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Ingredients

For the topping

Method

  • STEP 1

    Put the dried fruit, cherries, apple, zests, apple juice, brandy and Cointreau in a large bowl. Microwave on High for 1 min, then leave to soak overnight.

  • STEP 2

    Butter and line a 2lb loaf tin with a strip of non-stick baking paper. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the kettle on to boil and have a roasting tin, plus a sheet of buttered foil, ready.

  • STEP 3

    Beat the butter and sugar together until it turns a little paler, then stir in the eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, syrup, spices, salt, soaked fruit and the nuts. Spoon into the loaf tin and smooth the top. Scrunch the foil loosely over the tin, twisting corners to tighten it around the tin’s edges. Sit it in the roasting tin, then pour in a few cms of boiling water. Carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 40 mins.

  • STEP 4

    After 40 mins, turn down the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and cook for another 1½ hrs, topping up the water level every now and again.

  • STEP 5

    To reheat the pudding, either return it to a medium oven for 30 mins in its tin, or turn out onto a serving plate, cover loosely with cling film and microwave for 5 mins on Medium. For the topping, gently heat the butter, sugar and syrup together until the sugar dissolves, stir in the brandy, then tip in the nuts and fruit. Spoon over the hot pudding and dust with a little icing sugar, if you like.

RECIPE TIPS
PREPARE AHEAD

The pudding can be frozen up to 8 weeks before Christmas, or can be made up to 4 weeks before the big day and kept in the fridge as it matures.

FOR A TRADITIONAL PUDDING

Butter a 2-litre pudding basin (or 2 x 1-litre basins) and line the base with a circle of baking paper. Fill with the pudding mixture, then cover with a large sheet of pleated baking paper and foil and tie with string. Place the basin in a large saucepan, fill with boiling water to half way up the sides, then cover and steam for 3 hours, checking the water level occasionally.

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