Christmas Plum Pudding
A rich and traditional Christmas plum pudding packed with dried fruits, spices, and nutmeats. Its moist texture and festive flavors make it perfect for holiday celebrations, enjoyed steamed to perfection and often served with brandy sauce or cream for a warming, indulgent treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups seedless raisins ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups currants ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped nutmeats ⓘ
- 1 cup sifted flour ⓘ
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup molasses ⓘ
- 3/4 cup buttermilk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup finely chopped suet ⓘ
- 1/4 cup fruit juice ⓘ
- 1 cup fine bread crumbs ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine raisins, currants, nutmeats, and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix eggs, molasses, buttermilk, suet, and fruit juice.
- Combine the remaining flour, bread crumbs, soda, spices, and salt in another bowl.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the batter into a 1 1/2-quart mold.
- Cover the mold securely with a lid or foil.
- Set the mold in a deep kettle and add water until it reaches 1 inch below the cover of the mold.
- Steam the pudding for 2 hours, maintaining a gentle simmer.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using a mix of dried fruits like apricots or prunes instead of just raisins and currants. If you're looking for a substitute for suet, you can use cold butter or vegetable shortening. Make sure to steam the pudding gently to prevent it from becoming tough, and check the water level regularly during cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of the Christmas Plum Pudding warm, drizzled with a rich sauce such as brandy butter or vanilla custard. It pairs beautifully with English Cheese Melts for a delightful contrast. Garnish with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, steam the pudding again for about 30-40 minutes or microwave individual slices in short intervals until warmed through. This helps retain moisture and flavor.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Plum Pudding contains roughly 862 calories, with 9g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (51% of the Daily Value), iron (38% of the Daily Value), and calcium (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 504mg per serving (22% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pudding in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pudding ahead of time. After steaming, let it cool, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. It can be stored for up to a month. Reheat by steaming before serving.
Can I use different spices?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste. You can add ginger for a spicier flavor or replace some of the cinnamon with cardamom for a unique twist. Just keep the overall balance in mind.
What can I serve with the pudding?
Try pairing it with a delicious homemade custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a festive touch, serve it alongside fruit pops for a refreshing contrast to the rich pudding.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).