Old-Fashioned Plum Pudding Recipe

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs lightly until they are foamy, and then add the sugar and whichever fat you are using.

Step 2

Add the lemon juice or brandy, the nutmeg, and the allspice and stir until combined.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, mix raisins, currents, citron and flour together, making sure the fruit is coated in the flour.

Step 4

Fold in the fruit and flour mixture until well incorporated with the other ingredients.

Step 5

Prepare your pudding cloth or mold by greasing it well (see information in the article above about the different methods for boiling the pudding.)

Step 6

Place your pudding batter in your greased cloth or mold. If using a cloth, tie the cloth tightly, leaving enough space for the pudding to expand a bit. If using a bowl as a substitute for a mold, use the instructions in this video for securing your bowl.

Step 7

Heat a large pot of water until it reaches a steady boil. You want a good rolling boil if you are using a cloth and a steady boil if using the bowl method but not such a strong boil that water will splash over the top of the tin foil covering the bowl. Using a bowl tall enough to stick out of the water level a couple of inches (while also allowing the pudding batter itself to be under the water level) will help the pudding to cook better. If you are using a cloth, you want the pudding to be fully submerged in the water at all times.

Step 8

Keep another pot of hot water simmering on the stove so that you can refill your larger pot as needed without allowing the water temperature to drop below a boil. This will help the pudding to cook more evenly.

Step 9

Ever half hour or so, check the water level to make sure that it is still ok, and add more water as needed.

Step 10

After about 4 1/2 to 5 hours the pudding will be done and you can carefully take it out of the water using the string that you tied it up with. (If in doubt, it's better to let the pudding go for the 5 hours because it's not likely to be overdone if you let it boil a bit longer.

Step 11

Let the pudding cool just enough that you can touch it without burning yourself, and then carefully turn it out of it's cloth or mold onto a plate.

Step 12

Serve with pudding sauce, if desired, and enjoy!