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Christmas desserts are usually rich, layered, and meant to be shared, and cherries fit naturally into that setting with their colour, sweetness, and festive character. The pairing of Christmas and cherries feels instinctive, bringing a fruit-forward note that works well across a range of desserts. Using Chilean cherries, Chef Meghna Kamdar presents two recipes that place cherries at the centre, balanced by oats, chocolate, and straightforward techniques suited to home kitchens. These recipes are made without refined flour or refined sugar, offering a lighter approach at a time when Christmas desserts are often built around heavily processed ingredients. The focus stays on flavour, texture, and ease, making these cherry-based desserts a stellar addition to your holiday spread.
No Maida, No Butter, No Added Sugar Cherry Choco Lava Cake
Ingredients
- 15–20 cherries, chopped
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 cup instant oats
- 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1½ tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Chopped dark chocolate, for the lava centre
- Extra cherries for the filling
Image credit: Freepik
Method
- Chop the cherries and set them aside.
- Add the banana, instant oats, milk, cocoa powder, honey or maple syrup, and baking soda to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Fold the chopped cherries into the batter gently so they remain evenly distributed. Pour the batter into microwave-safe or oven-safe moulds.
- Create a small well in the centre and add chopped dark chocolate along with a few extra cherries to form the lava filling.
- Microwave for around two minutes, adjusting slightly based on the appliance, until the top is set and the centre remains soft. Serve warm.
Also read: The Christmas Tree Cheese Board: A Holiday Twist On The Classic Grazing Table
No Maida, No Butter, No Added Sugar Cherry Baked Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- A small pinch of salt
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 cup milk, dairy or non-dairy
- Chopped cherries
- Extra cherries for topping
- Icing sugar, optional, for dusting
Image credit: Freepik
Method
- Add the oats, baking powder, salt, bananas, vanilla essence, and milk to a blender and blend until a smooth batter forms.
- Transfer the batter to a bowl and gently mix in the chopped cherries.
- Pour the mixture into individual ramekins or oven-safe cups.
- Top with a few extra cherries.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 to 17 minutes, until set and lightly coloured on top.
- Dust lightly with icing sugar if desired and serve warm.
