Chocolate Cherry Christmas Pudding Recipes

CHOCOLATE & CHERRY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Drain the cherries in a sieve over a bowl. Cut them in half. Peel the pear, then grate it coarsely.
• In a large bowl, combine the cherries, pear, the raisins, sultanas and brandy. Stir well and cover with clingfilm.
• Heat in the microwave on high for 3 mins, then leave to cool for 5 mins to let the fruit plump up. Break the chocolate into squares while you wait.
• Tip the chocolate and butter into the hot fruit. Stir, then leave to melt. Let it cool, uncovered, for about 15 mins.
• Meanwhile, rub 1 tbsp butter around the inside of a 1-litre pudding basin.
• Lay two sheets of foil over each other and butter the one on top. Holding both sheets together, fold a 3cm pleat across the middle of the foil and set aside.
• Beat the eggs together in a small bowl. Sift the flour, sugar, mixed spice and cocoa powder on top of the chocolatey fruit, then add the breadcrumbs, eggs and ¼ tsp salt.
• Stir everything together with a wooden spoon - it will be quite a wet mixture. Tip it into the buttered basin.
• Cover the pudding with the buttered foil (buttery-side down), and scrunch it over the edge of the basin. Tie string tightly under the lip of the basin, and make a string handle to help you lower the basin in and out of the saucepan later.
• Trim the foil so that a frill of about 5cm is left sticking out, then tuck the frill up and under itself neatly. The aim is to keep the pudding watertight beneath.
• Put a heatproof saucer into the very large saucepan, then put the basin on top. Pour in just-boiled water to come halfway up the basin.
• Cover the pan and steam the pudding for 2½ hrs. Test the pudding is cooked by inserting a skewer through the foil - if there is any wet mixture, steam for 15 mins more then check again.The pan should be simmering rather than boiling hard. Top up the water levels as it cooks, if you need to.
• To store, let the pudding cool and leave in a cool dark place to mature. Don't unwrap the foil. You can make this pudding up to two months before eating.
• To reheat, steam in a pan for 30 mins, or microwave on medium for 5 mins. Remove the foil to microwave, covering with clingfilm instead.
• For the sauce, break the chocolate into squares. Put all the ingredients in a small pan and heat gently, stirring, until smooth. Serve the pudding topped with any remaining cherries, the sauce and a dollop of double cream.

DARK CHOCOLATE AND CHERRY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Steps:

• Mix together the dried fruit, treacle, olive oil, apple and whiskey and leave for at least 4 hours , or overnight if possible.
• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Add the egg to the soaked fruit and mix well.
• Finally add the dry ingredients and mix well, but do not over-mix.
• Place the mixture in a pudding basin, 617cm (6 1/2 in) in diameter and 9cm (3 1/2 in) deep, and cover with a circle of greaseproof paper.
• Place a large piece of foil on top of a large piece of greaseproof paper, then fold in the centre to make a pleat.
• Place the pleated papers on top of the pudding basin and use a long piece of string to tightly tie just below the rim of the basin.
• With an extra piece of string, tie a long loop across the top, you can use this as a handle to help lower and lift the pudding in and out of the pan.
• Place a heatproof sauce in the bottom of a large saucepan and sit the pudding on top.
• Fill the pan with enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the basin, then cover with a tightly fitting lid.
• Bring the water to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 4-5 hours.
• Check the water every couple of hours, and add extra boiling water as necessary to maintain the water level until the pudding had cooked.
• Serve with clotted cream.

CHOCOLATE-DRIED CHERRY BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Put the dark chocolate chips in a large heatproof bowl. In another large bowl, whisk together the eggs and brown sugar until well combined.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the cream, milk, brandy, orange zest, vanilla seeds, salt, and granulated sugar to a boil; stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the hot liquid over the dark chocolate chips and whisk until melted and smooth. While whisking constantly, pour the dark chocolate mixture into the eggs, mixing until combined. Add the bread and toss gently to coat. Transfer the bread mixture to the refrigerator and cool to room temperature. Stir in the chocolate chips and dried cherries. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Put eight 4-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet and lightly coat them with cooking spray.
• Stir the bread pudding mixture to evenly distribute the chocolate chips and cherries. Divide the mixture among the prepared ramekins. Sprinkle a little Turbinado sugar over the top of each pudding and bake until puffed and set, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.