Rich Christmas Pudding

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Shop-bought single or two-portion Christmas puddings tend to be rather dry and dull. Making your own version gives you the opportunity to add your favourite dried fruits and alcohol to make a unique pudding.

Serves 2

175 g/6 oz/1 cup luxury dried mixed fruit (fruit cake mix)
30 ml/2 tbsp sherry, brandy, rum or an orange liqueur
50 g/2 oz/¼ cup butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
50 g/2 oz/¼ cup dark muscovado sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
25 g/1 oz chopped nuts such as almonds (or add extra fruit if you prefer)
25 g/1 oz/¼ cup self-raising flour
1.5 ml/¼ tsp mixed (apple-pie) spice
1.5 ml/¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1.5 ml/¼ tsp ground ginger
25 g/1 oz/½ cup fresh white breadcrumbs


  1. Put the dried fruit and alcohol in a bowl, stir and leave to soak while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Place an upturned saucer or a metal pastry (paste) cutter in the base of the ceramic cooking pot. Pour in about 5 cm/2 in of hot (not boiling) water, then turn on the slow cooker to Auto. Grease a 750 ml/1¼ pint/3 cup pudding basin.
  3. Beat together the butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs, fruit and nuts. Sift the flour and spices over, then stir into the egg mixture with the breadcrumbs.
  4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared basin and smooth the top. Cover with a double thickness of greaseproof (waxed) paper, pleated in the middle to allow the pudding to expand. Cover with a sheet of foil and tie with string.
  5. Place the basin on top of the saucer or pastry cutter in the pot, then pour in enough boiling water to come two-thirds up the side of the basin. Cover with the lid and cook for 4 hours.
  6. Remove from the pan, leave until cold, then store in a cool, dry place for at least 2 weeks and up to 3 months.
  7. Reheat as before in the slow cooker for 1 hour and serve half with custard, brandy sauce or rum butter. Leave the other portion to cool, cover and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.


Second serving
Reheat the second portion for about 2 minutes on High in the microwave.


Cook's tip
'Luxury' dried mixed fruit contains a mixture of sultanas (golden raisins), currants and raisins as well as chopped dried apricots, pineapple, cherries and citrus peel.