Lighter Christmas Pudding.

Method

• step 1

  Soak the dried fruit, in a mixture of brandy and orange juice for a minimum of 1 month (I usually soak them for about 8 weeks). Shake and turn regularly. I soak the fruit for my Christmas cake at the same time.

• step 2

  Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time

• step 3

  In another bowl mix the flours, breadcrumbs and spices together. Add to the butter and egg mixture.

• step 4

  Stir in the soaked fruit. The mixture should be a dropping consistency.

• step 5

  Grease 2 x 1 litre pudding bowls and spoon in the mixture. Leave a gap of about 2cm to allow the mixture to expand during cooking.

• step 6

  Cover the bowls with foil and tie with string. Loop the string over to make a handle.

• step 7

  Steam the puddings in a large saucepan for about 2 hours. Cool the puddings and reheat when needed in the same pudding bowl for about 1 hour.