22nd November 2023

A classic Christmas pudding recipe

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Christmas pudding. When you think of Christmas puddings, who doesn’t think of that dark brown igloo-shaped pudding that takes center stage on our Christmas tables, doused in brandy and with a lit match darting towards it… The excitement of the pudding going up in flames brings delight to everyone, young and old alike!

These days it is so easy to pop to the shops and pick up a Christmas pudding for a small fee. But the joy of making your own Christmas pudding stretches further than the compliments that you receive on Christmas day. It starts with the afternoon spent making the pudding itself, with a glass of mulled wine in hand and Christmas songs playing, long before anyone else has even thought of Christmas.

Stir-Up Sunday is coming up

On Stir-Up Sunday, families come together to mix the Christmas pudding. Each member of the family makes a wish whilst taking their turn to stir the mixture.

Traditionally the pudding should be stirred from east to west, in honour of the Magi (Wise Men) who came from the east to visit the baby Jesus.

Stir-Up Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday before Advent, which is Sunday 26th November this year.

So gather your ingredients and stir up our tried and tested version of the classic Christmas pudding.

Ingredients

115g of self-raising flour

110g of white breadcrumbs

110g of suet

250g of soft brown sugar

1/2 tsp ground mixed spice

1/4 tsp nutmeg, grated

1/4 tsp cinnamon

50g of nibbed almonds

90g of dates, stones removed

375g of raisins, sultanas & currants

25g of mixed peel

1 Bramley apple, peeled and grated

1 orange & 1 lemon, juiced and zested

3 eggs

75ml of rum

75ml of brandy

75ml of Guinness

100g of golden syrup

Method

To prepare the pudding mix, sift the flour into a bowl and combine with the breadcrumbs, suet, almonds, sugar and spices.

Remove the stones from the dates, chop the flesh and combine with the remaining fruits. Add to the flour mixture and mix well.

Whisk the eggs together and add to the pudding mixture with the rum, brandy, Guinness and golden syrup. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Leave the mix in the fridge for 1 week to develop its flavour. During this time, taste the mixture occasionally - more spices or alcohol can be added if required.

To cook the pudding, butter and flour a pudding basin, then fill it 3/4 of the way up the side with the mixture. Place a circle of parchment paper on top of the mixture, cover the basin with tin foil and seal tightly.

Place in a steamer and steam the pudding for 4 hours. Once cooked, allow to cool and store tightly wrapped in the fridge or a cool place until required. To reheat the puddings, return to the steamer and steam for a further 2 hours.

A classic Christmas pudding recipe