Recipe

Classic boiled christmas pudding

No Christmas is complete with out a classic boiled Christmas pudding. Leave it simmering happily away while you while away the day with family, friends and children. Enjoy it just when you thought you couldn't take another bite.

Jun 30, 2011 2:00pm
  • 6 hrs 30 mins cooking
  • Serves 12
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Ingredients

Classic boiled christmas pudding
  • 4 cup (750g) mixed dried fruit
  • 1 1/3杯(185克)的干枣,切碎coarsely
  • 1 1/4 cup (185g) raisins, chopped coarsely
  • 1 1/2 cup (375ml) water
  • 3/4 cup (165g) caster (superfine) sugar
  • 1 cup (200g) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 250 gram (8 ounces) butter, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
  • 3 eggs, beaten lightly
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) dark rum
  • 3 cup (210g) firmly packed fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 1 3/4 cup (260g) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 2 teaspoon mixed spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 60 centimetre (24-inch) square of calico
  • 1/3 cup (50g) plain (all-purpose) flour, extra
  • 2.5 (2.5 yards) kitchen string

Method

Classic boiled christmas pudding
  • 1
    Stir fruit, the water, sugars and butter in large saucepan over heat, without boiling, until sugar dissolves; bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 8 minutes. Stir in soda; cool.
  • 2
    Stir egg, rum, breadcrumbs and sifted dry ingredients into fruit mixture.
  • 3
    Fill a large boiler three-quarters full of hot water, cover; bring to the boil. Have string and extra flour ready. Wearing thick rubber gloves, drop pudding cloth in boiling water; squeeze excess water from cloth. Spread hot cloth on bench, rub extra flour onto cloth 40cm (16 inches) in diameter, leaving flour a little thicker in centre.
  • 4
    Place pudding mixture in centre of cloth. Tie cloth tightly with string as close to mixture as possible. Knot two pairs of corners together.
  • 5
    Lower pudding into boiling water. Cover with tight lid; boil 6 hours, replenishing water as necessary to maintain water level.
  • 6
    Lift pudding from water, place in large colander; cut string, carefully peel back cloth. Turn pudding onto a plate; carefully peel away cloth, cool. Stand 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

You'll need a 60cm (24-inch) square of unbleached calico for the pudding cloth. If the calico hasn't been used before, start with an 80cm (16-inch) square of calico, soak in cold water overnight. Next day, boil it for 20 minutes, rinse in cold water and cut to a 60cm (24-inch) square. To store pudding, we prefer to remove the cloth rather than hanging the pudding, as mould can form in our climate. After removing cloth, allow pudding to come to room temperature; wrap in plastic wrap and seal tightly in a freezer bag or airtight container, and refrigerate for up to two months.

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