Steam Pudding Perfection: Slow Cooker Style

Making a steamed pudding in a slow cooker is a great way to enjoy a comforting dessert without the hassle of traditional steaming methods. This method is especially useful if you want to free up stove space or avoid the constant monitoring that comes with steaming on the hob. Slow cookers are also a more budget-friendly option, as they require less energy to run compared to ovens or stoves.

The process of making a steamed pudding in a slow cooker is quite simple. First, you'll need to prepare your pudding mixture. This typically includes ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and your choice of flavourings like dried fruit, syrup, or jam. You'll also need a suitable pudding basin, which can be made of plastic or ceramic, and should fit comfortably inside your slow cooker without touching the sides or lid. Grease your basin and fill it with your pudding mixture.

Now, for the steaming part. Place a pleated piece of baking paper or foil over the basin, followed by a layer of foil, and secure it with string. This creates a tight seal to prevent water from getting into the pudding. Place the basin in your slow cooker and carefully pour in boiling water until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the basin. Put the lid on your slow cooker and let it work its magic! The cooking time will vary depending on your recipe, but it typically ranges from 2 to 10 hours for a fully cooked pudding.

Choosing a pudding basin

When choosing a pudding basin, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the material: ceramic, glass, or plastic pudding basins are available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Ceramic basins are great at retaining heat and distributing it evenly, but they can be heavy and fragile. Glass basins allow you to see the contents of your pudding, but they too can be fragile. Metal basins, such as stainless steel or aluminium, are durable and lightweight but may rust over time and are not ideal for presentation.

Secondly, consider the size of the basin. Pudding basins range from ½ pint for individual puddings to 2 pints for larger families or dinner parties. A one-litre basin is the average size.

Thirdly, the design of the basin is important. Basins come in various shapes, including round, basin, Bundt, and rectangle, which affect the presentation and cooking time of the pudding. Additionally, features like lids and handles can be useful. A lid helps retain moisture and prevent water from entering the basin, while handles provide a secure grip when removing the basin from the oven.

Finally, consider the care and maintenance of your pudding basin. Always clean your basin thoroughly with warm soapy water and a soft sponge after use, and avoid using abrasive cleaners or tools that can scratch the surface. Dry the basin completely before storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Preparing the slow cooker

First, you will need to ensure you have a slow cooker that is large enough to fit your pudding basin with the slow cooker's lid on. You will also need a pudding basin, ideally one with a capacity of 1.5 pints, and a clip-on lid. If your basin does not have a lid, you can create one using greaseproof paper, kitchen foil, and string.

Next, switch on your slow cooker and set it to high. Grease your pudding basin with butter or vegan margarine. If you are making a syrup pudding, pour a layer of syrup into the basin to cover the base.

Now it's time to prepare the ingredients for your pudding. Most recipes will require you to mix together dry ingredients, such as flour and spices, and wet ingredients, such as eggs and milk. You may also need to soak dried fruit in alcohol. Once your ingredients are ready, spoon the mixture into your greased pudding basin.

Before placing the basin in the slow cooker, you will need to cover it. If your basin has a lid, place it on top. If not, place a circle of buttered greaseproof paper directly on top of the pudding batter, followed by a sheet of foil. Fold a pleat in the middle of the foil and secure it around the rim of the basin with string. This will prevent water from getting into the pudding during cooking.

Carefully lower the basin into the slow cooker and fill the slow cooker with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the basin. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook according to your chosen recipe's instructions.

Making the batter

The first step in making a steamed pudding in a slow cooker is to prepare the batter. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The exact ingredients may vary depending on the recipe and type of pudding you are making. However, some common ingredients include:

• Butter or vegan margarine
• Sugar (caster, soft brown, or light brown)
• Eggs
• Milk (whole, plant-based, or evaporated)
• Self-raising flour
• Golden syrup, honey, treacle, or jam/marmalade
• Dried fruits (such as sultanas, raisins, currants, cranberries, or candied peel)
• Spices (such as cinnamon, mixed spice, or nutmeg)
• Breadcrumbs
• Grated apple or carrot
• Baking powder
• Vanilla extract

Mixing the batter

Once you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to start mixing! Here is a general guide on how to mix the batter:

• Cream the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. You can do this using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon.
• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each one is well incorporated before adding the next.
• Add any flavourings, such as vanilla extract, honey, or syrup, and mix well.
• Gradually add the flour, mixing until it is combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
• If using dried fruits or other mix-ins, fold them into the batter gently.
• Finally, stir in the milk to adjust the consistency of the batter. The batter should be soft and dropping easily from the spoon.

