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Thursday 5 December 2013

Christmas Pudding

I know some of you will be hosting Christmas lunch or dinner having families members and friends get together.  There are so much to prepare for this special day, right?  

There are food and dishes that you can prepare ahead of time.  What dessert are you preparing for this day?  I know when you see this dessert that I have made, it might scared you off but nevertheless this type of dessert or cake is my all time favourite.  This type of mixed fruits cake if very well done, it can be kept for very long; in months and can be year too.



Mixed Fruits & Dates Christmas Pudding
Recipe sourced from The Kitchen Finesse with changes

Ingredients
250g flour
200g cane sugar (I used only 160g light brown sugar)
250ml water (I used only 200ml)
120g butter
2 eggs
400g mixed dried fruits
100g dates, chopped small
1/3 cup cognac 
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
a pinch of ground nutmeg

Method
Combine dried fruits in a bowl and macerated with cognac overnight.

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and cook until sugar dissolves. Place in butter to melt and cool to room temperature. Sieve together flour,  spices, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Stir in butter mixture and eggs then add soaked fruit mixture.  

Brush a 2 liter capacity pudding bowl with butter, line the base with a circle of baking paper and dust with flour. Pour pudding mixture into bowl.
Cover with a layer of  greased proof paper followed by foil. Place pudding into a large saucepan with a wire rack or a plate lining the base. Fill with enough water to come halfway up the side of the bowl. Cover and simmer for 4.5 hours, topping up water when necessary. 

 




 Serve this with your favourite whipped cream or vanilla custard as suggested by



 I am submitting this to the "Baby Sumo's Christmas Recipes Collection 2013" event which is hosted by Baby Sumo of Eat Your Heart Out.







26 comments:

  1. I have tried something similar but it is baked. That recipe requires the fruits to be boiled with the water first. Your pudding looks so neat with the fruits so evenly distributed!

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  2. Oh my.. the fruit pudding looks gorgeous! And you're my hero for withstanding the 4.5 hours steaming! ^^ you really are getting me into the mood for Christmas! I finally macerated my dried fruits in rum last night.. cant wait to make me some fruit cake soonest! ^^

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  3. Hi Mel, you have put me in the festive mood now by looking at your beautiful Christmas pudding. So beautiful! The thought of steaming the pudding for more than 4 hours really put me off. Well done Mel!

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  4. wow..nicely baked cake for Christmas~
    Merry Xmas ya

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  5. what a lovely spicy steamed fruitcake ♡。゚.(*♡´‿` 人´‿` ♡*)゚♡ °・

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  6. Another lovely christmas treat, it's putting me in xmas mood already!

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  7. Mel, that's a great looking pudding, very well done!

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  8. this looks hard to make. it turned out lovely!

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  9. It looks fantastic and I love your cake stand. So pretty! Thanks for linking ;)

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  10. This Christmas pudding is so beautifully made!

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  11. you are really getting me into christmas mood.....!

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  12. Mel, your christmas pudding looks pretty and delicious! I love your cake stand too :)

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  13. Mel, your Christmas pudding is so full of fruits and so yummy!

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  14. So festive and I love it! When it comes to pudding, I only knows those wet (?) pudding... I would love to try this! I'm new to Christmas pudding. :)

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  15. believe it or not i never had christmas pudding before?! Going to try this - yours look absolutely beautiful - I particularly like the first picture with the red potted plant at the back!

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  16. Your Christmas pudding looks wonderful! It definitely spells out Christmas!

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  17. Hi Mel,

    I like Christmas pudding that is well-aged too. The flavors develop extremely well with time... I guess I'm a little too late now to make any Christmas pudding - sign! Good that I can feast yours with my eyes! :p

    Zoe

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  18. Hi Mel, your pudding looks splendid! Wow I don't think I will have the patience to steam for 4.5 hours! How will you keep it in order for it to last for months? Thank you for joining me in Aspiring Bakers!

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  19. I love Xmas pudding with warm custard...this looks sensational, Mel. I'd go to your house for Xmas anytime! Just send me an invite :p
    Merry Xmas!

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  20. Hi Mel,

    I'm here again to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy 2014!!! Cheers!

    Zoe

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  21. Mel , that is one AWESOME Christmas pudding ! So pretty and very inviting :D

    Wishing you and your family Happy Holidays !

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  22. Hey Mel! Just dropping by to wish you and your loved ones Happy New Year! Cheers to an amazing year ahead!

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  23. Hi Mel,

    Wishing you and your loved ones a great 2014 ahead! Cheers!

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  24. Hi Mel,

    After reading Lena's Kumquat tart post, I laughed and I like to tell you that Kumquat do remind me of you too :D

    Cheers!

    Zoe

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