These are the best Vegan Christmas Pudding Protein Balls. It’s basically Christmas pudding in healthy protein ball form that happens to be vegan, gluten-free and no added sugar. I’ve actually not made Christmas pudding before. I hear it’s a pretty big project that needs to be prepared well in advance so I though I’d steer clear of that effort. Instead I took the shortcut, the easy way out of this pudding situation – and no cooking involved with these babies either!
For the purpose of aesthetic appeal, I added fondant icing to decorate the tops of the Christmas puds. However, in real life, to keep it healthy, you can use the cashew cream topping from my Trifle recipe – kind of like the custard you’d have with your Crimbo pud!
Having made a temporary move from London to China, it’s not always easy finding home comforts – Christmas pudding being one of them! So if Christmas pudding won’t come to me – well, I’ll make it! A know of version I guess, but a tasty AF one at least!
Questions about Vegan Christmas Pudding Protein Balls
What is Christmas Pudding?
I’d go so far as to say it’s the favourite Christmas dessert in England – well maybe not if you’re under the age of 16! Christmas pudding is a steamed rich fruit cake, usually infused with sweet spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and a liquor or spirit such as dark rum or brandy. It is extremely moist due to this cooking method used to produce it.
How to make vegan Christmas pudding protein balls?
To make Vegan Christmas Pudding Protein Balls add dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground allspice, ground ginger, pecan nuts, almonds, orange zest and neutral protein powder in a food processor. Blitz until mixture becomes dough-like and sticky. Transfer to a bowl and fold in cranberries and slivered almonds. Shape into balls and top with cashew frosting. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Can you freeze protein balls?
These mince pies can be kept in or out of the fridge in an airtight container for a week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Are protein balls healthy?
Protein balls are usually nourishing since they are commonly made with wholefood ingredients such as oats, nuts and dried fruit. They can also have additional ingredients such as chocolate or other flavourings which may not necessarily be as healthy. This homemade vegan protein balls recipe is made from scratch using wholefoods plus the addition of vegan protein powder which is optional.
Vegan Christmas Pudding Substitutions
- Dates can be replaced with an equivalent quantity of other dried fruits, such as additional raisins, sultanas or cranberries (or any other dried fruit you prefer)
- Cinnamon or any other spice can be used on its own without the others – though the combination gives it more a of traditional Christmas pudding flavour
- Almonds and pecans can be replaced with other nuts such as walnuts or cashews
These Christmas pudding protein balls are…
- Fudgy
- Fragrant
- Spiced
- Gluten-free
- Flourless
- Christmas dessert
- A good source of protein
- Vegan
- Plant-based
More Recipes to Try…
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Vegan Christmas Pudding Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 200 g pitted dates
- 160 g raisins
- 150 g pecan nuts
- 75 g almonds
- 3 tbsp slivered almonds
- 80 g dried cranberries
- Zest of half an orange
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ ground allspice
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 60 g neutral protein powder optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients (except slivered almonds and cranberries) into a food processor into smooth and well combined.
- Transfer mix to a bowl and fold in slivered almonds and cranberries.
- Shape into balls and set aside.
- Top with cashew cream frosting and leave to chill for 30 minutes.
Notes
- Dates can be replaced with an equivalent quantity of other dried fruits, such as additional raisins, sultanas or cranberries (or any other dried fruit you prefer)
- Cinnamon or any other spice can be used on its own without the others – though the combination gives it more a of traditional Christmas pudding flavour
- Almonds and pecans can be replaced with other nuts such as walnuts or cashews
Made this Recipe?
If you had a go at these vegan Christmas puddings, be sure to give me a shout on Instagram at @food_flaneur so I don’t miss out on your creations and give your post some love!
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