The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and enjoy delicious festive treats. If you’re looking to impress your guests with a traditional Christmas dessert, look no further than this delightful Christmas Plum Pudding recipe.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup dried mixed fruit
– 1 cup pitted prunes
– 1 cup raisins
– 1 cup currants
– 1 cup chopped mixed nuts
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/2 tsp ground cloves
– 1/2 cup melted butter
– 1/2 cup milk
– 3 eggs
– Zest of 1 orange
– Zest of 1 lemon
– Brandy or rum for soaking (optional)
– Whipped cream or custard for serving
**Instructions:**
1. In a large bowl, combine the dried mixed fruit, prunes, raisins, currants, mixed nuts, breadcrumbs, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Mix well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, orange zest, and lemon zest. Pour this wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined. If desired, you can add a splash of brandy or rum to the mixture for extra flavor.
3. Grease a pudding basin with butter and place a circle of parchment paper at the base. Transfer the pudding mixture into the basin, pressing it down gently to fill any gaps. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
4. Cover the pudding basin with a double layer of parchment paper and secure it tightly with kitchen twine. Create a pleat in the paper to allow for expansion during steaming.
5. Place the pudding basin in a large pot and fill it with water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the basin. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer gently for 4-5 hours, adding more water as needed to maintain the water level.
6. Once cooked, carefully remove the pudding from the pot and let it cool slightly before turning it out onto a serving dish. You can serve the Christmas Plum Pudding warm with whipped cream or custard for a truly decadent dessert that will delight your guests.
Enjoy the rich flavors and nostalgic charm of this Christmas Plum Pudding recipe that is sure to become a beloved holiday tradition in your home. Happy baking and happy holidays!
