Chocolate Orange Vegan Christmas Pudding

Step 1

Grease a 1 litre/35fl oz (1 quart) pudding basin with the oil and place a circle of greaseproof paper at the bottom.

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cornflour, baking powder, sugar, cocoa powder, breadcrumbs, spices and orange zest.

Step 3

Whisk the orange juice, oil, orange extract and 80ml/21⁄2fl oz (1⁄3 cup) water together in a small jug.

Step 4

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then fold in the soaked dried fruits, dates and the chocolate chips. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pudding basin.

Step 5

Cut a large square of greaseproof paper and another of foil, both slightly bigger than the basin. Place the foil over the paper and make a 2.5cm/1in thick fold in the centre of both layers. Place on top of the pudding basin, paper-side down, and fasten securely with a piece of string around the basin, under the lip.

Step 6

Tie another piece to this one, run it across the top of the basin and tie the other end to the string on the opposite side of the basin to create a handle, so that you can easily lift the pudding out of the pan.

Step 7

Place a trivet or upturned saucer at the bottom of the large pan and place the pudding basin on top. Fill the pan with hot water, so that it comes about two-thirds of the way up the pudding basin. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a gentle simmer, then let it steam for 31⁄2 hours, checking occasionally and topping up the water if needed so it doesn’t boil dry.

Step 8

After 31⁄2 hours, lift the pudding out of the pan and leave to cool for a few minutes, until the pudding starts to shrink away from the basin. Carefully, using a palette knife, loosen the pudding from the sides and turn over onto a plate.

Step 9

Make the quick chocolate sauce. Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water and add a few drops of milk to loosen it into a pourable consistency. Pour over the pudding, to serve.