Preparing the pudding basin

While you are making the batter, you can also prepare your pudding basin or bowl. Here are the steps to do this:

• Grease a 1.5-2 pint pudding basin or bowl with butter or margarine.
• If using golden syrup, honey, or treacle, pour a layer of it into the bottom of the basin. Alternatively, you can add a few dollops of jam or marmalade.
• If using a plastic or ceramic basin, cover the top with a layer of buttered greaseproof paper and a square of foil. For a metal basin, create a traditional lid by overlapping greaseproof paper and kitchen foil and securing it with string.

Now that your batter and basin are ready, it's time to combine them and start steaming your pudding!

Cooking the pudding

The first step in cooking your steam pudding is to prepare your slow cooker. You will need to add water to the slow cooker, ensuring that it reaches a certain level. The water level should be about halfway up the sides of the pudding basin or bowl, or about 1-2 inches from the rim. You can use either boiling or warm water, depending on the recipe.

Next, you'll want to prepare your pudding mixture. This will vary depending on the type of pudding you are making, but it often involves creaming together butter and sugar, adding eggs, and mixing in dry ingredients such as flour and spices. You might also add in fruit, nuts, or other mix-ins.

Once your pudding mixture is ready, it's time to assemble your pudding basin or bowl. Grease the basin with butter or margarine, and if you're making a syrup pudding, add a layer of syrup to the bottom of the basin. Then, spoon the pudding mixture into the basin, taking care not to fill it too high—leave about 1 cm of space at the top.

Now, you'll need to cover your pudding basin. This can be done in a few different ways. One method is to use a layer of greaseproof or baking paper, followed by a layer of foil, with a pleat folded into the middle. Secure the cover with string, tying it tightly under the lip of the basin to ensure that no water gets in. You can also create a string handle across the top of the basin, which will make it easier to remove from the slow cooker later.

Place the covered pudding basin into the slow cooker, ensuring that the water level is correct. Put the lid on the slow cooker and set it to cook. The cooking time will vary depending on the recipe and the size of your pudding, but it typically ranges from about 2 hours to 13 hours.

Once the pudding is cooked, carefully remove the basin from the slow cooker. Allow it to cool before serving. You might need to loosen the pudding from the sides of the basin with a knife before turning it out onto a plate.

Your steam pudding is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it with custard, cream, or ice cream for a delicious and comforting dessert.

Serving suggestions

Steam puddings are a traditional British dessert and are best served with a hot or cold accompaniment to create a delicious contrast. Here are some ideas for serving your slow-cooked steamed pudding:

• Custard: The absolute best way to serve a steamed pudding is with a jug of warm custard. Custard is a thick, creamy accompaniment that is a perfect match for the fluffy, spongy texture of the pudding. You can make your own custard or buy it ready-made. Pour the custard over the pudding or serve it on the side.
• Cream: For a decadent touch, serve your steamed pudding with a generous dollop of clotted cream or freshly whipped cream. The cold, creamy texture of the cream will balance the warmth and sponginess of the pudding.
• Ice Cream: A scoop of ice cream is a refreshing contrast to the warm pudding. Vanilla ice cream is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other flavours like chocolate, strawberry, or even boozy flavours like rum raisin.
• Chocolate or Toffee Sauce: Drizzle some warm chocolate or toffee sauce over your steamed pudding for an extra indulgent touch. The sauce will create a delicious gooey contrast to the spongy pudding.
• Fresh Fruit or Berry Coulis: For a lighter option, serve your steamed pudding with fresh fruit slices or a fruity berry coulis. The tartness of the fruit will balance the sweetness of the pudding.

Frequently asked questions