Chocolate Christmas Puddings

Preparation time: 30min plus cooling Cooking time: 1hr 5min

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) ◆ 55g dairy-free

margarine ◆ 55g self-raising

gluten-free flour ◆ 75g dried dates,

chopped ◆ 85g dark brown

sugar ◆ 65g soya yogurt ◆ 25g cocoa powder ◆ ½tsp bicarbonate

of soda ◆ 1½tsp ground mixed

spice ◆ 125g mixed dried

fruit ◆ 10g cornflour ◆ 300ml soya milk 1 Grease and flour 4 x 150ml pudding basins with 5g margarine and flour. Put the dates in a small saucepan with 75ml water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 5min until ver y soft. Beat until smooth, and leave to cool completely. 2 Mix the remaining margarine with 50g sugar, yogurt and the cold date mixture until well blended. Sieve the flour, 15g cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and spice on top. Add the fruit and gently mix everything together. 3 Divide between the basins, smooth the tops, cover with baking parchment and secure in place with a layer of foil. Place in a steamer over gently boiling water, cover and cook for 1hr until firm to the touch. 4 Just before ser ving, put the cornflour and remaining sugar and cocoa in a saucepan. Gradually blend in the soya milk and heat gently, stirring, until boiling, then cook gently for 1min. To ser ve, turn the puddings on to warmed plates and serve immediately with the hot chocolate sauce.