M&S Christmas Chocolate Pudding

Many people cannot believe that I do not eat pudding of the Christmas variety. To me, it is up there with dried apricots and celery: yuck. Well, the folks at M&S are covering all the bases this year and have brought to their shelves a Chocolate Christmas Pudding.

It was such a novelty to have this: the shape, the texture and color were similar to a traditional pudding but I didn’t dare set it alight with brandy. I cannot imagine how someone could eat this after a feed of turkey and ham (well, maybe not the ham after our recent pork scare). I found the sponge heavy, being drawn to the moist sauce drenched center. But Himself assured me that it was as heavy as Christmas (plum) pudding. It is a nice idea but I will be sticking to their Chocolate Sponge Pudding.

M&S Chocolate Sponge Pudding

This is not just any pudding, this is a moist all butter chocolate sponge topped in a rich chocolate sauce … she says in that distinctive M&S advertising voice over.

But this time, believe the voice, this is quite a pudding. Pop it in the micro for around 40 secs and hey presto, a lovely moist pudding dripping with chocolate sauce.

The main reason this is a hit is because the sponge does not get a chance to dry out as the chocolate sauce is outside. Also the sauce is not overly sweet and compliments the plain chocolate sponge.

Pot au Chocolat a la M&S

This was an impulse purchase in M&S, the half price sticker being the deal clincher (€2.79). How could I go wrong with 2 pots of chocolate, made from the finest Jersey cream and Belgian chocolate, complete in their own little terracotta ramekins?

It was less like pudding and more like chocolate butter. Yes, if I had spread it on toast or crusty bread then it would have been nicer and more appropriate. Just imagine eating a ramekin of cold butter … now imagine a hint of chocolate. Not so great at all.