Celebration Pudding

Celebration Pudding is a modern British recipe for a classic layered vegetarian rich fruit pudding that's intended as a completely vegetarian alternative to the traditional steamed Christmas pudding. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic British version of: Celebration Pudding.

prep time

20 minutes

cook time

90 minutes

Total Time:

110 minutes

Additional Time:

(+2 hours soaking)

Serves:

8

Rating:

Tags : Vegetarian RecipesSpice RecipesDessert RecipesMilk RecipesBritish Recipes

This layered vegetarian pudding was developed initially as an alternative to the traditional Christmas pudding (it is much lighter and easier to make, but just as fruity). However, it works well as the dessert course for any celebration dinner.

Celebration Pudding: A British recipe for a layered vegetarian rich fruit pudding that's intended as a completely vegetarian alternative to the traditional steamed Christmas pudding.

Ingredients:

For the First Layer:
175g sultanas
175g raisins
100g dates
2 tbsp concentrated apple juice
280ml fresh orange juice
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 tsp freshly-grated nutmeg
2 tbsp dark rum or brandy
50g chopped almonds

For the Second Layer:
225g dried apricots
280ml fresh orange juice
juice of 1/2 lemon
3cm length of cinnamon stick
50g ground almonds

For the Third Layer:
280ml whipped cream
1 tbsp brandy

Method:

Begin with the first layer. Soak the sultanas, raisins and dates in a blend of the orange and lemon juices. Cover and set aside for 2 hours.

For the second layer, soak the apricots in the orange and lemon juice for 2 hours.

After this time, turn the apricot and citrus juice into a pan, add a cinnamon stick and bring to a simmer. Continue cooking gently for about 40 minutes, or until the apricots are tender.

Remove and discard the cinnamon stick, then beat the apricots to a smooth purée, before stirring in the almonds.

In the meantime, turn the sultana, raisin and date mixture along with the fruit juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and syrupy. Take off the heat and stir in the rum or brandy, along with the chopped almonds then set aside to cool.

For the third layer, gently fold the brandy into the whipped cream.

Line a round pudding basin with clingfilm (plastic wrap) then build the pudding up in layers, beginning with the sultana and raisin mixture, followed by the apricot mixture and then the whipped cream mixture. Continue in this fashion, ensuring that you finish with a layer of the dark sultana, raisin and date mix on the top.

Cover with clingfilm and set aside in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly (at least 3 hours, but best if left over night).

When chilled, remove the covering then turn the pudding onto a serving dish. Remove the clingfilm covering the pudding (from inside the bowl).

Warm a little rum or brandy in a ladle, set alight, pour over the pudding, then bring to the table.

Find more Christmas Recipes Here