Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding

Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding
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One Christmas (when I clearly had too much time on my hands), I made my own mincemeat, mince pies and Christmas pudding. Since I tasted my first homemade pudding, I’ve made at least one every year. People seem pretty impressed when I tell them so, but it really is so simple – and so stupendously flavoursome – in comparison to shop bought. Nowadays, the fact that it’s a slow cooker Christmas pudding recipe makes matters even easier.

But isn’t a Christmas pud steamed, I hear you ask? Yes it is. The only difference when you cook Christmas pudding in the slow cooker is that it’s steamed inside the pot. Rather than over the hob and in a pan that you have to keep an eye on all day. Either way, there’s no baking involved.

Wherever we spend the festive season, the Christmas pudding comes with us.I usually make mine in October – sometimes November – to give it time to mature. The festive old is best made at least a month in advance, giving it time to mature. Sometimes I make two, for meal with family or friends over the festive season as well as the Christmas Day dessert.

What if your guests don’t like plum pudding? Then bah humbug, I say. Give them something else. Then your home made Christmas pudding might well last you into the New Year. Hurrah!

Should you feed a Christmas pudding? Some say to give it a weekly tablespoon of rum or brandy in the run-up to Christmas. Some years I have remembered to do just that, while during busier times it’s been neglected completely. I haven’t noticed a dramatic difference, to be honest, but I give it a drink if I do remember to.

You can flame a festive pudding by putting about 1 tablespoon of brandy or rum into a flameproof ladle. Place your pudding nearby. Hold the ladle over a lit hob or other flame until it catches fire, then quickly but carefully pour the burning liquid over the pudding and present it proudly.

I specify brown sugar, but you can use white sugar if you don’t have in – it won’t make a lot of difference. Vegetable suet is my go-to choice, as I just like the idea better, but it’s also ideal if you have vegetarian guests. Try this Christmas pudding in a slow cooker method. Making it is so easy that I’m sure stir-up Sunday will become a annual event in your home.

Makes one large pudding (serves 12 or more)

Slow cooker Christmas pudding ingredients

  • Butter, for greasing
  • Brown sugar, 100g
  • Suet, 100g
  • Dried mixed fruit (with candied peel), 500g
  • Plain flour, 50g
  • White bread, 1 slice, in breadcrumbs
  • Flaked almonds, 25g
  • Cinnamon, ground, 1/2 tsp
  • Mixed spice, 1/2 tsp
  • Nutmeg, freshly grated, 1/2 tsp
  • Salt, a pinch
  • Lemon, 1/2, zest and juice
  • Eggs, 2, beaten
  • Rum or brandy, 50ml

Equipment

How to make Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding

  • Grease the pudding basin, using just a little butter to do so.
  • Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, to combine well. Then add the lemon juice, eggs and alcohol before stirring together thoroughly.
  • Add the mixture to the prepared pudding basin. Place a circle of baking parchment directly on top of the pudding, then add another layer across the top. Secure this with string or a rubber band.
  • Put the Christmas pud into the slow cooker, and add enough boiling water to come about two thirds of the way up the sides. Put the lid and on set to High, for about 6 hours’ cooking time. (Here, you’re using the slow cooker to steam your Christmas pudding.)
  • Allow the pudding and slow cooker to cool completely before removing the pudding (I leave mine in there until the next morning). Replace the baking parchment covers with new ones and store in a cool, dry place until Christmas.
  • If you like, feed the pudding a tablespoon of brandy or rum every week as it matures.
  • To serve, steam on High as before for 2 hours. Serve with cream, custard, brandy butter, rum sauce, white sauce or a combination of the above.

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Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

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Filed Under: Puddings, Slow Cooker