Vegan Chocolate Meets ‘Bacon’ – The Festive Flavour Mashup You Never Expected

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Christmas just got a little sweeter…and saltier. H!P (Happiness in Plants), the innovative British vegan chocolate brand, has unveiled a brand-new holiday creation: the ‘Figs in Blankets’ chocolate bar.

This limited-edition treat combines the rich sweetness of figs with a salty vegan bacon seasoning, all wrapped in their signature creamy oat milk chocolate. Intrigued? So are we.

A flat lay of a "HiP 41% Milk Chocolate" bar with the flavour "Figs in Blankets" surrounded by halved fresh figs and scattered pieces of dark chocolate on a vibrant red background. The arrangement highlights the bar's plant-based and vegan-friendly branding.Pin

This quirky festive flavour wasn’t just a random idea pulled out of a hat. It was the winning concept from a competition hosted by Amazon and The King’s Trust, designed to find the UK’s next big chocolatier.

The expert judging panel, which included celebrity chef and sauce king Levi Roots and H!P founder James Cadbury (yes, of those Cadburys), were wowed by the daring blend of sweet and salty.

A Winning Combination

“At H!P, we’re all about showing that plant-based chocolate doesn’t have to be boring,” said James Cadbury. “When we first heard the idea of mixing figs with vegan bacon seasoning, it definitely raised some eyebrows. But after one taste, we knew we were onto something special. This flavour combo hits the sweet spot—literally.”

A festive Christmas tree decorated with colourful ornaments, including round baubles and branded tags. A "HiP 41% Milk Chocolate" bar with the flavour "Figs in Blankets" is prominently hung on the tree.Pin

But there’s more to this bar than just an adventurous flavour profile. At £3.50, it’s available exclusively on Amazon, with proceeds going to support The King’s Trust, formerly The Prince’s Trust, which helps young people unlock their potential.

The Creative Mind Behind It All

The genius behind this festive concoction is 27-year-old London-based illustrator Louise Coutinho.

Inspired by the classic Christmas dish pigs in blankets, Louise reimagined it through a vegan lens to create her entry. Her bold idea not only took first place but also landed her a collaboration with H!P on the packaging design.

A person sketching playful fig designs with smiley faces in a notebook, wearing a silver wristwatch and a ring on their left hand. A "HiP 41% Milk Chocolate" bar with the flavour "Figs in Blankets" rests on the notebook, featuring a colourful, fig-themed design and branding that emphasises plant-based ingredients.Pin

And speaking of packaging, Louise’s signature smiley face illustration now adorns the wrapper, perfectly capturing the playful nature of this unique bar.

“It’s a dream come true,” Louise said. “Not only did my chocolate creation win, but I got to work directly with the H!P team to bring my vision to life. Seeing my smiley face figs on the wrapper is just the cherry on top.”

Chocolate That Gives Back

This isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, it’s a treat for a good cause. A portion of every sale supports The King’s Trust, helping young people across the UK build brighter futures.

Sylvia Lowe, Director of Brand and Marketing at The King’s Trust, praised the creativity of all the entries, but Louise’s stood out. “Her inventive ‘Figs in Blankets’ idea and artistic talents truly impressed us. Every purchase of this chocolate bar will help transform young lives, making it the perfect meaningful gift for the holidays.”

So, if you’re ready to surprise your palate and do some good this Christmas, grab a bar of ‘Figs in Blankets’ before it’s gone. Because who knew figs and (vegan) bacon could be the festive duo we didn’t know we needed?

Suggested read: Great British Bake Off’s Freya Cox Has a Sweet Surprise for Vegan Bakers



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