This tradition dates back to the Victorian times and families would often add silver coins to the mixture
Preparation: 1 Hour
Serves: 8-10
Cook 6 Hours (plus 2-3 hours on Christmas Day)
Ingredients:
- 90g (3oz) self-raising flour
- 125g (4oz) shredded vegetable suet or grated chilled butter
- 30g (1oz) blanched almonds, shredded
- 125g (4oz) carrot, grated
- 250g (8 oz) raisins
- currants – 125g
- sultanas – 125g
- 125g fresh breadcrumbs
- ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
- 60g mixed candied peel, chopped
- 90g light muscovado sugar
- grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 eggs, beaten
- butter for greasing
- 75ml dark rum or brandy
- brandy butter, to serve
- You will also need a 1.25litre pudding bowl
Method: In a large bowl, combine the flour, suet or butter, almonds, carrot, raisins, currants, sultanas, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, candied peel, sugar and lemon zest. Add the lemon juice and eggs and stir until well combined.
Lightly butter the pudding bowl. Spoon in the pudding mixture and level the surface.
Cover with buttered greaseproof paper then foil, both pleated in the middle. Secure the paper and foil in place by tying string under the rim of the bowl.
Put the bowl into a steamer or saucepan of simmering water, making sure the water comes halfway up the side of the bowl. Cover and steam, topping up with boiling water as needed, for about 6 hours.
Remove the bowl from the steamer or pan and leave to cool. Remove the paper and foil covering. Make a few holes in the pudding with a fine skewer and pour in the rum or brandy.
Cover the pudding with fresh greaseproof paper and foil. Store in a cool place for up to 3 months.
To reheat for serving, steam the pudding for 2-3 hours. Serve at once with brandy butter.
Product Tips:
1.) Keep your pudding fresh longer. Store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to a year. If you want to feed the pudding with more rum, unwrap and poke holes with a cocktail stick or skewer and drizzle about a tablespoon over the top and rewrap.
https://www.christmaselves.com.au/christmas-pudding-cloth-60cm/
2.) The Traditional Christmas Holly Picks are perfect for decorating from Cakes to Christmas presents. They are available in 2 sizes - Long Stem with Small Leaf | Short Stem with Large Leaf.
https://www.christmaselves.com.au/christmas-holly-cake-picks-10cm/
3.) Complete the look amongst your Christmas setting with this gorgeous puddling candle.
https://www.christmaselves.com.au/night-before-christmas-bauble-filled-candle/
