How to make a Christmas Pudding

‘Tis the season of the bake. But we’re not just talking any old autumnal steamed pudding here, we’re talking the ultimate steamed pudding, the one of the Christmas variety. But surely, we’re being slightly premature, we’ve only just into November, for crying out loud! Well, if you want to make a proper Christmas Pudding, you need to get in early. Ideally at least 6 weeks early, to get the desired level of richness and flavour in your ultimate pud. There is even a traditional Christmas Pudding making day, if you please – ‘Stir It Up Sunday’ falls on the Sunday before the start of Advent, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. So here’s our guide to getting the dessert of the special day just right…

Christmas Pudding Ingredients: What you will need…

• 1.7 litre pudding basin, greased  - if you need to invest in an additional cooking equipment, check out our Dunelm voucher codes for 15% off selected homeware items.
• 300g dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants etc)                 
• 150g chopped prunes
• 25g candied peel
• Juice and zest of ½ lemon and ½ orange
• 1 cooking apple, peeled, cored and grated
• 4 tbsp brandy, rich sweet sherry or dark rum (with a bit leftover for after)
• 60g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 110g shredded suet
• 110g soft dark brown sugar
• 110g white breadcrumbs
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon honey

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Instructions for Making Your Own Christmas Pudding

• First things first, put the dried fruit and prunes in a bowl and add the alcohol of choice.
• Marinate overnight, or preferably several days.
• Combine the remaining ingredients (apart from the leftover alcohol).
• Use the easiest method for you, but we suggest mixing the dry components together first, then adding the eggs, juice and honey.

Now here’s where your very own family traditions can come into play – whether it’s each having a stir of the pudding or chucking in the odd coin or two (after they’ve been cleaned of course), it’s up to you. And if you don’t have any family traditions, now is the perfect time to start some!

• Once the stirring has been completed, put the mixture in the pudding basin and secure the lid, if it comes with one, or cover with two layers of greaseproof paper and then a layer of foil before securing with string.
• Place in a large pan of simmering water and steam for 5 hours, remembering to keep topping up the water to stop it boiling dry.
• Once cooked, carefully lift the pudding out of the pan and leave to cool completely.
• Remove the covering and using a skewer, make several holes in the top.
• Pour the remaining alcohol over the holes and then cover up again and leave in a cool, dry spot until Christmas Day.

To reheat, steam for another 3 hours, then once you’ve removed the basin from the pan and uncovered it, place a large plate on the top and turn upside down. The Christmas Pudding should come loose with a small shake and squeeze of the basin. Why not checkout our YouTube video below for step by step guide on how to make a Christmas Pudding:

Christmas Pudding Finishing Touches

And now it’s up to you to garnish however you desire – heat up some alcohol to pour over the top and set alight for extra dramatic effect, or just top with some Christmassy custard. The one thing you shouldn’t forget is that essential sprig of holly for decoration.

But what about the accompanying drinks? Rather than having a mad rush to the off licence on the day in the vain hope that it might be open, order in advance with one of our Drinksupermarket.com voucher codes – you could get free delivery as well as up to 17% off selected lines.

So enjoy your authentic Christmas Pudding in a few weeks time and hopefully you will continue with this tradition for years to come. Check in with My Favourite Voucher Codes regularly for more winter and Christmas-themed recipes, and if you’re after saving more money on your online shopping, be sure download the My Favourite Voucher Codes money saving app to your browser and take advantage of any deals that would otherwise slip through the Christmas shopping net.

By Anna Scott, 4th November 2013