Christmas Pudding Recipe

 

🎄 Traditional Christmas Pudding Recipe | Classic Holiday Dessert

Make this rich and festive traditional Christmas pudding at home! Loaded with dried fruits, warm spices, and a splash of brandy, it’s the ultimate holiday dessert.

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Classic Christmas Pudding Recipe (Steamed & Spiced)

There's no Christmas without a traditional Christmas pudding! This time-honored British dessert is rich, fruity, and perfectly spiced — steamed to perfection and often served flaming with brandy. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or a festive holiday feast, this Christmas pudding will be the showstopper of your table.

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📝 Ingredients:

For the pudding:

• 150g (1 cup) raisins
• 150g (1 cup) sultanas
• 100g (¾ cup) currants
• 100g (½ cup) chopped dried apricots
• 100g (½ cup) mixed peel
• 1 small apple, peeled and grated
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 100g (½ cup) dark brown sugar
• 100g (½ cup) suet or unsalted butter, grated
• 100g (¾ cup) plain flour
• 100g (1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 100ml (⅓ cup) brandy or dark rum
• 1 tbsp black treacle or molasses
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Soak the fruit (a day ahead):
In a large bowl, combine all dried fruits, orange and lemon zest. Pour in the brandy, cover, and let it soak overnight for maximum flavor.

2. Prepare the batter:
Add grated apple, brown sugar, suet/butter, flour, breadcrumbs, and all the spices to the soaked fruits. Stir well.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with treacle and vanilla. Mix into the fruit mixture until well combined.

3. Prepare the pudding basin:
Grease a 1.2-liter (1 quart) pudding basin. Spoon in the mixture and level the top. Cover with a layer of parchment paper and foil, creating a pleat to allow expansion. Tie securely with string.

4. Steam the pudding:
Place the basin in a large pot with a trivet. Add boiling water halfway up the basin’s side. Cover and steam gently for 6 hours, checking water levels occasionally.

5. Store and mature:
Cool completely. Replace the coverings with fresh parchment and foil. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 weeks. The longer it rests, the richer it becomes!

6. On Christmas Day:
Steam again for 2 hours before serving. Turn out onto a plate and drizzle with warm brandy. Ignite for the traditional flaming presentation!

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🎁 Serving Suggestions:

• Pair with brandy butter, vanilla custard, or clotted cream.
• Garnish with holly for a classic look.
• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a modern twist.

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📌 Tips for Best Results:

• Don’t skip the overnight soak — it’s key to flavor and moisture.
• Use quality dried fruits and fresh spices for the best taste.
• Make ahead of time to let the flavors develop beautifully.

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🎅 Why This Recipe Works

This traditional Christmas pudding is an authentic recipe that brings back nostalgic holiday memories. Steamed for hours, packed with dried fruits, and matured to perfection, it’s the ultimate festive dessert. Whether you're continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, this recipe is guaranteed to be a holiday hit!

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🎄 Similar Recipes to Christmas Pudding

1. Plum Pudding

A classic steamed dessert similar to Christmas pudding, packed with dried fruits, spices, and often a splash of brandy.

2. Fruitcake (Traditional)

A dense, rich holiday cake loaded with nuts, candied fruit, and warm spices — very close in flavor profile.

3. Sticky Toffee Pudding

A moist date-based British dessert, similar texture and holiday warmth.

4. Figgy Pudding

A traditional British steamed pudding with figs, spices, and molasses — perfect match for Christmas content.

5. Bread Pudding with Spices

Uses stale bread, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and custard. Not identical, but gives similar comforting holiday flavors.