Mr D's Christmas Pudding
- Preparation and cooking time
- Total time
- 24 to soak the fruit
- Easy
- Serves 18
Ingredients
- 700g mixed fruit
- 150g mixed peel
- 100g glacé cherries , halved
- 200ml brandy
- 2 grated apples
- 2 oranges, juice and zest
- 6 large eggs
- 250g shredded suet
- 250g fresh white breadcrumbs
- 350g light muscovado sugar
- 175g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp mixed spice
butter , for greasing
- butter , for greasing
Method
- STEP 1Soak the mixed fruit, peel & glacé cherries in the brandy over night. Stir a few times to ensure all the fruit soaks up some brandy.
- STEP 2In a large bowl mix together the dry ingredients, eggs, suet, apple and orange juice & zest. Then mix in the soaked fruit.
- STEP 3Add the mix to buttered bowls then cover with foil or baking paper.
- STEP 4Stand the puddings in a deep, large pan (or 2 if that's easier) on trivets or upturned saucers and pour boiling water around so it comes about a third of the way up. Cover the pan and steam the puddings for 5 hrs, topping up with more boiling water when necessary.
- STEP 5once cool cover the bowls with a lid or cling film and store in a cool, dry place, For at least a month if possible . Feed the puddings with more brandy in the run up to Christmas by drizzling it over the top.
- STEP 6To reheat steam for an hour or, if you really must, microwave as necessary. Adding flaming hot brandy is up to you but keep a fire extinguish close to hand.