Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe (2024)

Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe (1)

There is only 41 days till Christmas and I am hoping that I’m not the only one who is going into panic by this thought? I feel I have every reason to panic though as this year is the first time I am ever throwing Christmas…*gulp* and for 6 people *double gulp*. If you are anything like me (especially when it comes to food) everything has to be just right. The stress is already kicking in so I am trying to get organised as early as possible. Silly things on my list includecounting the cutlery, yep, only moving into my own home this year I don’t think I quite have enough cutlery yet – if it’s your first Christmas too, check you have enough. I have got a table cloth, enough plates, bowls and candles ready, and now the Christmas pudding, Yipee!

Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe (3)

Being organised does help relieve the stress, so here’s a helping hand with a recipe with a twist I have created with Waitrose that you can make now and keep till Christmas (I wish I could do that with all the food prep). The ingredients list may look scary but this is such an easy peasy pudding to prepare, all you need is time. This fig, orange and almond pudding isn’t your ordinary traditional pudding, slightly more sticky, indulgent, with a burst of orange, and luxurious almonds. It is a great way to finish your Christmas meal. I decided on the flavours down to my picky boyfriend. Like my Dad, he isn’t over keen on dried fruit, especially currents. This time of year I know he loves oranges and Clementines and he is always snacking on almonds. When I was trying to think of traditions at Christmas time two things came to mind. Firstly, Figgy pudding. We all sing the song about Figgy pudding but figs have seemed to be forgotten about at Christmas time. Secondly, stir up Sunday, a tradition where you make your Christmas pudding and everyone in the family takes a turn to stir (apparently it’s the stirring and soaking that make a Christmas pudding). So there you have it, a traditional yet modern take on classic Christmas pudding. If this doesn’t take your fancy check out some more alternative Christmas Pudding ideas on the Waitrose page here. Not in the spirit of Christmas yet? Just wait until you smell this pudding in the making, it is divine.

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Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe

Author:CookBakeEat

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Serves:6

Ingredients

  • 110g Sultanas
  • 110g Raisins
  • 100g Currents
  • 175g Dried Figs (roughly chopped)
  • 3 x Zest of an Orange
  • 40g Candied Orange Peel
  • Juice of 3 Oranges
  • 1 Tablespoon Dark Rum
  • 100ml Cointreau Liquor (plus another good dash for the end)
  • 110g Vegetable Suet
  • 4 Slices of White Bread (blitzed into breadcrumbs)
  • 1 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
  • 225g Dark Brown Sugar
  • 40g Almonds (roughly chopped)
  • 50g Self Raising Flour
  • 2 Eggs
  • Pinch of Nutmeg

Instructions

  1. In a bowl mix together the sultanas, raisins, currents, chopped dried figs, candied orange peel and the zest of one orange.
  2. Pour over the Cointreau, dark rum and juice of one orange. Give it a really good mix, cover the bowl and leave over night (I continued to mixed the soaked fruit everry now and then, before bed and as soon as I woke up).
  3. In the same bowl add the suet, breadcrumbs, mixed spice, dark brown sugar, chopped almonds, flour, eggs and nutmeg. Give it all a good mix.
  4. Finally add the 2 remaining juices of orange and the zest. Again give it all a good mix.
  5. I left this mixture covered and in the fridge over night, you can do that or you can cook straight away.
  6. Line a 2 pint pudding bowl with butter and a little grease proof paper at the bottom.
  7. Before tipping your mixture into the pudding bowl, make sure it is a sloppy consistency. Add a dash of Cointreau to loosen it up if needed.
  8. Pour in your mixture making it nicely packed in to the bowl. Cover the bowl with greaseproof paper and tin foil. I tied mine with string to make the cover secure but some pudding bowls come with lids.
  9. Put the pudding into a pan of hot water (about ¼ full - so it is touching the outside of the pudding bowl) and steam cook with a lid on for 5 - 6 hours. Make sure you check that water does not evaporate and top up when needed.
  10. Once cooked, leave to cool and change the lid (a new piece of tin foil will do). Your pudding will keep for around 2 months until Christmas. Heat up the same way as you steam cooked it for around 2 hours. Enjoy with lashings of orange flavoured white sauce.
Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe (4)

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Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe was last modified: July 10th, 2017 by Emma Thompson

Orange, Fig and Almond Christmas Pudding Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Christmas pudding and figgy pudding? ›

Figgy pudding is a specific type of Christmas or plum pudding that contains figs as a primary ingredient along with other dried fruits,” Heron says. “However, the name 'figgy pudding' doesn't always mean it exclusively contains figs. It could contain a variety of dried fruits in addition to or alongside figs.

