I’ve been making Christmas pudding every year and sometimes it was good sometimes not. A few years ago I stumbled upon this old recipe and it works like a dream- the Guinness makes it rich, deep and totally moorish. I’ve even converted Christmas pudding haters with this one.

Preparation time: 20 minutes   Quantity: Makes 1lb   Cooking time: 2 hours

Ingredients

60g/ 2 oz chopped prunes stoned (7 in no)
90g/ 3 oz currants
60g/ 2 oz raisins
60g/ 2 oz sultanas
45g/ 1 &1/2 oz plain flour
tip teaspoon cinnamon
tip teaspoon nutmeg 45g/ 1 &1/2 oz bread crumbs 30g/ 1 oz suet
45g1& 1/2 oz dark brown sugar
1/8th or a strip of grated or finely chopped lemon
50 ml/ 2 fl oz stout (Guinness)
1/2 or 1 oz egg (whole mixed)
touch of salt

Method

  • Mix all ingredients by spoon in a large bowl
  • Spoon into a lined pudding bowl
  • rest overnight if you’ve got time
  • Steam for 2 hours
  • Cool
  • Wrap well
  • Reheat when needed, either microwave on full for 3-5 minutes or steam until warm