Photo: Christmas Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces suet, shredded
- 4 ounces dark brown sugar
- 1 ounce self-rising flour, sifted
- 2 ounces white breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground clove
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- 5 ounces currants
- 2 ounces sultanas
- 2 ounces raisins
- 1/2 ounce mixed candied peel
- 1/2 ounce blanched almonds, chopped
- 1/2 small apple, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- Grated zest of 1/2 small orange
- Grated zest of 1/2 small lemon
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 1 1/4 ounce barley wine
- 1 1/4 ounce stout, more if needed
- 2 eggs
- Brandy, for flambeing
- Your favorite rum sauce, optional
Directions
The day before you want to steam the pudding: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the suet, brown sugar, sifted flour, breadcrumbs, allspice, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Gradually mix in the currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel, and almonds, followed by the apple and citrus zests. In a small bowl, whisk together the rum, barley wine, and stout, and then beat in the eggs. Pour this mixture over the dried fruit and nut mixture. Mix thoroughly. It should be somewhat loose; if it needs a little more liquid, add some stout. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
The following day: Butter a 1-pint pudding mold and pack the pudding mixture into it. Cover with a double piece of parchment and a sheet of foil and tie securely with a string across the top to make a handle. Place the pudding mold in a covered steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water, and steam for 8 hours. Check the water level, adding boiling water as needed. When the pudding is finished, let it cool and then remove the papers and foil. Replace with fresh paper and make a new string for easier maneuvering. Set in a cool place away from light (under the bed works well).
To reheat, set a saucepan with boiling water over medium heat and put a steamer on top. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, set the pudding in the steamer, cover, and let steam for 2 1/4 hours. Top up the water a bit if necessary.
To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife around the pudding, and then turn it out onto a warm plate. Garnish with a sprig of holly. To flambe the pudding, warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and when it is hot, carefully light the brandy. Place the flaming ladle over the pudding, but do not pour until at the table. When you do slowly pour it over the pudding, sides and all, watch it flame! Serve with rum sauce if desired.
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.
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By WyldStalyn
Cleveland, OH
on December 12, 2011
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Wow! This is really good! I substituted vegetable shortening for the suet and it turned out great. This will become a Christmas staple in my household.
By Cake4All
Nashua, New Hants
on November 22, 2009
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This recipe is bang on. It's nearly identical to the one I've been following for twenty-odd years now, and it was handed down to me, so it does go back a bit.
It's firm, delicious, sweet, aromatic and seasonal, not to mention delicious. I will usually serve this with a dollop of ice cream, and for the really wicked, some (freshly whipped cream, which then sinfully melts into the steamed pudding.
This rounds of a Christmas mean wonderfully, and should be enjoyed with a nice hot cuppa, or if you prefer, coffee.
But take it from someone who knows his puddings, this is a great recipe to use. Leave the other ones to the amateurs.
By bloomers47_12236587
Layton, 84
on October 18, 2009
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I have made Christmas Pudding this way every year for many years, give or take a few minor variations on the quantity of the ingredients, and this is authentic. My own tried and true recipe was from a book by Delia Smith. If you want a dish that originates from another country to be authentic don't knock the result if you don't like it. Just move on!
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