ma's english plum pudding
This recipe has been handed down from my great-grandmother and before.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Plum pudding is an old-fashioned English dessert. It does not contain plums but is made with several fruits and raisins that used to be referred to as plums in olden times. We also use a mold to make the pudding, rather than linen cloth as they used to. Every family's version is different, and we loved how this recipe is chock full of dried and candied fruits and nuts. The pudding is tender and filled with warm spices. The maple sugar sauce drizzled on top is a wonderful addition. All together, it tastes like Christmas.
prep time
9 Hr
cook time
4 Hr
method
Steam
yield
12 serving(s)
Ingredients
- PUDDING
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon mace
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pound raisins
- 1/2 pound dried currants
- 1/2 pound candied citron
- 1/2 pound candied lemon peel
- 1/2 pound candied orange peel
- 1/2 pound walnut pieces
- 1/2 pound brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/4 cup hot milk
- 1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1/2 pound suet (can substitute shortening or butter)
- 1/4 cup lemon or orange juice
- 1/2 cup currant jelly or marmalade
- MAPLE HARD SAUCE
- 2 cups maple sugar (not syrup)
- 1 cup room butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup walnuts, optional
How To Make ma's english plum pudding
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Step 1To make the pudding, sift the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices together in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand overnight. -
Step 2Chop the fruit and walnuts.
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Step 3Add to a large bowl and mix. Add the brown sugar; mix again.
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Step 4Stir into the flour mixture.
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Step 5Pour the milk over the bread crumbs in a small bowl. Stir and let stand for 10 minutes.
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Step 6In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and egg yolks until light and fluffy.
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Step 7Add the shortening and bread crumb mixture to the yolk mixture.
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Step 8Stir the yolk mixture into the flour/fruit mixture.
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Step 9Add the juice and jelly to the mixture. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or with your hands.
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Step 10In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold them into the main mixture with a spoon (it will be very thick).
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Step 11Fill one large (or 2 to 3 small) greased plum pudding mold(s) 2/3 of the way full.
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Step 12Put a metal ring at the bottom of a large pot so the mold doesn't directly touch the bottom.
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Step 13Cover the mold tightly with its lid. Place it in the pot on top of the ring. Fill the pot with water about 2/3 up the side of the mold.
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Step 14Cover the pot with a tight lid and steam the pudding on a low simmer (not a boil) for 3 1/2 - 4 hours.
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Step 15After 3 1/2 hours, check the pudding with a skewer. If it comes out clean, it's done. Turn the pan over onto a cooling rack. Don't let it cool in the pan or it will stick.
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Step 16Make the maple hard sauce by creaming the butter until very soft.
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Step 17Stir in the maple sugar.
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Step 18Transfer the mixture to a saucepan on the stove. Warm over medium-low heat, for 2 - 4 minutes until just warm enough to soften.
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Step 19Blend the warm sauce until it is smooth. Stir in the walnuts, if using. You may add cream or milk and more sugar to make more sauce or to create a pouring consistency if needed.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
Discover More
Category:
Cakes
Keyword:
#Fruit
Keyword:
#nuts
Keyword:
#holiday
Keyword:
#english
Keyword:
#dried fruit
Keyword:
#fruit cake
Keyword:
#steam
Keyword:
#pudding
Keyword:
#plum pudding
Ingredient:
Fruit
Method:
Steam
Culture:
English
Collection:
Holiday Baking
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