Jen's Christmas Pudding

Preparation

• 1
  Lightly butter a pudding dish.
• 2
  Place the dried fruits, apple, orange, candied peel and lemon juice into a large mixing bowl.
• 3
  Add the brandy and stir well.
• 4
  Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and leave to marinate overnight.
• 5
  Combine the flour, cinnamon and mixed spice, add the suet, lemon and orange zest along with the sugar
• 6
  nuts and bread crumbs.
• 7
  Now stir again until all the ingredients are well combined.
• 8
  Finally add the marinated dried fruits and stir again.
• 9
  Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl then stir quickly into the dry ingredients.
• 10
  Involve the family and allow each member to make a wish and throw a few coins in.
• 11
  Spoon the mixture in to the pudding basin and cover with a double layer of greaseproof paper or baking parchment, then a layer of aluminum foil and tie securely with string.
• 12
  Place the pudding in a steamer set over a saucepan of simmering water and steam the pudding for 7 hours.
• 13
  Ensure that the water is replenished.
• 14
  The pudding should be a deep brown color when cooked.
• 15
  Remove the pudding from the steamer, cool completely.
• 16
  Remove it from the paper and poke it with a skewer and pour some brandy over the top.
• 17
  Cover with greaseproof paper and secure it with string.
• 18
  Store the pudding in a cool dry place until it is ready to be served.
• 19
  On Christmas day, reheat the pudding by steaming again for about an hour.
• 20
  Serve with Brandy or Rum Sauce, Brandy Butter or Custard. Delish!