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Quick Christmas Pudding

(recipe, Le Cordon Bleu)

Introduction

The traditional finale to an English Christmas feast, this fruit-filled pudding is ready to eat in less than an hour and can be prepared well in advance.

Ingredients

  1. ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  2. 3 oz. suet, grated
  3. 2 tsp. pumpkin-pie spice
  4. ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
  5. ½ cup fresh white breadcrumbs
  6. ½ cup light brown sugar
  7. ⅓ cup ground almonds
  8. 1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
  9. Zest of 1 lemon
  10. Zest of 1 orange
  11. ⅓ cup chopped mixed candied citrus peel
  12. ¼ cup candied cherries
  13. ⅔ cup currants
  14. ¾ cup raisins
  15. 1½ cups golden raisins
  16. 3 Tbsp. golden syrup or dark corn syrup
  17. 1 Tbsp. molasses
  18. ⅓ cup brandy
  19. ½ cup milk
  20. 2 eggs

Steps

  1. Brush a 6-cup nonmetallic microwavable pudding basin, preferably with a top, with melted butter. Cut a circle of waxed paper to fit the bottom and another to fit the top. Place the smaller circle in the bottom.
  2. In a bowl, place the flour, suet, spices, breadcrumbs, sugar, almonds, and a pinch of salt. Mix with a wooden spoon, then stir in the apples, and lemon and orange zest. Add the candied peel, candied cherries, currants, raisins, and golden raisins, and stir again to mix in.
  3. Place the syrup and molasses in a nonmetallic microwavable bowl and microwave (based on a 700-800 watt microwave) on low for 30 seconds, or until fluid but not hot. Stir in the brandy, then whisk in the milk and eggs with a fork until smooth. Drizzle the syrup mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the pudding basin, top with the large circle of waxed paper and cover with the lid or plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes. Microwave on high for another 5 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes. Cool, then store until required.
  5. To serve, remove the top from the basin, sprinkle the surface of the pudding with a tablespoon of water, then cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 4 minutes, let rest for 5 minutes, then microwave on high for another 3 minutes. Rest for 3 minutes before unmolding onto a plate. Serve with whipping cream, Whiskey Sauce, or Brandy Butter.