Our Favourite Christmas Pudding

Makes 2 puddings, each feeding 8-10 people

David Note

I make 4 smaller puddings) @ c. 1.5lbs (680g)each

This is an old North Country recipe for a dark, moist full-flavoured pudding. I make it every year and it seems to have just the right mature, traditional flavour.

Ingredients

4 oz (100 g) self-raising flour

0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml spoon) salt

1 teaspoon (5 ml spoon) mixed spice

1 teaspoon (5 ml spoon) ground cinnamon

0.5-0.75 of a whole nutmeg - grated

0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml spoon) ground cloves

8 oz (200 g) shredded suet

10 oz (250 g) fresh white breadcrumbs

grated rind and juice of 1 lemon and 1 orange

0.5lb (200 g) demerara sugar

0.5 lb (200 g) grated carrots

0.5 lb (200 g) grated cooking apples

12 oz (300 g) raisins

8 oz (200 g) currants

8 oz (200 g) sultanas

4 oz (100 g) mixed peel

4 oz cherries cut into quarters

2 oz (50 g) flaked almonds

2 tablespoons (2 X 15 ml spoon) black treacle

0.5 large wineglass Cointreau or brandy

4 lightly whisked eggs (size 4)


Method

Sieve the flour, salt and spice into a large mixing bowl. Add all the remaining dry ingredients. Mix together thoroughly. Melt the treacle in a pan to make it a little runny. Stir into it the lemon and orange juice and the Cointrea or brandy and finally the eggs. Pour the liquid into the pudding mixture and stir thoroughly. Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave until the next day. Butter two 2-pt pudding basins and spoon in the mixture. Cover with a double layer of buttered greaseproof paper and then either a cloth tied on with string or foil tucked in round the rim. Steam for (5-6 hours large) 4-5 hours medium) in pans of simmering water which should be kept topped up two-thirds up the sides of the basins. When cool, re-cover the basins and store in a cool place. On Christmas Day steam for a further 2-3 hours.   


David:

I use a slow cooker to steam the puddings; this produces less steam and eliminates the need for topping up with water.  I also use this for re-heating.


BACK TO  DESERTS RECIPES

PREVIOUS    NEXT