Christmas Pudding(Plum Pudding)
A rich, traditional Christmas pudding full of dried fruits, spices, and nuts, perfect for festive gatherings and served with whipped cream or custard for a warm holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 1 c. self-rising flour ⓘ
- 1 tsp. allspice ⓘ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 8 oz. suet or chilled butter, cut up ⓘ
- 2 c. fresh white bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1 1/4 c. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 c. shredded carrots ⓘ
- 1 c. shredded apples ⓘ
- 2 c. dark raisins ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. golden raisins ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. currants ⓘ
- 2/3 c. mixed candied peel ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped almonds ⓘ
- 1 tsp. grated orange peel ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel ⓘ
- 4 large eggs, beaten ⓘ
- 1/4 c. molasses ⓘ
- 3/4 c. brandy or apple cider
Instructions
- Sift flour and spices together into a large mixing bowl.
- Add suet or chilled butter, bread crumbs, brown sugar, shredded carrots, shredded apples, dark raisins, golden raisins, currants, candied peel, chopped walnuts, chopped almonds, grated orange peel, and grated lemon peel. Stir until well combined.
- Stir in the beaten eggs, then simmer the molasses, brandy or apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice, and stir into the mixture until well combined.
- Divide the mixture into 2 ovenproof bowls, with lids or covered with a double layer of buttered wax paper and foil.
- Tie a string around the edge of each bowl to secure the cover.
- Place the bowls inside a large pan and pour boiling water in to reach three-quarters up the sides of each mold.
- Cover and steam over medium heat for 5 hours.
- Store in a cool place, covered. Do not freeze.
- To reheat, steam the puddings for two hours before serving.
- Serve with whipped cream or English custard.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter pudding, you can substitute half of the suet or butter with applesauce. If you don't have self-rising flour, combine all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder for each cup used. To enhance the flavor, consider soaking the dried fruits in brandy or apple cider overnight before mixing them in.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Christmas pudding warm, drizzled with brandy or apple cider, and a dollop of whipped cream or English custard for a festive touch. It pairs beautifully with Wedding Cake Frosting to add a sweet contrast. Consider serving alongside a spiced tea or mulled wine for a cozy holiday experience.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, the Christmas pudding should be stored in a cool, dark place, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent drying out. It can be kept for several weeks. To reheat, steam the pudding for about two hours before serving to ensure it’s warmed through and moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Pudding(Plum Pudding) contains roughly 3691 calories, with 65g protein, 397g carbohydrates, and 223g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (192% of the Daily Value), protein (130% of the Daily Value), and iron (130% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1062mg per serving (46% 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, Christmas pudding is traditionally made weeks in advance to allow the flavors to develop. After steaming, simply store it in a cool place and reheat it by steaming it again for about two hours before serving.
What can I use instead of suet?
If you want a vegetarian option, you can use chilled butter, vegetable shortening, or even coconut oil in place of suet. Each will provide a different flavor and texture but will still yield a delicious pudding.
Can I substitute the dried fruits?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix and match dried fruits based on your preference. Dried figs, cranberries, or apricots can be excellent substitutes for the raisins and currants, adding unique flavors and textures to your 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).