Traditional Christmas Pudding Recipe
A traditional Christmas pudding is rare these days. The perfect day to make Christmas pudding is supposedly the first day of advent. You make it and leave it be until Christmas just like a traditional Christmas cake. A perfect moist delicious pudding with lots of fruits, nuts, and brandy makes a perfect treat on a cold winter Christmas evening.
While a lot of the ingredients are quite similar between the Christmas cake and pudding the main ingredient of difference, as far as I know, is the fat. Traditionally, pudding is made with suet and Christmas cake is made with butter. I remember my mom would order beef fat in bulk during this time of the year. She would always have a few of these on order and ready for Christmas.
If you can’t find suet which is essentially beef fat, you can also use high-fat ratio vegetable shortening. Butter would work but with added butter flavor.
A Christmas pudding is steamed not baked so you will need to use a steamer. If you don’t have a steamer you can create one by using a larger pan with water and place the pudding basin in there. The water should not reach more than 2/3 way up the basin. Cover with a lid so the steam stays in there pan and cooks the pudding gently.
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How to Make A Traditional Christmas Pudding
Description
Ingredients
- 150 grams (1.2 cups) All-purpose flour
- 150 grams (1.39 cups) Fresh white breadcrumbs
- 250 grams (1.06 cups) grated Suet Beef or vegetarian
Fruits
- 250 grams (1.14 cups) Light Brown Sugar
- 250 grams (1.72 cups) Raisins
- 250 grams (1.74 cups) Currants
- 250 grams (1.72 cups) Sultanas
- 100 grams (0.67 cups) Mixed peel
- 1 cup (1 cup) Apples finely chopped
Spices
- 1 tsp (1 tsp ) mixed spices
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp (1 tsp ) freshly grated nutmeg
- 100 grams (0.7 cups) flaked almonds
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Orange zest
- 1 tsp (1 tsp ) Lemon zest
Wet Ingredients
- 170 ml (0.71 cups) Brandy
- 4 (4 ) Eggs
- 2 tbsp (2 tbsp) Black treacle
Instructions
- Combine together – Breadcrumbs, flour, salt, mixed spices, cinnamon, nutmeg – combine well
- Add the grated suet and combine well.
- Then add the dried fruits and finely chopped apples – set aside
- Add the lemon and orange zest as well. – Make sure everything is well combined.
- Beat the wet ingredients in a bowl.
- Combine wet to dry ingredients. Combine well using a folding motion so the breadcrumbs do not get too soggy on one side.
- Cover the bowl with cling wrap and leave to rest overnight.
- Butter a pudding basin well on all sides and line with greaseproof paper.
- Pour the pudding mixture
1st Steam
- Cover with a cheesecloth or muslin cloth and tie with a string.
Alternatively, cover with cheesecloth and then wrap with aluminum foil - Steam for 6 hours in a steamer. (see notes)
- When done remove and allow to cool for an hour before you open
- When cooled open and let cool completely. Then cover again and leave in a cool dry place.
2nd Steam
- On Christmas day or day of serving steam the pudding for an additional hour or two
- Turn the pudding onto a plate and pour the brandy over allowing it to soak. Save some brandy to torch.
- Pour the final brandy over and light it with a match just before servings.
- Enjoy
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Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Hi Veena! I absolutely love your Boozy Fruitcake recipe! I really want to make this pudding now. I have a few questions …
When you say “steamer”, i’m not sure what appliance that is.?
And, “a pudding basin”. is unfamiliar to me. It sounds like it has a lid, and i’m not sure what pan to use or purchase.
Finally, and thank you so much by the way… if I want to give this as a gift, Do I do the second steam, and wrap it?
I can’t wait to try a new tradition!
Cathy
Hey, Cathy, I have linked the tools in the post. Thanks