Harrod's Christmas Pudding
Submitted by Joycita
This traditional British Christmas pudding steams for hours with brandy-soaked fruits, warm spices, and breadcrumbs, then blazes to the table in flaming glory.
YIELD
16 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
5 hrsREADY
5½ hrsStraight from Harrods comes this authentic Christmas plum pudding that’s steeped in British tradition. The pudding steams for 5 hours, then matures in the refrigerator before a final 3-hour steam on Christmas Day. Bring it to the table flaming with ignited brandy and crowned with holly for maximum dramatic effect.
Pro Tips
- Make this weeks ahead (it actually improves with age as flavors meld)
- Secure the covering tightly with string to prevent water from seeping in during steaming
- Keep water at a steady simmer and check often to prevent the pan from boiling dry
- Warm the brandy before igniting for easier flaming at the table
Ingredients
Directions
---JUST BEFORE SERVING--- Garnish with holly Ignite with brandy Thickly butter and dust with flour two 1-quart molds (or dome-shaped china, ceramic or glass bowls). Set aside. Beat the ½ pound of butter until soft. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and syrup. Sift flour with salt and spices; fold into the butter mixture with the lemon juice, grated rinds, bread crumbs, fruits, mixed peel and brandy. Spoon mixture into the 2 prepared molds. If molds don’t have lids, cover each with a circle of waxed paper, then a piece of foil pleated across the center and securely tied in place. Leave overnight in refrigerator. Put molds in a large saucepan with enough water to come halfway up the sides of the molds. Cover and steam for 5 hours; remove from the water. Let cool completely, then cover with a clean piece of waxed paper and a pudding cloth (muslin or closely woven cheesecloth) secured with a string and ends of the cloth tied in a knot over the pudding mold. Leave in the refrigerator to mature before using. Before serving, steam about 3 hours. Remove from mold. Bring to the table blazing in ‘ignited brandy, and with Christmas holly stuck into the top!
Comments
Sounds great, but I can't find currants so I am adding chopped almonds.
Merry Christmas 2011!
Being English, Christmas Pudding is always a big part of Christmas, and this is a great recipe! I can never find currants here, so I replace those with chopped dates but otherwise I follow the recipe exactly. Delicious served with whipped cream.