Is Your Christmas Pudding Cooked?

Steaming a Christmas pudding is a popular method of cooking in Ireland and Britain. It is a daunting task for many, with the fear of undercooking or boiling the pan dry being common concerns. However, it is actually very easy to steam a Christmas pudding, and there are several ways to tell if it is cooked. Firstly, the pudding should be dark and firm when completely cold. You can also insert a skewer through the foil and parchment paper; if it comes out clean, the pudding is ready. Another way to check is to use a digital thermometer; the minimum reading should be 75˚C when the pudding is fully cooked.

Check the colour and texture

Checking the colour and texture of your Christmas pudding

The colour and texture of your Christmas pudding are key indicators of whether it is cooked. A cooked Christmas pudding should be dark and firm all the way through.

Colour

The pudding should be dark in colour. If it is still light, it is likely that it is undercooked.

Texture

The pudding should be firm to the touch and not slushy. You can test the texture by pressing the top of the pudding gently with your finger. If your finger leaves an indent, the pudding needs to be cooked for longer.

You can also test the texture by inserting a skewer or small knife into the centre of the pudding and then carefully touching it to check the temperature. If the skewer or knife is hot to the touch, the pudding is cooked.

If the pudding is still soft in the centre, it may need to be cooked for longer. Simply put it back in the steamer or slow cooker for a little longer.

Other indicators

You can also check if your Christmas pudding is cooked by looking at the steaming time. For example, Nigella's Ultimate Christmas Pudding recipe stipulates a steaming time of 5 hours, followed by 3 hours for the second steaming. If your pudding has not been steamed for this long, it may not be cooked.

Use a skewer to test if it's cooked

Using a skewer to test if your Christmas pudding is cooked is a simple and effective method. This technique is used for both large and small Christmas puddings. For a large pudding, insert a skewer through the foil and parchment paper. If the skewer comes out clean, your pudding is cooked. If not, patch up the hole with more foil and allow your pudding to steam for longer. For smaller puddings, insert a skewer into the centre of the pudding—if the skewer comes out clean, your pudding is ready. If not, continue steaming until the skewer comes out clean.

You can also use a skewer to test the temperature of your Christmas pudding. After removing the skewer from the centre of the pudding, touch the skewer to the inside of your wrist briefly. If the skewer is too hot to keep on your skin, your pudding is ready.

If you are reheating your Christmas pudding in the microwave, you can also use a skewer to check if it is hot throughout. Insert a metal skewer into the centre of the pudding, then carefully touch it to check if it is hot.

Ensure the water level is correct

Ensuring the water level is correct is crucial to successfully steaming a Christmas pudding. The water level should come halfway up the sides of the pudding basin, but not too high, as this could cause the water to get inside the foil or parchment lid and into the pudding. Top up the water roughly every 45 minutes or when necessary.

If you are using a pressure cooker, add water to come 2cm/1 inch up the sides of the basin.

Use a thermometer to check the temperature

Using a thermometer to check the temperature is a great way to ensure your Christmas pudding is cooked through. You can use a digital thermometer to check the temperature of your Christmas pudding. The minimum temperature you should be aiming for is 75˚C. This will ensure that your pudding is cooked through and safe to eat.

When checking the temperature, be sure to insert the thermometer into the centre of the pudding. This is the thickest part of the pudding and will take the longest to cook. If your pudding hasn't reached the desired temperature, don't worry! Simply continue steaming it and check the temperature at regular intervals.

It's worth noting that it's hard to overcook a Christmas pudding, so if you're unsure, it's better to cook it for longer. You can also use other methods to check if your pudding is cooked, such as inserting a skewer into the centre. If the skewer comes out clean, your pudding is likely done. However, using a thermometer is a more accurate way to tell if your pudding is cooked through.

Remember to allow your pudding to cool down before serving. Enjoy your delicious, safely cooked Christmas pudding!

Check the recipe for steaming times

Steaming times for Christmas puddings vary depending on the size of the pudding basin. For a large pudding, the initial steaming time is usually around 5 hours, followed by a second steaming of 3 hours before serving. Smaller puddings may only need 3 hours for the initial steaming and 3 hours for the second steaming.

It is important to follow the recipe instructions for steaming times to ensure that your pudding is cooked through. However, it is difficult to overcook a Christmas pudding, so if in doubt, it is better to steam for longer.

If you are using a pressure cooker, the cooking time may be reduced. For example, a butter-based pudding may only need 45 minutes in a pressure cooker, while a suet-based pudding may need up to 2 hours.

When steaming your Christmas pudding, make sure to keep the water level topped up and maintain a gentle simmer. This will ensure that your pudding cooks evenly and doesn't dry out.

Remember to allow enough time for the second steaming on Christmas Day, as this will ensure that your pudding is hot and ready to serve when you need it.

Frequently asked questions