cheap family recipes
feed a family of 4 for less than £200 a month
Christmas Pudding
What do I need to make Christmas Pudding
- 120 g sugar
- 60 ml vegetable oil
- 2 tsp mixed spice
- 300 ml apple juice
- 250 g mixed dried fruit
- 200 g breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, whisked
- 100 g Self-raising flour
How do I make Christmas Pudding
- Warm the apple juice in a pan and then add the mixed fruit and leave to soak and cool.
- Heat the sugar with 1 tablespoon of water in a heavy based saucepan, stirring until it darkens to a rich medium nut brown colour.
- Pour this into the pan or bowl with your fruit. This will harden into toffee and may sizzle, so you will have a lump of toffee in some liquid, but do not panic, after about 20-30 mins cooling time, by stirring, you will be able to re incorporate this back into a liquid consistency.
- Combine this fruit and sugar mix with all the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl, stirring well.
- Pour into a greased 5.5 to 6.5 inch pudding basin, made of microwave safe plastic, glass or pyrex.
- This mix can then be microwaved, on full power for 2 sets of 3 minutes with a standing time of 3 minutes in the middle.
- If after the pudding has rested for a further 5 minutes it isn’t set, you can add another 2 minutes.
- Alternatively you can steam it on your hob for approximately 2 hrs or in your slow cooker on low for approximately 6 hours.
The end result will not have a runny centre, so aim for a set texture, but still dark and glossy and moist.
To Serve
- serve with 100 ml whipped whipping cream
What changes can I make to this delicious pudding?
If you are following the Celebration Meal Plan, you have a suggested shopping list, so may not have other options available. If you have more flexibility, you may like some of the ideas below.
- change the mixed dried fruit to any other dried fruit eg chopped apricots and dates
- serve with custard instead of cream, and maybe flavour the custard with mixed spice or cinnamon
- add some nuts, either one kind, or a mixture
- so maybe chopped apricots and hazelnuts
- or chopped dates and almonds
- or dried cranberries and chestnuts
Other puddings you might like

Ingredients
- 120 g sugar
- 60 ml oil a vegetable one
- 2 tsp mixed spice
- 300 ml apple juice
- 250 g mixed dried fruit
- 200 g breadcrumbs
- 1 egg whisked
- 100 g Self-raising flour
To Serve
- 100 ml cream whipped
Instructions
- Warm the apple juice in a pan and then add the mixed fruit and leave to soak and cool.300 ml apple juice, 250 g mixed dried fruit
- Heat the sugar with 1 tablespoon of water in a heavy based saucepan, stirring until it darkens to a rich medium nut brown colour.120 g sugar
- Pour this into the pan or bowl with your fruit. This will harden into toffee and may sizzle, so you will have a lump of toffee in some liquid, but do not panic, after about 20-30 mins cooling time, by stirring, you will be able to re incorporate this back into a liquid consistency.
- Click here to start a 30 minute timer
- Combine this fruit and sugar mix with all the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl, stirring well.60 ml oil, 2 tsp mixed spice, 200 g breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 100 g Self-raising flour
- Pour into a greased 5.5 to 6.5 inch pudding basin, made of microwave safe plastic, glass or pyrex.
- This mix can then be microwaved, on full power for 2 sets of 3 minutes with a standing time of 3 minutes in the middle. If after the pudding has rested for a further 5 minutes it isn't set, you can add another 2 minutes.
- Alternatively you can steam it on your hob for approximately 2 hrs or in your slow cooker on low for approximately 6 hours.
- The end result will not have a runny centre, so aim for a set texture, but still dark and glossy and moist.
To Serve
- serve with 100 ml whipped whipping cream100 ml cream
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
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