Christmas pudding is more than just a dessert, it is a tradition that brings warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of celebration to the holiday table. Rich, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this classic dish has been a centerpiece of Christmas feasts for generations, symbolizing togetherness and the joy of sharing something special with loved ones.
The best Christmas pudding starts with quality ingredients and patience. Dried fruits like raisins, currants, and sultanas form the heart of the pudding, soaking up flavors and creating its signature dense texture. These fruits are often mixed with candied lemon peel, chopped nuts, warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and a touch of citrus zest for brightness. What truly sets a great pudding apart is the careful balance of sweetness and spice, where no single flavor overpowers the others.
Traditionally, Christmas pudding is enriched with suet or butter, breadcrumbs, and eggs, giving it structure and richness. A generous splash of dark rum, brandy, or stout adds depth and complexity, while also helping the pudding mature beautifully over time. Many families prepare their pudding weeks in advance, allowing the flavors to develop slowly and intensify as Christmas approaches. This process turns the pudding into something truly special, infused with anticipation and care.
Cooking the pudding is an act of patience in itself. Slow steaming ensures a moist, tender result and allows all the ingredients to meld into one harmonious whole. Once cooked, the pudding is left to rest, then reheated on Christmas Day, filling the kitchen with a comforting aroma that instantly signals the holidays have arrived.
Serving Christmas pudding is often a moment of ceremony. Warmed through and turned out onto a plate, it is traditionally drizzled with brandy and carefully set alight, creating a brief but magical flame. Finished with a dollop of brandy butter, custard, or lightly whipped cream, each bite is rich, festive, and deeply satisfying.
The best Christmas pudding is not just about taste, it is about tradition, time, and the memories created around the table. It is a dessert that tells a story, one spoonful at a time.
Ingredients
- 200 g raisins preferably a mix of light and dark
- 200 g currants
- 100 g sultanas
- 100 g mixed peel
- 50 g glace cherries chopped
- 150 g suet shredded
- 150 g breadcrumbs
- 100 g brown sugar dark
- 75 g plain flour sifted
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon ground
- 1 tsp nutmeg freshly grated
- 1 zest of lemon finely grated
- 1 zest of orange finely grated
- 2 eggs large
- 2 tbsp brandy or rum
- 200 ml stout
- 50 ml milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the raisins, currants, sultanas, mixed peel, and chopped glace cherries.
- Add the shredded suet, breadcrumbs, brown sugar, sifted flour, mixed spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, and orange zest. Stir well to combine.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and add the brandy, stout, and milk. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Stir thoroughly to mix all the ingredients together, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Spoon the mixture into a well-greased pudding basin, pressing it down firmly. Cover with a double layer of parchment paper and a layer of foil, securing with kitchen string.
- Steam the pudding for about 6 hours, checking the water level occasionally and topping up with boiling water as needed.
- Once steamed, allow the pudding to cool before storing in a cool, dry place. To serve, steam again for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter or cream.
Nutrition
How do you steam this thing? I ended up with a watery mess. The recipe needs to be clearer!
This was a hit at our Christmas dinner! Perfect blend of flavors and the brandy adds a nice kick. Will be making it every year!
Absolutely disgusting!!! My kids wouldn’t even eat it. It sat in the fridge forever. Wont try again!
Made this but i used whiskey instead of brandy, its was still good, just different. Not sure about the 6 hours of steaming tho!
Yumm! I’m a pudding lover and this one is just perfect! Steaming it makes all the difference.
nah, not for me… I prefer pie! But for pudding lovers, I’m sure this is great.
I get it! Pudding isn’t for everyone. But you should try this one; it’s the best! Trust me!
Seriously? You put suet in pudding? That’s not even healthy! Who cooks like this anymore?
Delicious! I added some chopped nuts, and everyone loved it. Perfect for the holidays. Thank you!
I’m glad you loved it! Adding nuts sounds like a great idea. Happy holidays!
Nuts? I thought Christmas pudding was supposed to be all about the fruits. Not sure about that.
I’ve never heard of steaming a pudding before. Is that really necessary? Sounds complicated.
I dont get why people like pudding so much? This one was just ok for me. Too many raisins!
Meh, I’m not a fan of fruit in my desserts. I’ll pass, thanks.
That’s the best part! The fruits give it such a unique flavor. You might wanna give it a try, though. 😜
Too many ingredients! Why can’t they keep it simple? Just flour and water would be fine. 🤷♂️
But that’s the whole point of Christmas pudding! It’s a rich tradition. 😄
Isn’t Christmas pudding supposed to be soaked in something? You forgot that step, I think.
Good recipe but where’s the rum? Can’t Christmas without rum! 🎅
Yummy! I used whiskey instead of brandy. Still good!
Nice twist! I bet the whiskey added a unique flavor. Would love to try it that way!
Whiskey instead of brandy? Isn’t that like using a spoon instead of a fork? Kinda weird if you ask me.
I’m not sure about all the ingredients. Suet? Isn’t that like fat? I guess I’ll give it a go, but sounds gross.
Yeah, suet is animal fat, but it’s actually traditional in old recipes! You might be surprised how good it tastes in the pudding. Give it a chance!
This recipe is amazing! Just made it last night and it turned out perfect. Best Christmas pudding ever!
Wow, glad you loved it! Makes me want to try it out. Did you serve it with anything special?
My 5 year old loved helpin with beatin the eggs! Great way to get kids in the kitchen!!!
That’s awesome! Cooking with kids is so fun! My daughter loves it too!
This looks just like my grandma’s pudding! Can’t wait to try it! 🎄
Tried this but forgot to add the brandy. My pudding was dry and sad. Note to self: don’t forget the booze!
Absolutely delicious! You gotta try it with extra brandy butter! YUM! 😍
Best pudding! Everyone loved it at the family dinner. Will definitely make it again next Christmas! 🎄
Pudding looks tasty, but does anyone actually eat this? 🤔
I used whiskey instead of brandy. It turned out delicious! 🎉
Looks complicated, but I love a challenge! Hope it turns out as pretty as the pic.
Just cooked this! I burned it a little on the bottom but still yummy! 🙈
Why do you add stout? Isn’t that weird for pudding? I’ve never heard of it.
I don’t know… Seems too complicated with all that steaming. Can’t I just bake it? 🤔
I get what you mean! Steaming does sound a bit tricky, but that’s what gives it that rich texture. Baking could work, but it won’t be the same!
This is the best recipe ever! I made it last Christmas and everyone loved it! I can’t wait to make it again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Christmas pudding is such a tradition. I need to try it with brandy this time. Thanks for sharing!
NO WAY! This ain’t pudding. Pudding is chocolatey and smooth, not all this fruit stuff.
I totally get you! Pudding should be sweet and creamy, not full of fruit. This recipe seems off to me. Maybe a chocolate version would be better?
But this is a traditional Christmas pudding! It’s supposed to have fruits. You’re not meant to compare it to a chocolate pudding. They’re just different!
Christmas is saved! I made this wrong and it still tasted good lol!
I left out the mixed peel and it still turned out great. Good recipe for family gatherings!