lovely warmth and makes for quite the showstopper! As well as being tasty, rich and not knowingly healthy this version is simpler and quicker than the usual pudding and can be made in under half an hour.

Takes: 30 minutes

PUDDING

300 g ground almonds
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup date syrup
200 g frozen cherries
3/4 cup CHOC Chick cacao powder
3/4 cup CHOC Chick cacao butter
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup flaked almonds
1 tbsp psyllium husk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg

BRANDY CREAM

1 cup cashews
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. maple syrup
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp brandy

*This recipe is dedicated to the lovely John Cooper, who invested in CHOC CHICK and we are very grateful for his support. Thanks John!

Place the almonds, orange juice, date syrup, cherries and cacao powder and butter into a food processor and process until smooth.
Once smooth add in the spices, followed by apricot, desiccated coconut and flaked almonds. Pulse a couple of times, so that it distributes through out of the mix but some of the texture remains.
Line a small pudding basin with cling film. Using your hands press the mixture into the basin and then put in the fridge to harden
Serve with a splash of brandy, and cream