Mini Xmas Puddings Balls!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….
We put our Christmas Tree up today, and I’ve been thinking more and more about what healthy, delicious and nutritious whole food sweet treats I can make for the festive season to subsitute for the any of the processed, packaged and convenience options.
Most people seem to love the traditional Christmas puddings – you know, the ones served with the creamy white sauce over the top – sweet, dense, rich and satisfying!
Since the release of my latest eBook, “Healthy Chocolate Delights: Nutritious, Delicious & Guilt-free” (sweet treats, puddings, slices, nut cheesecakes and desserts), I’ve been switching focus away from all things chocolate to more naturally sweet and flavourful treats.
Instead of using any of the go-to natural sweeteners – like raw honey, maple syrup, rice malt syrup or coconut sugar – I’ve used only dried fruit, citrus and spices in these deliciously intense little pudding balls.
They really do taste like traditional Christmas plum puddings!
I recommend using fruit that’s free of sulphur/preservatives to minimise the preservative load.
Enjoy these balls of fruity delight, and may they be an easy, wonderful and surprisingly delicious addition to your festive table this Christmas!
Enjoy!
Viki xo
Mini Christmas Pudding Balls – with Creamy White “Sauce”
Makes 36 balls | Prep time 20 minutes | Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Paleo
Ingredients:
Dry:
- 5 medjool dates, pitted
- 5 dried figs
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup dried black currants
- 1 ½ cups walnuts (can use almonds or pecans)
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1 full teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 level teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon chinese five spice
- zest of 1 large or 2 small lemons (can use orange or lime)
Wet:
- Just under a 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2-3 tablespoons white tahini paste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method: If you store your dried fruit in the fridge, allow 15 minutes for the fruit to soften in room temperature.
- Roughly chop the dates and figs and place into the large bowl of your food processor.
- Add in all of the remaining dry ingredients and pulse just enough to combine.
- Gently melt the coconut oil in a small bowl and mix in the tahini and vanilla with a spoon until smooth and creamy. Tip the wet liquid into the food processor over the fruit and spice mix. Process until the mixture is well combined, smooth and soft.
- Roll the mixture into 1 tablespoon balls on a tray lined with baking paper.
Makes approximately 36 balls. Set and store in the fridge.
Creamy White “Sauce”
Place the balls in the freezer while you mix together in a small bowl:
- 1 tablespoon each of coconut oil (can substitute with cacao butter – see note below),
- 1 tablespoon white tahini paste
- 1 tablespoon B Grade pure maple syrup
NOTE – You can actually swap the coconut oil for cacao butter if you prefer to make a slightly firmer sauce, or if you don’t like so much coconut oil taste! Therefore you may prefer to make the sauce recipe as a bigger batch, for example: 1/2 OR 1 cup of each ingredient.
Method:
- Take the balls out of the freezer and spoon the mixture over the top of each ball, then repeat two to three times for a layered look.
- Decorate each with a currant, cranberry, goji berry or pistachio on the top (you may need to dip the fruit into the mixture before placing on top to help stick).
- Store in fridge.
Alternate serving suggestion:
Chocolate Coated Pudding Balls:
Melt some dark chocolate into a small jar and dip the balls in the chocolate with a fork.
Bounce a few times to drain, then place on the baking paper and into the fridge to set 🙂
EXTRA SPECIAL PRESENTATION TIP!
After the dark chocolate has set, make the white chocolate sauce and gently spoon over the top and decorate with a pomegranate seed or two and a tiny mint leaf or three – for a truly decadent christmas pudding creation!
Enjoy!
Viki xo
About Viki
V
iki Thondley is a Mind-Body Wellness Specialist and qualified Holistic Counsellor, Food, Stress & Lifestyle Coach, Meditation Therapist, andEating Disorder Recovery Coach who inspires women to shift from limited thinking, low self-esteem and restriction to whole-self nourishment, body confidence and whole food healing. Recovered from bulimia nervosa and the many years of hormonal imbalances, food prison and self-sabotaging behaviours’, Viki is an inspiring coach, speaker and event host who also provides personalised holistic programs,workshops and retreats to instil self-love, happiness, body confidence and real foodfreedom. She is author of “Achieving Your Wellness: Create a Life You Love” and “Healthy Chocolate Delights: Real Food Sweet Treats”.
