As the holidays approach, there’s nothing quite like the warm and comforting aroma of a traditional Irish Plum Pudding filling your home. This classic Christmas dessert has been enjoyed by generations and is the perfect sweet treat to share with family and friends. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or new to the kitchen, this recipe will guide you through creating a decadent and festive dish that will surely become a holiday tradition in your home.
**Traditional Irish Plum Pudding Recipe For Christmas**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup raisins
– 1 cup currants
– 1 cup chopped mixed peel
– 1 cup chopped dried apricots
– 1 cup chopped prunes
– 1 cup chopped almonds
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 cup flour
– 1 cup brown sugar
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/2 tsp ground cloves
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 cup melted butter
– 4 eggs, beaten
– 1 cup Guinness stout
– Zest of 1 lemon
– Zest of 1 orange
– Brandy or whiskey, for flambeing
**Instructions:**
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the raisins, currants, mixed peel, apricots, prunes, almonds, breadcrumbs, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, beaten eggs, Guinness stout, lemon zest, and orange zest.
3. Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring constantly until everything is well combined. The mixture should be moist but not too wet.
4. Once the pudding mixture is thoroughly mixed, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. After the resting period, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
6. Grease a 2-quart pudding basin or heatproof bowl with butter and pack the pudding mixture firmly into it, leaving some space at the top for the pudding to rise.
7. Cover the pudding basin with a double layer of parchment paper and aluminum foil, securing it with kitchen twine to create a tight seal.
8. Place the pudding basin in a deep roasting pan and fill the pan with hot water until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the basin.
9. Carefully transfer the roasting pan to the oven and bake the pudding for about 4 hours. Check the water level occasionally and top it up with more hot water if needed.
10. Once the pudding is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before turning it out onto a serving plate.
11. To serve, heat a small amount of brandy or whiskey in a saucepan until warm, then carefully ignite it with a long match. Pour the flaming liquid over the pudding for a spectacular presentation.
12. Slice the pudding and serve warm with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy this rich and indulgent Traditional Irish Plum Pudding with your loved ones this holiday season. The blend of dried fruits, warm spices, and boozy flare is sure to bring joy and festive cheer to your Christmas table. Happy cooking and happy holidays!
