Make a Christmas Pudding

Edited by Robbi, Eng, Lynn, Maria Quinney

5 Parts: Plum pudding trivia Items you will need Steps to make a Christmas pudding Tips Comments
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Plum pudding or Christmas pudding is a pudding which is steamed or boiled. It is very common to eat it at Christmas, but it is also traditional at any British holiday.

The steamed puddings are becoming more popular in the United States as well, perhaps because of a desire to create more traditional holidays. Many people today are seeking out new recipes and new methods to make a traditional steamed Christmas pudding.

Plum pudding trivia

Plum pudding has no plums in it; however, in Medieval times, raisins or other dried fruits were known as plums, which is where plum pudding or Christmas pudding gets its name.

It's interesting to note that the Puritans in England and again in America outlawed Christmas pudding, which may be why it never quite caught on in the United States until now.

The Puritans were plain living people who believed that plum pudding was so rich that it was sinful, and so they did not allow it to be made. In old England, silver charms or silver coins were placed inside the pudding and whoever received them got to keep the extra money.

Items you will need

  1. 1
    1/2 cup sugar
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  2. 2
    1/2 cup butter
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  3. 3
    1/2 cup evaporated milk
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  4. 4
    1 3/4 cups flour
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  5. 5
    1 egg slightly beaten
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  6. 6
    1/2 cup raisins
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  7. 7
    1/2 cup golden raisins
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  8. 8
    1/2 cup dried apricots
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  9. 9
    1/3 cup molasses
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  10. 10
    1/2 tsp
    .
    baking soda
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  11. 11
    1 1/2 tsp
    .
    baking powder
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  12. 12
    1/2 cup pecans (optional-check for allergies)
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  13. 13
    3/4 cups apples, finely chopped
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  14. 14
    1 tsp
    .
    cinnamon
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  15. 15
    1/4 tsp
    .
    nutmeg
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  16. 16
    1/4 ts.p apple pie spice
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  17. 17
    A two quart oven proof pudding basis (usually made of salt glazed stoneware)
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Steps to make a Christmas pudding

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  1. 1
    Lightly oil two quart pudding basin .
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  • 2
    In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, milk, eggs, molasses and cream them
    .
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  • 3
    Add the salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour and mix
    .
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  • 4
    Add in the fruits and spices.
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  • 5
    Mix until you have a lumpy batter.
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  • 6
    Pour the batter into the pre- greased pudding basin until it is half full
    .
    If you have extra batter you can make a small pudding, but don't overfill the pudding basin.
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  • 7
    In a large pot or double boiler set the basin into the bottom of the pot sitting on a tile trivet or an inverted bowl
    .
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  • 8
    Add boiling water until it comes about half way up the side of the pudding basin.
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  • 9
    Increase the heat until the water comes to a rapid rolling boil.
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  • 10
    Lower the heat to about medium and cover the pot
    .
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  • 11
    Boil your pudding very gently for about 3.5-4 hours
    .
    You'll have to add more water as necessary to get the pudding done.
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  • 12
    When a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, the pudding is done.
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    • Tips

    • You may substitute apricot nectar and brandy in equal proportions instead of using the milk in this recipe.
    • Puddings can be made in small basins and steamed for about 1.5-2 hours.
    • Omit the nuts if there are people who have allergies.

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

    Comments

    Article Info

    Categories : Holidays & Traditions

    Recent edits by: Lynn, Eng, Robbi

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