Traditional Christmas Pudding Recipe

Name: Traditional Christmas Pudding
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 110 g shredded suet; 50 g self-raising flour, sifted; 110 g white breadcrumbs; 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated; 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 225 g brown sugar; 110 g sultanas; 110 g raisins; 275 g currants; 25 g mixed candied peel, finely chopped; 25 g almonds, skinned and chopped; 1 small cooking apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped; 2 teaspoons orange zest; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 2 eggs; 150 ml stout beer (Guinness); 2 tablespoons rum or 2 tablespoons brandy

Servings: persons

110 g shredded suet
50 g self-raising flour, sifted
110 g white breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
225 g brown sugar
110 g sultanas
110 g raisins
275 g currants
25 g mixed candied peel, finely chopped
25 g almonds, skinned and chopped
1 small cooking apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
2 teaspoons orange zest
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 eggs
150 ml stout beer (Guinness)
2 tablespoons rum or 2 tablespoons brandy

1
DAY 1 -- Take your largest, roomiest mixing bowl and start by putting in the suet, sifted flour, breadcrumbs, spices and sugar. Mix these ingredients thoroughly after each addition.
2
Gradually mix in all the dried fruits, mixed peel, nuts, apple, and both zests, again, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
3
In a small bowl, beat the eggs, then add the stout and rum and beat together. Pour this over the ingredients in the large bowl and begin to mix very thoroughly. It was traditional to gather all the family around, especially the children, and invite everyone to have a really good stir and make a wish!
4
The mixture should have a fairly sloppy consistency - it should fall instantly from the spoon when tapped on the side of the bowl. If you think it needs more liquid, add a spot more stout or rum. Cover the bowl and leave overnight in a cool place (not the fridge).
5
DAY 2 -- Pack the mixture into the lightly greased basin, cover it with a double sheet of greaseproof paper and a sheet of foil and tie it securely with string. It's also a good idea to tie a piece of string across the top to make a handle.
6
Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water and steam the pudding for 8 hours. Do make sure you keep an eye on the water underneath and top of with boiling water from the kettle from time to time.
7
When the pudding is done steaming, let it get quite cold, then remove the steam papers and foil and replace with some fresh ones, again making a handle.
8
Store in a cool place until Christmas Day.
9
CHRISTMAS DAY -- Steam again in the same manner as above, again checking the water level, for 2 1/2 hours.
10
Serve warm with a whipped cream or rum sauce.

486

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 18 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 110 g shredded suet, 50 g self-raising flour, sifted, 110 g white breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice, and more.

Yes, Traditional Christmas Pudding falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Traditional Christmas Pudding

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions