Christmas pudding is a traditional dessert enjoyed during the holiday season, dating back to medieval England as “plum pudding.” The rich and fruity pudding is made with a variety of dried fruits, spices, flour, suet, and breadcrumbs. The Victorian era popularized the dessert, which was initially boiled in water in a cloth. The recipe includes ingredients like raisins, currants, candied peel, almonds, and brandy. Making the pudding involves combining ingredients, steaming for 6 hours, cooling, and reheating for 2 hours before serving. Continuing the tradition of enjoying Christmas pudding with loved ones during the holiday season is a delicious way to celebrate.

A Taste of Tradition: The History of Christmas Pudding

Introduction

Christmas pudding is a traditional dessert that has been enjoyed for centuries during the holiday season. This rich, fruity pudding is a staple at Christmas dinners in many households, often being served with a dollop of brandy sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The History of Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudding dates back to medieval England where it was known as “plum pudding” due to its primary ingredient, dried plums. Over time, the recipe evolved to include a variety of dried fruits, spices, suet, flour, and breadcrumbs. It became a popular dessert during the Victorian era when it was initially cooked in a cloth and boiled in water, creating a dense, moist pudding.

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup currants
• 1 cup sultanas
• 1/2 cup chopped candied peel
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 cup suet
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup brandy

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel, almonds, breadcrumbs, flour, brown sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and suet.
2. Add the beaten eggs and brandy to the mixture and stir until well combined.
3. Grease a pudding basin and spoon the mixture into it, packing it down firmly.
4. Cover the pudding basin with a layer of parchment paper and a layer of foil, securing it with kitchen twine.
5. Place the pudding basin in a large pot of boiling water, ensuring the water reaches halfway up the sides of the basin.
6. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the pudding for 6 hours, adding more water as needed.
7. Once the pudding is steamed, remove it from the pot and let it cool completely.
8. To serve, reheat the pudding by steaming it for an additional 2 hours. Carefully turn the pudding out onto a plate and flambe with brandy before serving.

Conclusion

Christmas pudding is a delicious and time-honored dessert that has been enjoyed by generations of families. By following this traditional recipe, you can create a pudding that is sure to impress your loved ones this holiday season. So why not continue the tradition and indulge in a slice of Christmas pudding this year?