ENGLISH CHRISTMAS RECIPES RECIPES

Steps:

• Grease an 8 inch square baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, mixed spice, cinnamon and lemon zest. Stir with a whisk until blended. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing until each one is blended in. Stir in the dry ingredients just until moistened, then fold in the raisins, golden raisins, currants, cherries and almonds.
• Spoon into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Make a slight impression in the center with the back of a spoon so the cake will turn out level. Cover and leave in a cool place overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Place the cake pan on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 4 hours in the preheated oven. When the cake is done, a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. Cool in the pan for 1 hour, then turn out onto a wire rack and remove the paper. When completely cool, poke with a skewer every inch or so, and spoon brandy into the holes. Wrap in waxed paper and store in a cool place until serving.

Steps:

• Lightly butter a 1.4-litre (21/2-pint) pudding basin.
• Cut a small square of foil and press into the base of the basin.
• Measure the sultanas, raisins, apricots and apple into a bowl with the orange juice.
• Add the measured brandy or rum and leave to marinate for about one hour.
• Put the measured butter, sugar and grated orange rind into a large bowl and cream together with a wooden spoon or a hand-held electric whisk until light and fluffy, gradually beat in the eggs, adding a little flour if the mixture starts to curdle.
• Sift together the flour and mixed spice, then fold into the creamed mixture with the breadcrumbs and the nuts.
• Add the dried fruits, apple and liquid and stir well.
• Spoon into the prepared pudding basin, pressing the mixture down, and level the top with the back of a spoon.
• Cover the pudding with a layer of greaseproof paper and foil, both pleated across the middle to allow for expansion.
• Tie securely with string and trim off excess paper and foil with scissors***.
• TO STEAM, put the pudding in the top of a steamer filled with simmering water, cover with a lid and steam for about eight hours, topping up the water as necessary.
• TO BOIL, put a metal jam-jar lid into the base of a large pan to act as a trivet. Put the pudding on to this and pour in enough boiling water to come one-third of the way up the bowl. Cover with a lid, bring the water back to the boil, then simmer for about seven hours, until the pudding is a glorious deep brown colour, topping up the water as necessary.
• Remove the pudding from the steamer or pan and cool completely.
• Make holes in the pudding with a fine skewer and pour in a little more brandy or rum to feed.
• Discard the paper and foil and replace with fresh. Store in a cool, dry place.
• On Christmas Day, steam or boil the pudding for about an hour to reheat. Turn the pudding on to a serving plate.
• To flame, warm 3-4 tablespoons brandy or rum in a small pan, pour it over the hot pudding and set light to it.
• Serve with Rum Sauce or Brandy Butter.