Steaming Plum Pudding: Slow Cooker Style

Steaming plum pudding in a slow cooker is a great way to free up space on your hob, and it's a lot safer than steaming on the stove top. It's also a lot less hassle, as you don't have to worry about the water evaporating and the pan boiling dry.

To steam plum pudding in a slow cooker, you'll need a heatproof bowl that fits inside your slow cooker, with room for water to come up the sides. You'll also need foil and string to seal the bowl, and a trivet or scrunched-up foil to keep the bowl off the bottom of the slow cooker. Grease your bowl, fill it with your pudding mixture, and cover it with a layer of greaseproof paper and a layer of foil, pleated in the centre to allow the pudding to rise. Secure the foil with string, then lower the bowl into your slow cooker and fill with water until it comes about halfway up the bowl. Put the lid on and cook on high for one hour, then turn the heat down to low and cook for another five to six hours, depending on the size of your pudding.

How to prepare the pudding mixture

Preparing the plum pudding mixture is a simple process, but it does require some time and patience. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the perfect plum pudding mixture:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The beauty of a plum pudding is that you can customise the recipe to your taste. Traditional dried fruits such as raisins, sultanas, currants, and candied peel are often used. You can also add nuts such as almonds or walnuts for a crunchy texture. For a boozy twist, soak the dried fruits in your choice of alcohol—brandy, whiskey, or rum will all work wonderfully. You will also need some citrus zest and juice for a tangy flavour.

Next, prepare your mixing bowl. Combine all the dried fruits, citrus zest, and juice in a large mixing bowl. If you are using alcohol, add it now and stir everything together. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let the mixture soak overnight to plump up the fruits.

The following day, it's time to add the remaining ingredients. Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, spices, and breadcrumbs are all essential components of a delicious plum pudding. Mix these ingredients together in a separate bowl before adding them to the soaked fruit mixture. Give everything a good stir to combine, but be careful not to overmix.

Now, it's time to add some liquid. You can use stout, such as Guinness, or additional alcohol like brandy or whiskey. Pour your chosen liquid over the fruit and flour mixture and gently combine everything. At this point, you can also add some grated apple or carrot for extra flavour and texture.

Once your mixture is ready, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminium foil and let it rest. This step is crucial as it allows the flavours to meld and develop. Leave the mixture for at least 12 hours, or even overnight, before cooking.

When you are ready to cook your plum pudding, brush the inside of your pudding basin or bowl with melted butter. This will help prevent the pudding from sticking. Fill your basin or bowl with the pudding mixture, leaving a gap of about one inch from the rim.

Finally, cover your basin or bowl with a layer of parchment paper, creating a pleat in the centre to allow steam to escape. Secure the parchment paper with kitchen string and then cover the entire bowl with aluminium foil. Your plum pudding mixture is now ready to be steamed in your slow cooker!

How to grease the pudding bowl

Greasing the pudding bowl is an important step in the plum pudding preparation process. Here is a detailed guide on how to grease the pudding bowl effectively:

Firstly, select a suitable bowl for your pudding. It is recommended to use a glass bowl that can withstand boiling temperatures. Make sure the bowl is heat-resistant and has a capacity of at least 1.5 quarts. You can also use a ceramic or metal bowl, but ensure it is safe for use in a slow cooker.

Once you have chosen the appropriate bowl, it's time to grease it generously. You can use softened butter or vegetable shortening for this step. Take a small amount of butter or shortening and use a pastry brush to coat the inside of the bowl evenly. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the bowl for a thorough greasing. Alternatively, you can use your fingers to rub the fat onto the bowl, ensuring an even coating.

After greasing, it is essential to dust the bowl with a light coating of flour. This step will help the pudding release from the bowl more easily once it is cooked. Use a small sieve or fine-mesh strainer to dust a thin layer of flour over the greased surface, ensuring an even coating.

Once the bowl is greased and floured, it is now ready for the pudding mixture. Spoon the prepared mixture into the bowl, smoothing the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Tap the bowl gently on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles from the mixture.

Cover the bowl with a circle of parchment paper, creating a pleat in the centre to allow for expansion during cooking. Secure the parchment paper with kitchen string tied just below the rim of the bowl. This will ensure that no water enters the bowl during the steaming process.

