Yule log
If you are still after a traditional pudding, a yule log could be the perfect alternative. This chocolatey festive favourite lets you enjoy a classic Christmas dish without the intense fruit and nut flavours.
A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of yule log recipes - why not do some festive family baking on Christmas Eve? Alternatively, pop to the shops and pick up a ready made one.
Colin the Caterpillar
A slightly unconventional choice, but if you want to take the chocolatey-ness even further, Colin may be what you’re looking for. It is one of my family traditions to serve both a Christmas pudding and a Colin the Caterpillar option, so everyone gets a dessert that they actually like. M&S actually sell Christmas-themed Colins every year, but any supermarket caterpillar cake will do!
For an extra festive touch, serve your Colin warm with some extra-strong, home-made brandy sauce.
Christmas pick and mix
A hearty Christmas dinner can leave you feeling happy and warm but incredibly full, and the thought of a rich chocolate cake may be too much. Instead, get creative and make your own Christmas pick and mix out of all your favourite treats!
You could feature seasonal chocolates to keep the festive feel like Cadbury snowballs or Lindt reindeer, then add in some Quality Street or Celebrations for a nice variety. Serve in a pretty dish and dig in!
If you don’t like chocolate, adapt according to your preference and treat yourself to a bowl of your favourite things - sweets, nuts, fruits, ice cream… The possibilities are endless.
Tiramisu
Spice up this scrumptious dessert by adding amaretto and swapping the traditional lady fingers for panettone! BBC food has a recipe here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/quicktiramisu_89473
