Steaming Christmas Pudding: Slow Cooker Method Explained

Christmas pudding is a festive staple, and steaming it in a slow cooker is a convenient, stress-free way to prepare this delicious dessert. The slow cooker method eliminates the need for constant monitoring and topping up of water, making the process more relaxed. This approach also frees up stove space, reduces energy consumption, and results in a rich, fruity pudding. The cooking time varies depending on the slow cooker model, but it typically ranges from 8 to 13 hours on a low or high setting. Reheating can be done in the slow cooker as well, taking around 2 to 5 hours.

How to prepare your Christmas pudding for steaming

Preparing your Christmas pudding for steaming is a simple process, but it does require some forward planning. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: Prepare your ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The beauty of a Christmas pudding is that you can tweak the recipe to your taste. Traditional ingredients include a mix of dried fruits, such as raisins, sultanas, currants, and candied peel, along with an apple, citrus zest, and juice. You will also need your choice of alcohol, such as brandy, rum, or whiskey, and other flavourings like spices and vanilla. Don't forget the essential binding ingredients, such as flour, breadcrumbs, and suet or butter.

Step 2: Mix and soak the ingredients

Combine your chosen dried fruits, apple, citrus zest, and juice in a large bowl. Pour over your chosen alcohol and give everything a good stir. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and leave this mixture to soak and infuse overnight.

Step 3: Prepare your pudding basin

The next day, you will need to prepare your pudding basin. You can use a traditional ceramic basin or a plastic one with a lid. Butter the basin generously to prevent sticking, and line the base with a circle of baking parchment.

Step 4: Make your pudding mixture

Now, it's time to add the remaining ingredients to your soaked fruit mixture. Simply add your chosen binding ingredients, spices, and any other flavourings, and mix well. Don't forget to make a wish as you stir!

Step 5: Fill and cover your pudding basin

Once your mixture is ready, it's time to fill your prepared pudding basin. Spoon the mixture into the basin, pressing it down well and making a gap in the middle with the back of your spoon. Cover the surface with a circle of baking parchment, then stack a sheet of parchment over a sheet of foil, folding a pleat in the middle. Secure this covering over the basin with kitchen string, adding a looped handle for easy removal later.

Step 6: Steam your pudding

Carefully lower your filled pudding basin into your slow cooker. Fill the slow cooker with water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the basin. Set your slow cooker to low, and cook your pudding for an extended period—typically around 8 to 12 hours for a rich, dark pudding. Remember not to lift the lid during cooking, as this will slow down the process.

Step 7: Cool and store your pudding

Once your pudding is cooked, carefully remove the basin from the slow cooker and allow it to cool completely. You can then store it in a cool, dark place for up to six months until you are ready to serve it.

Step 8: Reheat and serve your pudding

On the day you want to serve your pudding, return it to the slow cooker and reheat for around 3 to 5 hours. Invert the pudding onto a serving plate, warm some alcohol (such as brandy or rum) in a small pan, drizzle it over the pudding, and carefully set it alight for a dramatic presentation. Serve your pudding with traditional accompaniments like brandy butter or custard, and enjoy!

How to steam your Christmas pudding in a slow cooker

Steaming your Christmas pudding in a slow cooker is a great way to save space on the hob and reduce the need to keep an eye on water levels. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect slow-cooked Christmas pudding.

Preparation

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The exact quantities will vary depending on your recipe, but a traditional Christmas pudding will include dried fruit, nuts, spices, flour, breadcrumbs, suet, and alcohol. You will also need a slow cooker, a pudding basin, butter or oil for greasing, and kitchen string.

The day before making your pudding, it is recommended to soak your dried fruit in alcohol to infuse it with flavour. You can use brandy, rum, or another spirit of your choice. This step is optional but will enhance the flavour and texture of your fruit.

Cooking your pudding

On the day of making your pudding, start by mixing all your ingredients together in a large bowl. Then, grease your pudding basin with butter or oil to prevent the pudding from sticking. Next, spoon the mixture into the basin, pressing it down well and leaving a gap in the middle. Cover the basin with a circle of baking parchment and foil, securing it with kitchen string.

Fill your slow cooker with water, ensuring it reaches approximately halfway up the sides of the basin. Carefully lower the basin into the slow cooker and set it to cook on a low heat. The cooking time will depend on your slow cooker and the size of your pudding, but it typically ranges from 8 to 12 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking, as this will release steam and slow down the process.

Once the pudding is cooked, remove the basin from the slow cooker and allow it to cool completely before storing it in a cool, dark place. The pudding can be stored for up to six months if wrapped tightly in foil or cling film.

Reheating your pudding

To reheat your pudding on the day of serving, return it to the slow cooker and fill the pot with water as before. Reheat on a low setting for 3 to 5 hours, or until the pudding is piping hot throughout. Carefully remove the basin from the slow cooker and invert it onto a serving plate.

