Steaming Pudding: Slow Cooker Magic

Yes, you can steam a pudding in a slow cooker. It is a great way to make a Christmas pudding, as it takes the stress out of steaming and frees up hob space. You can also make other puddings in a slow cooker, such as a golden syrup sponge pudding.

How to prepare a pudding basin for steaming

Preparing a pudding basin for steaming is a simple process, but it's important to do it right to ensure your pudding cooks properly and stays moist. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare a pudding basin for steaming:

Step 1: Choose the Right Basin

Select a pudding basin that is the appropriate size for your pudding. Pudding basins come in various sizes, ranging from small individual portions to larger basins that can serve several people. Choose a basin that is made from a suitable material, such as stoneware, metal, or plastic. Stoneware retains heat during cooking, metal conducts heat quickly and won't break, and plastic is a good option for transporting puddings.

Step 2: Grease the Basin

Grease the inside of the pudding basin with butter. This will help prevent the pudding from sticking to the basin and make it easier to remove once it's cooked.

Step 3: Line the Basin

Cut a circle out of greaseproof paper or baking paper that is slightly larger than the base of the pudding basin. Place this circle of paper inside the basin, greased side down. This will help to create a barrier between the pudding and the basin, making it easier to remove the pudding once it's cooked.

Step 4: Prepare the Pudding Mixture

If you're making a sponge pudding, carefully pour the mixture into the basin, levelling it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. This will ensure that the mixture stays light and airy. For a Christmas pudding or fruit-based pudding, pack the mixture tightly into the basin to ensure there are no gaps.

Step 5: Cover the Basin

Cut a large square of aluminium foil and a slightly smaller square of greaseproof paper. Place the greaseproof paper on top of the foil and make a pleat in the centre of both by folding a crease. This will allow the pudding to expand during cooking. Place the foil and paper over the pudding basin and secure it with string. Cut away any excess paper and tuck the foil underneath to ensure the pudding basin is watertight.

Step 6: Create a Handle

Create a handle for the pudding by threading a double length of string through the string already tied around the basin. Pull it through to the other side and secure it. This will make it easier to lift the pudding in and out of the steamer or pan.

How long to steam a pudding for

The length of time you steam a pudding for depends on the type of pudding and the method of steaming.

If you are steaming a Christmas pudding in a slow cooker, it will take around 10 hours. If you are reheating a Christmas pudding, it will take around 4 hours.

If you are steaming a sponge pudding, it will take less time than a Christmas pudding. A sponge pudding will take around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours on the hob. In a slow cooker, a sponge pudding will take around 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours.

To check if your pudding is ready, insert a skewer into the middle of the pudding. If the skewer comes out clean, the pudding is cooked. The pudding should also be well risen and spring back when lightly pressed in the middle.

What temperature to set the slow cooker to

The temperature setting for your slow cooker will depend on the type of pudding you are making. For example, a Slow Cooker Date and Syrup Steamed Pudding recipe recommends setting the slow cooker to high. The Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding recipe also recommends cooking on high for 13 hours, and then reducing to medium if you are cooking overnight.

Other recipes recommend cooking on low, such as the Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding recipe from Good Food, which cooks the pudding for 10 hours on low, and then reheats it on low for 4 hours. The Slow Cooker Golden Syrup Sponge recipe also recommends cooking on low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

If you are using a slow cooker to steam a pudding, it is important to ensure that the water in the slow cooker doesn't run dry. You will need to top it up from time to time.

How much water to add to the slow cooker

Yes, you can steam a pudding in a slow cooker. To do this, you will need to fill the slow cooker with hot water to a certain level and then place a pudding basin with the pudding mixture inside in the water. The water level should be about halfway up the side of the basin. This will ensure your pudding cooks properly.

Different recipes recommend different cooking times, but generally, you will need to steam the pudding for around 2-3 hours on high. It is important to keep the water topped up so that the cooker doesn't run dry. One recipe recommends cooking a Christmas pudding on low for 10 hours, topping up with water as necessary.

When steaming a pudding, it is important to not overfill the pudding basin. Leave a 2-3 cm gap between the mixture and the rim. You can test if the pudding is cooked by inserting a skewer and checking if it comes out clean. If not, continue cooking for another 10-20 minutes at a time.

How to tell when a steamed pudding is ready

Steamed pudding is a traditional British dessert commonly served during Christmastime. It is a soft, moist, cake-like treat that can be made with various ingredients, including dried fruit, eggs, butter, spices, and even brandy. The pudding is cooked by steaming it slowly over a few hours, either in a large pan on the stove, in an oven, a slow cooker, or an electric steamer.

Testing the Pudding:

• One way to test if your steamed pudding is ready is to insert a skewer into the centre of the pudding. The pudding is cooked if the skewer comes out clean without any raw batter clinging to it. If the skewer comes out with batter, return the pudding to the steamer and cook for another 10-20 minutes before testing again.
• Another way to test is to gently press the centre of the pudding with your finger. If it springs back, it is ready.

Visual Cues:

• A well-risen pudding is a sign of doneness.
• For a golden syrup sponge pudding, the syrup should be absorbed into the sponge, indicating that it is ready to be served.

Timing:

• The cooking time for steamed puddings can vary depending on the recipe and the size of the pudding. Smaller sponge puddings are usually ready in under 2 hours, while larger Christmas puddings can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours to cook.
• It is important to follow the recipe's recommended cooking time and adjust as needed. However, it is worth noting that steamed puddings are quite forgiving, and it is challenging to overcook them.

By following these instructions and using your senses, you can confidently determine when your steamed pudding is ready to be enjoyed!

Frequently asked questions