Christmas Steamed Pudding
This is a rich and decadent, fruit filled, steamed pudding that can and will be loved by all. A Christmas pudding that is so easy to make at home for yourself and your family.
Do you like Christmas pudding?
The traditional Christmas steamed pudding can be a love it or hate it dessert. Personally, I cannot find a store brought Christmas pudding that can tolerate, let alone like. But homemade Christmas steamed pudding is a different story altogether. For a festively rich and fruit filled dessert this recipe is an all time favorite. Super easy to make. Just soak the fruit, mix everything together and boil it in a bowl. While this recipe isn’t quite the boozy traditional style Christmas pudding it is an absolutely delicious steamed pud that has tonnes of fruit and festive flavors and tends to be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients
Fruit mix – I like to keep things simple by buying a Christmas fruit mix for this recipe but you can absolutely mix up your own too. Sultanas, currents ,cranberries, raisins, citrus peel and cherries are all good options.
Fruit tea – For soaking your fruit I like to use blood orange or a berry blend but regular black tea is an OK option too you can even make it boozy by adding brandy or rum.
Butter – Salted butter is best for this recipe, make sure you have some extra on hand to thoroughly grease your pudding dish too.
Brown sugar and Golden syrup – For sweetness and depth of flavor.
Breadcrumbs -1 slice of fresh bread blitzed will make enough fresh breadcrumbs.
Mixed spice – Just a little spice to compliment the fruit
Essence – I use brandy and almond essence for that rich Christmas pudding flavor but you could use vanilla to mellow it out more. Or use a tablespoon of brandy or rum for a more boozy flavor.
Pantry staples – Egg, milk, flour, baking soda
Cooking a steamed pudding without a lidded pudding dish
If you do not have a pudding dish you can use a metal bowl with a heavy lip. With this method you will take a piece of baking paper and create a couple of folds in the center. Lay it on top of the bowl and use a string to tie the baking paper down under the rim of the bowl. Next take two long sheets of tin foil and wrap the bowl, first from the underside and then from the top. Tie that firmly with more string under the rim again. Cook your pudding through, removing the tin foil and paper lid before turning your cooked pudding out onto your serving dish.
Slow cooker or simmering saucepan
I like to use both of these methods depending on the day.
The saucepan is a more traditional method with a shorter cook time, however it does tend to need a little bit more monitoring.
Using a slow cooker is a lot more hands off and simple but it will take longer to cook.
For a simple rule of thumb I will use a saucepan if I am making a Christmas pudding to be eaten that lunch time and I will use it if I am reheating a whole steamed pudding so that it will be ready quickly. I will use a slow cooker for an evening Christmas pudding or if I am making this ahead of time.
Serve your pudding with brandy butter, custard or vanilla ice cream.
If you liked this recipe check out these other Christmas recipes too!
White chocolate Christmas fudge
Christmas Steamed Pudding
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, soak the dried fruit mix in hot fruit tea for at least 1 hour.
- Grease and line a 6 cup capacity steamed pudding dish with baking paper. You can also use a large metal bowl with a heavy lip.
- Drain the soaked fruit and place it in to a large mixing bowl along with all of the other ingredients.
- Gently fold everything together until the mixture is just combined.
- Pour your pudding batter into the prepared pudding dish. Cover the pudding with a piece of baking paper then place the lid on top if you have one. Wrap the entire dish firmly in tin foil then prepare your steaming method.
- Place your pudding into your slow cooker. Pour boiling water into your slow cooker so that it reaches approximately half way up the side of the pudding dish. Cook on high for 7 hours.
- Take a piece of tinfoil and roll it into a small donut shape. Place your foil into a large saucepan and place your pudding on top so that it is secure and the pudding dish cannot touch the bottom of the saucepan. Add boiling water to fill the saucepan to until it reaches half way up your pudding dish. Place a lid on the saucepan and simmer on a medium low heat for 4 hours. Top up the water with boiling water if needed.
- Use oven mits or a bundled up tea towel to remove your pudding from the slow cooker. Remove the foil and lid from your pudding dish and place your serving dish on top. Carefully flip the plate right side up, holding the pudding dish securely. Remove the dish and peel off the baking paper.
- Serve your pudding immediately with brandy butter, custard or ice cream.
Notes
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my Christmas steamed pudding recipe. I hope you enjoy trying this out for yourself. Please feel free to add any questions or comments below. I am happy to help out wherever possible and I would love to hear how this recipe worked out for you.
