Chocolate & apricot pud with glossy chocolate sauce

Chocolate & apricot pud with glossy chocolate sauce

Traditional Christmas pud is not universally popular, especially with children - this wonderfully moist chocolate version could be the answer

Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 6 - 8

Preparation and cooking times

Total time

Takes 30-40 minutes, plus 2½ hrs steaming

Freezable

You can freeze the pudding for up to two months

Method

  1. Butter a 1.2 litre/2 pint pudding basin and put a circle of greaseproof paper in the base. Put the apricots in a small pan and add the brandy. Bring slowly to the boil, then simmer, turning the apricots occasionally until all the brandy has soaked in. Leave until cool enough to handle.
  2. Tip the ground almonds into a bowl, then sift over the cocoa, flour and baking powder and mix everything together.
  3. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.Gradually beat in the eggs and milk.
  4. Chop half the apricots into small pieces. Chop the chocolate into large chunks. Lightly stir the flour mixture into the cake mix, followed by the apricots and chocolate.
  5. Put the remaining whole apricots into the bowl and spoon over the honey. Add the pudding mixture and smooth the top. Cover with double thickness buttered greaseproof paper and tie down. Trim off the excess paper, then overwrap in foil, tucking the ends under the edges of the paper.
  6. Put the basin into a large pan and pour boiling water into the pan, to come halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover and steam for 21⁄2 hours, until it feels firm. (The pudding can be made to this stage up to 2 days ahead. Reheat by steaming for 1 hour, or microwave on medium for 6-8 minutes.)
  7. Towards the end of the cooking time, make the sauce. Break up the chocolate and put in a small pan with the cream and brandy if using. Warm gently, stirring lightly until smooth and glossy.
  8. Cool the pudding in the bowl for 10 minutes, then turn out and serve with the chocolate sauce and cream or good vanilla ice cream.

Per serving for 8

665 kcalories, protein 9.0g, carbohydrate 58.0g, fat 44.0 g, saturated fat 23.0g, fibre 4.0g, sugar 36.0g, salt 0.74 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, December 2002.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • 27 November 2007

    valemount rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Made this for our first christmas in our own home. It is a fantastic alternative for those like me who hate all things christmas-fruity!

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  • 07 December 2007

    Izzylivy rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Have made this for the last 2 xmas & look forward to serving it again this year - everyone loves it! A great alternative to traditional xmas pud.

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  • 30 June 2009

    janet rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I have made this for my 2 boys as they do not like the traditional pudding, it is so rich but very good,have seen another chocolate pudding but it doesnt freeze so I think I will stick with this one again

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  • 13 December 2009

    damita rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I just made this, it looks and tastes good. It is my first xmas pudding ever so very excited about it. Good food is always dead on with the recipes.

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  • 14 November 2010

    Marieanne rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    First did this amazing alternative to a traditional christmas pud with children in mind, but it was such a success with the adults that I have made it every year for the last 8 years or so and it remains a favourite for both family and friends!

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Difficulty and servings

Moderately easy

Serves 6 - 8

Preparation and cooking times

Total time

Takes 30-40 minutes, plus 2½ hrs steaming

Freezable

You can freeze the pudding for up to two months

Ingredients

  • 200g ready-to-eat dried apricots
  • 4 tbsp brandy
  • 100g ground almonds
  • 25g cocoa powder
  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 100g softened butter
  • 140g light muscovado sugar
  • 2 large eggs , beaten
  • 4 tbsp milk
  • 100g dark chocolate
  • 2 tbsp clear honey

FOR THE SAUCE

  • 100g dark chocolate
  • 284ml carton double cream
  • 1-2 tbsp brandy (optional)
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Per serving for 8

665 kcalories, protein 9.0g, carbohydrate 58.0g, fat 44.0 g, saturated fat 23.0g, fibre 4.0g, sugar 36.0g, salt 0.74 g

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