Ingredients

1 x 150g Asda free-from Christmas pudding

2 tbsp ground flaxseed or linseed

200g dairy-free dark chocolate, chopped

100g dairy-free spread

100ml plant-based milk, such as oat or almond

Vegetable oil, for the tin

125g self-raising flour

50g ground almonds

50g cocoa powder

150g golden caster sugar

100g light brown soft sugar

¼ tsp fine sea salt

1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

A little icing sugar mixed with a pinch of ground cinnamon, for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: Cut or crumble the Christmas pudding into small chunks and set aside. Mix the ground flaxseed with 4 tbsp water in a small bowl, then leave to thicken until gel-like.

Step 2: Melt 150g of the chopped chocolate, the dairy-free spread, and plant-based milk together in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas mark 4). Oil a 20cm brownie or square cake tin and line it with baking parchment.

Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk the flour, ground almonds, cocoa powder, both sugars, and salt together briefly to break up sugar lumps. Make a well in the centre.

Step 5: Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the well along with the flaxseed gel and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and the flour is fully incorporated; the batter will be thick.

Step 6: Gently fold in the Christmas pudding pieces and the remaining chopped chocolate until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the surface.

Step 7: Bake for 40-50 minutes until the top forms a light crust and the centre wobbles slightly. A skewer inserted should come out with moist crumbs but no raw batter. Let cool completely in the tin.

Step 8: Cut into squares and serve at room temperature, or chill for a fudgier texture. Dust with cinnamon mixed with icing sugar before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use any other vegan Christmas pudding brand if Asda’s is unavailable, or try chopped dried fruit soaked in orange juice as a substitute.

For extra texture, fold in chopped nuts or vegan white chocolate pieces.

Chilling the brownies overnight improves their fudginess and makes them easier to slice cleanly.

Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet dessert.

FAQs

Can I use regular Christmas pudding instead of Asda free-from?

Yes, you can use any Christmas pudding, but check ingredients for allergens if you want the recipe to remain vegan and free-from.

How can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Substitute the self-raising flour with a gluten-free self-raising blend, making sure it’s suitable for baking. You may need to adjust liquid slightly for consistency.