Serving your pudding

For an extra touch of flair, you can warm some alcohol, such as brandy or rum, in a small pan and drizzle it over the pudding. Carefully light the alcohol to create a flaming pudding that will impress your guests. Serve your pudding with traditional accompaniments such as brandy butter, custard, or cream.

How long to steam your Christmas pudding for

Steaming your Christmas pudding in a slow cooker is a great way to save space and avoid the stress of preparing anything on the day. It's also a lot easier than steaming it on the hob, as you don't have to worry about the water boiling over or drying up.

The length of time you should steam your Christmas pudding for will depend on the size of your pudding, the power of your slow cooker, and whether you are cooking or reheating it.

Cooking your Christmas pudding

If you are cooking your Christmas pudding in a slow cooker, you should allow a minimum of 8 hours for it to cook through. Some recipes suggest cooking for up to 12 hours, and larger puddings may take longer.

Reheating your Christmas pudding

If you are reheating your Christmas pudding, 3-4 hours should be enough to heat it through. However, leaving it for longer is unlikely to be a problem.

Other tips

• Do not lift the lid of the slow cooker while cooking, as this will slow down the cooking time.
• You may need to top up the water in the slow cooker during the cooking time, as some of it may evaporate.
• If you are cooking multiple puddings, you can reduce the cooking time for the first one and check that it is cooked before removing it from the slow cooker.

How to reheat your Christmas pudding in a slow cooker

Christmas pudding is a rich, fruity, and boozy dessert that is a common part of Christmas feasts in the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, and even South Africa. While it can be eaten hot or cold, most people prefer it warm. Here's how to reheat your Christmas pudding in a slow cooker to achieve the perfect temperature and texture.

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

First, ensure your slow cooker is clean and dry. If you need to wash it, do so with hot, soapy water, and then dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. Plug in your slow cooker and turn it on to the low setting.

Preparing Your Pudding

Remove your Christmas pudding from its storage container and remove any wrapping, such as cling film or foil. If you have made the pudding ahead of time and stored it in its pudding basin, you will need to remove the string, cling film, and baking parchment used in cooking.

Reheating Your Pudding

Place your pudding basin in the slow cooker. If you are using a plastic basin, it should be fine to sit directly in the slow cooker. For a ceramic or glass basin, you may want to place a folded tea towel in the bottom of the slow cooker first and sit the basin on top. Fill the slow cooker with boiling water, ensuring that the water reaches approximately two-thirds of the way up the bowl or 1-2 inches from the rim of the basin.

Set the slow cooker to low and reheat for 3-5 hours. The pudding is ready when it is piping hot all the way through. It should also be slightly risen with a glazed, dark brown top.

Serving Your Pudding

Once the pudding is heated through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. To remove the pudding from the bowl, run a knife around the edge and turn it over onto a serving plate. You can also cut the pudding into individual portions and reheat them in the microwave if that suits you better.

Christmas pudding is often served with warm custard, cream, ice cream, or brandy or rum butter. For a bit of extra flair, you can flame the pudding by heating brandy in a pan, pouring it over the pudding, and carefully lighting it. Serve the pudding once the flames have died down.

How to serve your Christmas pudding

Christmas pudding is a dessert steeped in tradition, and there are many ways to serve this classic treat. Here are some ideas to elevate your Christmas pudding and impress your guests:

Flaming the Pudding

For a show-stopping effect, you can flame the pudding. Heat some brandy in a pan, pour it over the pudding, and carefully ignite it. Serve the pudding once the flames have died down. This method adds a bit of extra flavour and creates a memorable dining experience.

Warm Custard

A warm custard is a perfect accompaniment to Christmas pudding. You can make your own custard from scratch or take the easier route and purchase it from a store. Custard complements the rich, fruity flavours of the pudding, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Dairy Delights

For a creamy and cool contrast to the rich pudding, consider serving it with a dollop of double cream, thick clotted cream, or whipped cream. If you're catering to dairy-free guests, vegan whipped coconut cream is a rich alternative.

Ice Cream

In warmer climates, serving Christmas pudding with ice cream can be a refreshing option. It's also a great choice for children who may be trying this traditional dessert for the first time. You can choose any ice cream flavour you like, and if you want to get creative, you can even make your own unique flavour combination.

Chocolate and Fruits

Chocolate is an instant crowd-pleaser, and pairing it with fresh seasonal fruits like cherries, strawberries, plums, and other stone fruits creates a stellar combination. You can serve the pudding with a chocolate sauce for dipping or even add chocolate chips to the pudding for an extra indulgent touch.

Creative Leftovers

If you have leftover Christmas pudding, don't worry – there are plenty of ways to transform it into something new! You can create a Christmas pudding trifle, crumble, strudel, or even muffins. Get creative and give your leftovers a delicious second life.

Traditional Twist

For a classic take on serving Christmas pudding, don't forget the brandy butter or vanilla custard. These traditional accompaniments never go out of style and are sure to please guests of all ages.

Frequently asked questions