Simple Christmas Pudding Recipes

Steps:

• For the pudding, empty the first six cups and the nuts, if using, into a mixing bowl with the spices, then stir in the milk and egg. Once well combined, tip into a buttered 1.5 litre pudding bowl.
• Cover with a double layer of buttered foil, making a pleat in the centre to allow the pudding to rise. Tie the foil securely with string, then place in a steamer or large pan containing enough gently simmering water to come halfway up the sides of the bowl. Steam, covered with a lid, for 2½ hours. Check the water level during cooking, topping up if necessary. If you are preparing this pudding ahead, remove the foil, let it cool slightly, then wrap in cling film and then fresh foil. If you are serving it immediately, unwrap and invert onto a deep plate.
• For the sauce, put everything in a pan and bring slowly to the boil, stirring. Allow to bubble away for 2-3 minutes, still stirring, until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is pale caramel in colour and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat. Pour the sauce over the pudding and decorate with the whole mixed nuts.

Steps:

• Heavily butter a pudding mold.
• Dust lightly with flour.
• In large bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, Craisins, molasses, and melted butter.
• Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and add to mixture.
• Add apple cider and mix well.
• Sift together dry ingredients and add to mixture.
• Stir to combine.
• Place pudding mixture into mold.
• Top mold with heavily buttered aluminum foil and cover tightly.
• Bear in mind that pudding will expand some as it steams.
• Place mold on rack in a steamer or large pot.
• Add boiling water until the mold is 3/4 of the way submerged.
• Cover and steam for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.
• Pudding will be firm when done.
• Serve warm with a vanilla sauce or hard sauce.

Steps:

• The day before you want to steam the pudding: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the suet, brown sugar, sifted flour, breadcrumbs, allspice, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Gradually mix in the currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel, and almonds, followed by the apple and citrus zests. In a small bowl, whisk together the rum, barley wine, and stout, and then beat in the eggs. Pour this mixture over the dried fruit and nut mixture. Mix thoroughly. It should be somewhat loose; if it needs a little more liquid, add some stout. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
• The following day: Butter a 1-pint pudding mold and pack the pudding mixture into it. Cover with a double piece of parchment and a sheet of foil and tie securely with a string across the top to make a handle. Place the pudding mold in a covered steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water, and steam for 8 hours. Check the water level, adding boiling water as needed. When the pudding is finished, let it cool and then remove the papers and foil. Replace with fresh paper and make a new string for easier maneuvering. Set in a cool place away from light (under the bed works well).
• To reheat, set a saucepan with boiling water over medium heat and put a steamer on top. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, set the pudding in the steamer, cover, and let steam for 2 1/4 hours. Top up the water a bit if necessary.
• To serve, remove the pudding from the steamer and take off the wrapping. Slide a palette knife around the pudding, and then turn it out onto a warm plate. Garnish with a sprig of holly. To flambe the pudding, warm a ladleful of brandy over direct heat, and when it is hot, carefully light the brandy. Place the flaming ladle over the pudding, but do not pour until at the table. When you do slowly pour it over the pudding, sides and all, watch it flame! Serve with rum sauce if desired.
• This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and cinnamon; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in the raisins, walnuts and dates. , Spoon into a well-greased 2-qt. pudding mold or ovenproof bowl; cover tightly. Place on a rack in a deep pan; add 3 in. of hot water to pan. Bring to a gentle boil; cover and steam for 3 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, adding water to pan as needed. , Let stand for 20 minutes before unmolding. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine brown sugar and flour. Stir in water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. , Unmold pudding onto a serving plate; garnish with holly leaves and cranberries if desired. Serve warm with syrup.