Why are there no figs in figgy pudding? ›

As time went on other dried fruits were used in the cake but the word “figgy” stuck around. By the Victorian era raisins and currants were typically the fruits to use, although confusingly raisins (and dried fruit in general) were known as “plums” at the time — hence why the dish is sometimes called “plum pudding.”

What alcohol is best for Christmas pudding? ›

Brandy works wonderfully well and we've added more punch by infusing it with fantastically festive flavourings.

What is traditionally in the middle of a Christmas pudding? ›

It was common practice to include small silver coins in the pudding mixture, which could be kept by the person whose serving included them. The usual choice was a silver threepence or a sixpence.

What is the old name for Christmas pudding? ›

Christmas Pudding (also known as plum pudding or figgy pudding) is a dish as famous as it is misunderstood.

Does spam make figgy pudding? ›

SPAM® Figgy Pudding brings a blend of warm spices and seasonal ingredients that will be the star in many wintertime recipe favorites. With notes of cinnamon and nutmeg combined with fig and orange flavors, you'll taste true holiday comfort that will have you caroling all season long.

What are the coins in figgy pudding? ›

Traditionally a silver sixpence was put into the pudding and this was supposed to bring good luck for the following year to whoever found it in their portion of pudding. During Victorian times different shaped silver charms became popular, with each charm having a particular meaning (e.g. a horseshoe for good luck).

Are plum pudding and figgy pudding the same thing? ›

Figgy pudding — also known as plum pudding or Christmas pudding — is a staple of the British Christmas table, she says.

Can I use butter instead of suet in Christmas pudding? ›

It's best not to. Suet is a very hard fat, which melts slowly through a mixture during the cooking, whereas butter melts very easily and quickly through a mixture. They are different types of fats and shouldn't be substituted for each other.

Why set fire to Christmas pudding? ›

Traditionally, these ingredients include: raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar, breadcrumbs, citron, lemon peel, orange peel, flour, mixed spices, eggs, milk and brandy. Brandy is also traditionally poured over the pudding and set alight. The flaming brandy is said to represent the passion of Christ.

Can you eat 2 year old Christmas pudding? ›

Some Christmas puddings, made with dried fruit in the traditional way, are fine to be eaten as much as two years after they were made. "Bear in mind if the pudding is alcohol-free, of course, it will last a good while with the sugar content, but it will not last as long without alcohol to preserve it," stresses Juliet.

Where can I buy hidden orange Christmas pudding? ›

Heston from Waitrose | The Hidden Orange Christmas Pudding.

Why do Christians eat Christmas pudding? ›

Religious significance

It is believed that a Christmas pudding must contain thirteen ingredients. These ingredients each represent Jesus and each of his twelve disciples. Traditionally, brandy is poured over the Christmas pudding and set aflame before serving. The flames are believed to represent Christ's passion.

What do you hide in a Christmas pudding? ›

It was customary to hide a number of small trinkets in the mixture, a bit like the twelfth night cake. These charms often included a silver coin which signified wealth, and a ring to represent a future marriage. Woe betide the guest who stumbled across a thimble in their serving…

Is figgy pudding the same as Christmas cake? ›

It's actually a dense, steamed cake. Also called “Christmas pudding” or “plum pudding,” traditional figgy pudding typically comprises flour, breadcrumbs, suet, sugar, eggs, brandy, and dried fruits, like raisins and currants. Now you're probably thinking what I was thinking: “Oh okay! …

Is figgy pudding and fruit cake the same thing? ›

Is figgy pudding the same as fruit cake? No. Traditional figgy pudding is a British dish that is more like a bread pudding that may or may not include dried fruit like raisins. So although there are similarities for sure, they are not the same thing.

What is traditional figgy pudding made of? ›

What Is Figgy Pudding Made Of? Traditional figgy pudding is a holiday dish made with flour, suet (a type of hard animal fat), figs, and other dried fruits. Some more modern versions, like this one, are made without suet.

Is fig pudding the same as figgy pudding? ›

Figgy pudding or fig pudding is any of many medieval Christmas dishes, usually sweet or savory cakes containing honey, fruits and nuts. In later times, rum or other distilled alcohol was often added to enrich the fruitiness of the flavour.

References

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