The Plum Pudding Recipe So-named because it contains prunes, this is a classic Christmas dish, here using butter instead of the traditional beef suet.
Ingredients:
1⁄2 cup (3oz) raisins
1⁄2 cup (2oz) currants
2⁄3 cup (4oz) golden raisins
1⁄4 cup (2oz) mixed citrus peel, chopped
1 cup (4oz) mixed dried fruit, such as figs, dates, and cherries, chopped
2⁄3 cup beer
1 tbsp whisky or brandy
finely grated zest and juice of 1 orange
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1⁄2 cup (3oz) pitted prunes, chopped
2⁄3 cup cold black tea
1 apple, grated
8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted,
plus extra for greasing
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 tbsp unsulfured light molasses
2 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1⁄2 tsp baking powder
1⁄4 tsp salt
1 cup (4oz) fresh white bread crumbs
1⁄3 cup (2oz) chopped almonds
Method:
1 Put the first 9 ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. Put the prunes in a small bowl and pour in the tea. Cover the bowls, then leave to soak overnight.
2 Drain the prunes and discard any remaining tea. Add the prunes and the apple to the rest of the fruit, followed by the butter, sugar, molasses, and eggs. Stir well.
3 Sift in the flour with the pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt, then stir the bread crumbs and almonds into the mixture. Mix together well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
4 Grease the pudding bowl and pour in the mixture. Cover with 2 layers of parchment paper and 1 layer of foil. Tie the layers to the bowl with string, then put the bowl on a rack in a large deep pan of simmering water that comes at least halfway up the side. Cover tightly and steam for 8–10 hours.
5 Check regularly to make sure that the water level does not drop too low. Serve with brandy butter, cream, or custard. STORE If well sealed, the pudding will keep
for up to 1 year in a cool place.
BAKER’S TIP:
When steaming a pudding for an extended time, it is very important that the water level in the pan should not drop too low. There are a couple of easy ways to avoid this. Either set a timer every hour, to remind you to check the water level, or put a marble in the pan so it rattles when the water level drops.
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| Plum Pudding Recipe |