British Christmas Pudding is the quintessential holiday dessert, packed with warm spices, dried fruits, and a touch of brandy for that traditional festive flavor. This steamed pudding is rich, moist, and filled with a delightful medley of raisins, currants, and orange zest, which bring a tangy sweetness to every bite.
A holiday treat with a deep-rooted history, it’s traditionally made well in advance of Christmas, allowing the flavors to mature for an even richer taste.
For a fresh contrast to the pudding’s depth, try serving it with a Citrus Smoothie. The bright, zesty flavors in the smoothie add a refreshing balance to the pudding’s richness, making it a perfect pairing for your holiday spread.
Why You’ll Love British Christmas Pudding?
- Festive and Flavorful: The blend of spices, fruits, and brandy offers a true taste of Christmas.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert: This pudding only improves with time, making it an ideal dish to prepare in advance.
- Holiday Tradition: With a history dating back centuries, it brings a bit of British tradition to your table.
British Christmas Pudding
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Pudding basin or Pyrex bowl
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Greaseproof paper or parchment paper
- Aluminum foil
- String
- Steamer and saucepan
- Cooling rack
- Skewer or fork
Ingredients
- 1 pound 450 grams or 3 to 3 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit
- 25 grams scant 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit peel, finely chopped
- 1 small apple peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup brandy more as needed
- Softened unsalted butter for the bowl
- 55 grams 1/2 cup self-rising flour, sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
- 110 grams about 1 cup beef or vegetarian suet, shredded
- 110 grams scant 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 110 grams 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 25 grams 1/4 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Marinate Fruits: In a large bowl, mix dried fruit, candied peel, apple, orange and lemon zest, juices, and brandy. Cover and let marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Prepare Basin: Grease a pudding basin with butter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, suet, sugar, breadcrumbs, and almonds. Add the marinated fruits and mix well.
- Add Eggs: Lightly beat the eggs, then stir into the mixture for a soft consistency.
- Fill Basin: Spoon the mixture into the greased basin, pressing it down. Cover with greaseproof paper and foil, secure with string, and form a handle.
- Steam Pudding: Place in a steamer over simmering water and steam for 7 hours. Check the water level to maintain a simmer.
- Cool and Store: Remove pudding, cool on a rack, prick with a skewer, and drizzle with brandy. Cover with fresh paper and store in a cool place.
- Reheat and Serve: On Christmas Day, re-steam for 1 hour, slice, and serve with optional brandy sauce.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 318 kcal |
| Cholesterol | 40 g |
| Sodium | 146 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fibre | 4 g |
Variations You Will Love Trying!
1. Swap Brandy for Dark Rum or Port
For a unique twist, try replacing brandy with dark rum or port. Dark rum will bring a caramel-like richness, while port adds a hint of berry and spice, deepening the pudding’s flavor.
2. Add Crystallized Ginger
Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped crystallized ginger to the fruit mix. The ginger will add a delightful warmth and a hint of spice, which complements the orange and cinnamon.
3. Infuse with Chai or Earl Grey Tea
Soak the dried fruit in 1/4 cup of strongly brewed chai or Earl Grey tea along with the brandy. This adds subtle notes of tea spices or bergamot, lending a complex background flavor.
4. Mix in Dark Chocolate
For an extra indulgent touch, fold in 1/4 cup of finely chopped dark chocolate. The chocolate melts slightly while steaming, creating delicious pockets of richness that pair beautifully with the dried fruits.
5. Incorporate Nuts and Seeds
Add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans and a tablespoon of chia or poppy seeds for extra crunch and texture. These mix-ins bring a nutty richness and slight chewiness to balance the pudding’s soft texture.
6. Add Mincemeat or Marzipan
For added complexity, fold in 1/4 cup of classic mincemeat or a few small pieces of marzipan. Mincemeat brings more fruity depth, while marzipan adds subtle almond sweetness.
7. Drizzle with Maple Syrup
After steaming, brush the pudding with a tablespoon of warm maple syrup before re-steaming. The syrup creates a glossy, slightly sweet exterior and adds a subtle, caramelized touch.
Each of these variations keeps the essence of a traditional Christmas pudding while adding interesting and sophisticated flavors.