Traditional Christmas pudding recipe

1. Place the suet, breadcrumbs, spices, sugar, citrus zest, almonds, dried fruit and apple in a large bowl and combine well.
2. Whisk together the Guinness, brandy and eggs, then pour this into the fruit mixture and mix again really thoroughly (this is where you can get the family involved, each member stirring and making a wish!) Cover and leave to stand overnight.
3. Sift in the flour and mix thoroughly before spooning in to a 1.2 litre basin. Cover the top with a circle of greaseproof paper and then cover with another larger piece that has a fold in the middle, which enables the pudding to expand. Tie round the rim of the basin with string. Repeat with a piece of foil, tying with string.
4. Put in a large pan. Use a trivet or, if you don’t have one, something small such as a saucer to prevent the pudding from touching the base of the pan and getting too hot. Then pour in boiling water to at least halfway up the side of the basin. Steam for 8 hrs, over a low heat, checking from time to time as you will need to top up the water.
5. After 8 hrs, remove from the pan and store somewhere cool until Christmas.
6. When you wish to eat the pudding, steam as above in step 4, for 2 hrs. Carefully remove from the pan, then remove the foil and paper and invert onto a plate to serve.

See more Christmas dessert recipes

How to make gluten-free Christmas pudding?

You can make gluten-free Christmas pudding with our tried-and-tested recipe that uses gluten-free flour and gluten-free bread. Packed with dried fruit, nuts, citrus and spice, it's rich and luxurious, just as a Christmas pudding should be!

What's the best Christmas pudding recipe?

The best Christmas pudding recipe depends on which flavours you prefer. If you're a traditionalist, this classic Christmas pudding recipe is for you. If you love a sticky toffee pudding, try our festive twist, or how about a steamed gingerbread pudding?

How to make vegan Christmas pudding?

You can make vegan Christmas pudding with a recipe that omits animal products, dairy and eggs, such as our easy vegan Christmas pudding recipe. Packed with dried fruit, vegetable suet and classic festive flavours, it's just as rich and indulgent as the original.

Can you microwave a Christmas pudding?

Yes, you can microwave a shop-bought Christmas pudding or use your microwave to reheat a Christmas pudding, see tip below. This traditional recipe uses the steaming method to cook the pudding.

How to steam a Christmas pudding?

You can steam a Christmas pudding over a pan of boiling water on the hob. It's key to steam 'low and slow' – this Christmas pudding recipe requires 8 hours of steaming over a low heat and you will need to top up the boiling water now and then to stop the pan from drying out. Also, remember to cover the pudding with two layers of baking paper, allowing space for the pud to expand. If you want to make individual Christmas puddings, you can use a pan with a steamer attachment to make things easier.

How to light a Christmas pudding?

We have a guide on how to light a Christmas pudding, which explains how to do this safely and effectively. You will need a pan of brandy that you've infused with citrus and spice, a metal ladle and some tealights. Keep everyone, particularly children, away from the flame when you light the Christmas pudding and until the flames have died.

What is traditionally hidden inside a Christmas pudding?

Small trinkets were traditionally hidden inside a Christmas pudding. This included a silver sixpence, a ring and a thimble. The finder of the sixpence in their slice of Christmas pudding was said to have good luck and wealth for the coming year, while a ring signified a marriage and a thimble signified good fortune in financial matters.

Can you make an alcohol free Christmas pudding?

You can make an alcohol-free Christmas pudding by swapping the alcohol e.g. brandy for apple or orange juice. This applies to this recipe and our vegan Christmas pudding recipe. Or try making our gingerbread pudding where the rum is optional.

Can you reheat Christmas pudding?

Yes, you can reheat Christmas pudding, either whole in the pudding basin over a pan of boiling water for an hour or so (depending on the size of the pud). Alternatively, portion up, cover and reheat in the microwave for short bursts, checking every 30 seconds, until it's piping hot but not dried out.

Can you freeze Christmas Pudding?

Yes, you can freeze Christmas pudding, but it does depend on the recipe – we have a freezable pear, ginger and sherry Christmas pudding recipe. Make sure the pudding is completely cooled and well wrapped before freezing for up to 3 months.