This deliciously Christmas pudding is packed with sultanas, raisins, currants, dried figs, and alcohol to bring on the festive cheers! Serve warm with brandy sauce or vegan ice cream.
Makes: 12-14 servings Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 8 hours
Course: Dessert, Snack, Christmas feast
Cuisine: International, Christmas, Festive
Author: Healthy Asian Cuisine
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 250ml/1 cup stout (any brand)
- 60ml/ ¼ cup brandy
- 225/8oz breadcrumbs, about 5 slices wholemeal bread
- 100g/3.5oz coconut sugar
- 100g/3.5oz dark soft brown sugar
- 115g/4oz sultanas
- 115g/4oz raisins
- 115g/4oz currants
- 115g/4oz dried figs
- 60g/2oz self-raising flour
- 60g/2oz organic wholemeal flour
- 60g/2oz flaked almonds
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 large eating apple, grated
- Dairy-free margarine for greasing the bowl
Method
STEP 1 – Preparing the Pudding Ingredients
- Roughly chop or quarter the figs and set them aside.
- Roughly break 225/8oz of healthy wholemeal bread and finely chop them in a food processor.
- Gather and measure all other ingredients and set them aside.
Step 2 – Preparing the Pudding Mixture
Place breadcrumbs, sugars, sultanas, raisins, currants, chopped dried figs, almond flakes, citrus zest, grated apple, flour, spices and the liquids into a large bowl. Stir all together very thoroughly. If the mixture seems a bit too wet add some flour. Cover and keep in the refrigerator overnight.
Step 3 – Steaming the Pudding
- The next day, cut a piece of parchment paper into a 4 ½ inches (11cm) circle.
- Grease a 2-litre pudding basin with dairy-free margarine, and then line the base with the cut circular baking parchment.
- Fill the pudding basin with the mixture and level out the pudding mixture evenly in the basin then cover with 2 layers of parchment paper and aluminium foil sheet, tie with string and trim.
- Place an upturned steamer tray, saucers or a steamer rack in the bottom of a large pot. Fill the pot with 3 litres/1gal *water. Carefully lower the pudding basin to stand on the steamer tray. Bring the water in the pot to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, and cover with a lid and *cloth.
- Simmer the pudding for 8 hours, check occasionally to see if the water has boiled away and topped up more if necessary.
*Note: The water shouldn’t touch the foil or it may seep into the pudding.
*Note: The cloth is used to prevent heat from escaping the pot. It is not essential to cover the pot with a cloth if your pot has a tight-fitting lid.
Step 4 – Serving the pudding
- When the pudding is cooked, carefully lift it out of the pan and allow it to cool completely before removing the parchment paper and foil. The pudding will keep in a cool, dry cupboard for up to a year.
- When ready to eat, steam the pudding in boiling water for 1 hour. Alternatively, you can microwave the pudding on full power (800w) for 3 minutes; leave it to stand for 2 minutes. Put a plate on top of the pudding basin, carefully invert the pudding and serve.
- Another way to enjoy is to fry a sliced pudding in a non-stick frying pan until both sides become brown.
- Serve pudding warm with vegan brandy sauce or vegan ice cream.
Notes
- Christmas pudding can be made in advance, for example, 6 months ahead of time. The alcohol is what preserves the pudding and it even tastes better with age. Before storing the pudding, allow it to cool completely, then remove the baking paper and foil. Re-cover with clean foil and store in a cool dry place until needed. Store the pudding in a cool, dark dry place like the cupboard, kitchen cabinet or even under your bed (the famous chef, Delia Smith’s way). If you like your pudding to have a stronger alcohol taste and moister, while storing, open the wrapping and drop a tablespoon of brandy 4 or 5 times throughout storing. Re-cover the with fresh paper and foil and return to the cool, dark place.
- To cut a circle out of parchment paper. You can use a bowl or cup that is about 4/½ inches in diameter as a template to draw the circle. A quicker way to cut out the circle is by folding the circle in half then cutting with a scissor.
- Dairy-free
- Egg-free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Fat-Free
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