Chocolate Cherry Christmas Puddings for Four

A rich, modern festive twist for small gatherings (and yes — perfect for solo eaters too).

If you’ve been around here before, you’ll know Plan4One has a bit of a soft spot for chocolate. Not the “oops I ate the family block by myself” kind (though no judgement), but the joyful, sophisticated, festive kind — especially when paired with cherries.

And because Christmas baking often leans heavily into traditional flavours, I thought it was time we introduced something a little sultrier to the dessert table. Something rich. Something glossy. Something that makes your kitchen smell like a Hallmark movie but still feels modern and fun.

So today’s festive favourite is Chocolate Cherry Christmas Puddings — a small-batch recipe that makes exactly four fudgy, decadent little puddings.

They’re perfect for gifting, perfect for low-key gatherings, and, honestly, perfect for anyone who thinks the classic pudding could use a chocolate upgrade (I see you).

🌟 Why You’ll Love These Puddings (Especially If You Cook for One)

Here’s the thing: most Christmas puddings feed a small army. These?
They’re quick, cute, portion-controlled, and ideal for anyone who wants a little festive baking moment without the commitment of a giant bowl of fruit.

These puddings are:

Rich, fudgy, and molten-centred (the dream trio).
Made with dried cherries + real chocolate — no shortcuts.
Ready in under 25 minutes — yes, really.
Perfect for gifting — think: Christmas brownies dressed up for the holidays.
Scalable — make one, four, or a full dozen with zero stress.
Beginner-friendly — you can whip these together after work without crying into your mixing bowl.

Plus, the cherry–chocolate pairing feels like Christmas without going full traditional. It’s festive with a wink.

❤️ Hero Ingredients & Why They Shine

Let’s talk flavour (and a little bit of nutrition, because that’s how we roll).

Dried cherries

Tart, sweet, chewy, and absolutely beautiful in a pudding
Rich in antioxidants
Add natural sweetness without overwhelming the dessert

Cocoa powder

Gives that deep, real chocolate flavour
Adds iron and magnesium (yes, your Christmas pudding is practically a multivitamin now)

Dark chocolate

Creates richness and melty pockets
Boosts mood — wonderful if your December calendar is looking… a lot

Port or cherry juice

Softens the fruit and enhances the cherry-chocolate pairing
Smells like a festive hug

All together? They create a pudding that’s Christmassy but not heavy, indulgent but not cloying, and sophisticated but easy enough for a Tuesday night.

🍒 Chocolate Cherry Christmas Puddings

Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 18–20 minutes (oven)
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

Ingredients

¾ cup dried cherries (or mixed fruit if needed)
2 tbsp port or cherry juice
½ cup self-raising flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
¼ cup caster sugar
50 g dark chocolate, chopped
1 egg
40 g butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract

🍫 Step-by-Step Instructions

(If you can stir, you can make these.)

Step 1: Soak the cherries

In a small bowl, combine the dried cherries with port or cherry juice.
Let them sit for about 20 minutes so they plump up and soften.

Step 2: Mix your dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

self-raising flour
cocoa powder
caster sugar

A little tip: sift the cocoa if it’s clumpy — makes your batter silky smooth.

Step 3: Add the wet ingredients

Stir in:

melted butter
egg
vanilla extract
chopped chocolate
soaked cherries + their liquid

Mix until just combined.
We don’t want to overmix — this is a pudding, not an arm workout.

Step 4: Fill your tins

You can use:

4 ramekins
4 silicone muffin cups
A small muffin tin with 4 wells filled

Grease whatever you choose to avoid heartbreak.

Divide the batter evenly.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 170°C for 18–20 minutes.

You’ll know they’re ready when the tops:

are slightly domed
feel firm at the edges
still have a gentle softness in the middle (molten heaven)

Step 6: Serve immediately

And I mean immediately.
These puddings are glorious warm.

Serve with:

whipped cream
vanilla yoghurt
ice cream (highly recommended)
a tiny drizzle of melted chocolate

Or all of them. This is Christmas, not tax season.

🔄 Variations & Fun Swaps

Because flexibility = festive joy.

Swap cherries for…

dried cranberries
chopped dried figs
mixed dried fruit

Add festive flair with…

½ tsp cinnamon
orange zest
a pinch of espresso powder (for extra chocolate oomph)

Want them gooier?

Underbake by 2 minutes.
(Tell no one.)

Need dairy-free?

Swap butter for coconut oil and use dairy-free chocolate.

Need gluten-free?

Use gluten-free self-raising flour.
Texture stays surprisingly perfect.

❄️ Storage & Leftover Tips

These puddings store beautifully — in case you somehow don’t inhale them on the same day.

Fridge:
Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.

Freezer:
Freeze individually wrapped puddings for up to 2 months.
Great for last-minute dessert emergencies (a real thing in December).

Reheat from frozen:
Microwave 45–60 seconds or bake 8 minutes at 150°C.

📏 Scaling Tips

Because sometimes it’s just you, and sometimes it’s you + six hungry relatives.

To make a single pudding

Divide everything by 4.
Bake in a ramekin for 12–14 minutes.

To make 8–12 puddings

Multiply ingredients.
Bake in a muffin tin and reduce baking time by 2–3 minutes.

To make one large pudding

Double the recipe.
Bake in a small loaf tin for 28–30 minutes.

For gifting

Bake in silicone muffin cups → pop out → wrap in baking paper + ribbon.
People will think you’re a festive goddess.

🌡️ Reheating Guide

If you want them molten again (yes, you do):

Microwave: 20 seconds
Oven: 8 minutes at 150°C
Air fryer: 3 minutes at 140°C (if you must)

🎉 When To Serve These

These chocolate cherry puddings are perfect for:

Christmas Eve movie nights
Friendmas dinners
Office “dessert tables”
Little edible gifts for neighbours
Treating yourself on a Tuesday because it’s December and that’s valid
When you want a Christmas pudding but not the 12-month commitment

💬 Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cherry Christmas Pudding is one of my favourite modern festive desserts — it’s rich, cozy, deeply chocolatey, but still bright and fruity. Best of all, it’s small-batch by design, perfect for when you want a little Christmas indulgence without drowning in leftovers.

Trust me: serve these warm and watch everyone fall silent for a moment. That’s the chocolate magic doing its job.

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