Monday Bake - Christmas Pudding

Here we are at the end of another year and another speedy one at that.  I think I just need to accept that time goes quicker the older you get!!

We had a lovely christmas. To cater for all tastes I did three puddings on Christmas day. Trifle, which Hubby and I had. A chocolate fondant for Minibakebakegirl and a 'make on the day' Christmas pudding for the other men folk, Hubby's Dad and Uncle.

This recipe by Ruby from The Great British Bake Off was in the Christmas Asda magazine.

Ingredients:
Zest of 2 lemons
40g raisins
40g dried cranberries
40g prunes
100ml sweet white wine
40g stem ginger from a jar plus 2tbsp of the syrup
40g mixed peel
125g unsalted butter softened
50g soft light brown sugar
75g caster sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
135g plain flour
1.5tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt

Method:
The day before mix the zest, fruit and wine in a bowl. Cover with clingfilm and leave overnight at room temperature.
Lightly butter a 0.8-1.2L pudding basin.  Cut out a circle of baking paper and place in the bottom. Also cut out 2 large circles to cover the top of the basin and set aside.
Add the stem ginger, syrup and mixed peel to the fruit.  In a large bowl cream the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy, then add the eggs and vanilla and mix again.  Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix to combine.
Spoon into the pudding basin and cover with one sheet of the greaseproof paper with a large pleat in the middle, tie securely with string then do the same with the second sheet.
Put a saucer upside down in a large pan. Place the pudding on top. Add boiling water to come up 3/4 of the way up the basin put on the lid and steam for 2 hours. Keep an eye on the water level so it doesn't boil dry.

When cooked run a knife around the pudding and turn out on a large plate.
Serve with custard, cream or ice-cream.



This is a lovely steamed pudding, much lighter than a usual Christmas pudding.  It also lasts well as Hubby and I finished off the remains of it today!

Here is Minibakebakegirl's pudding, I have loved those wee chocolate stars this Christmas!

Hope you have a good new year, see you in 2015!
Bakebakegirl

Today's top three Spotify songs:

1. Boogie Nights - Heatwave
2. Dancing Queen - Abba
3. Everybody Dance - Chic