Finally, cover the entire bowl with a layer of aluminium foil. The foil should be large enough to wrap around the bowl completely, with a bit of overlap. Secure the foil with kitchen string, creating a looped handle that will make it easier to lift the bowl in and out of the slow cooker.

Now your greased and prepared pudding bowl is ready for the next step – steaming your delicious plum pudding in the slow cooker!

How to cover the pudding bowl with parchment paper

Covering the pudding bowl with parchment paper is an important step in the steaming process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Firstly, cut a square of parchment paper that is larger than the bowl you are using. You will need to allow for an extra 6 inches of paper outside the rim of the bowl. This will ensure that you have enough paper to securely cover the bowl and create a seal.

Next, create a fold or pleat in the centre of the parchment paper. This fold will be placed over the centre of the bowl and will allow steam to accumulate within the bowl without causing the paper to burst.

Now you are ready to cover the bowl. Place the parchment paper over the bowl, with the fold lined up with the centre. Use cotton thread or twine to securely tie the parchment paper just below the rim of the bowl. Make sure the thread is made from natural fibres such as cotton, as synthetic fibres may melt during the cooking process.

Finally, cut off any excess paper using scissors. Your pudding bowl is now covered with parchment paper and ready for the next step in the steaming process.

How to tie the pudding bowl with string

Firstly, gather a long piece of sturdy string, preferably cotton or a natural fiber, and place your pudding bowl on a flat surface. Center the bowl on the string with the ends of the string facing you, ensuring there is ample length on either side of the bowl. Take one end of the string and cross it over the top of the bowl, bringing it down to the side, creating a diagonal line across the bowl's lip. Ensure the string is taut, but not so tight that it indents the bowl or restricts its movement.

Now, take the other end of the string and cross it over, creating an 'X' shape over the top of the bowl. Bring this second end down to the side, mirroring the first string's path. You should now have two diagonal strings crisscrossing over the bowl. Pull these strings gently to ensure they are secure and will not slip. Take one end of the string and wrap it under and around the bowl's base, bringing it back up to the top, creating a secure loop under the bowl.

Repeat this with the other end, so you now have two loops under the bowl, one created by each string end. Cross these two loops over each other at the base of the bowl, creating an 'X' shape under the bowl, mirroring the 'X' on the top. Pull these strings taut, ensuring the bowl is secure and won't shift. Finally, tie the four string ends together in a secure knot, double-knotting if needed, to ensure it holds. Trim any excess string, leaving enough to untie and remove easily.

Your pudding bowl is now securely tied and ready for steaming in your slow cooker. This method ensures the bowl is stable and won't shift or tip during the steaming process, helping to create a delicious, moist plum pudding.

How to steam the pudding in the slow cooker

Steaming a plum pudding in a slow cooker is a great way to free up hob space, especially on Christmas Day when you have lots of other dishes to prepare. Here's a step-by-step guide to steaming your plum pudding in a slow cooker.

Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Basin

Grease your pudding basin with butter. You can use a glass or ceramic bowl, or a plastic or metal pudding basin. Cover the top of the basin with a circle of baking parchment paper. The paper should be buttered on one side and have a pleat in the centre. Place the paper, buttered-side down, over the basin. Then cover the basin with a sheet of foil, folding the sides down to keep it in place. Tie a length of kitchen string around the rim of the basin to secure the paper and foil.

Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Place a trivet or a small upturned saucer at the bottom of the slow cooker. This will keep the pudding basin off the base of the slow cooker. Place the pudding basin on top of the trivet or saucer. Add enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the pudding basin.

Step 3: Steam the Pudding

Place the lid on the slow cooker and turn the slow cooker to high. Steam the pudding for one hour on high, then reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for another five to six hours. Check the water level periodically to make sure it hasn't evaporated. If the water level is low, top it up with boiling water.

Step 4: Remove the Pudding from the Slow Cooker

Use oven mitts to protect your hands from the steam when removing the pudding basin from the slow cooker. Allow the pudding to cool for two hours before removing the paper and foil.

Step 5: Turn Out the Pudding

Place a plate over the pudding basin and turn it over. The pudding should slide out onto the plate. Stand back and admire your steamed plum pudding!

Frequently asked questions