English Pudding Recipes

ENGLISH STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-inch round or square baking dish. Sift the flour and baking powder onto a sheet of waxed paper. Chop the dates fine. Place in a small bowl and add the boiling water and baking soda; set aside. In a bowl of electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add the date mixture to the batter and fold until blended with a rubber spatula. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake until pudding is set and firm on top, about 35 minutes. Remove from oven to a wire rack.
• Toffee Sauce: Combine the butter, heavy cream and brown sugar in a small heavy saucepan; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil gently over medium low heat until mixture is thickened, about 8 minutes. Preheat broiler. Spoon about 1/3 cup of the sauce over the pudding. Spread evenly on top. Place pudding under the broiler until the topping is bubbly, about 1 minute. Serve immediately spooned into dessert bowls. Drizzle with toffee sauce and top with a spoonful of whipped cream.

ENGLISH PUDDING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix fruits and dry ingredients first. Then mix with lightly beaten eggs and liquids. Grease the bottom of a bowl large enough to hold pudding and press mixture into it. Place waxed paper over the top and then foil over that, crimping it around the edges to keep firm. Either steam for 2 hours in pressure cooker with about 2 inches water or put in pan with water on the stove and steam for 4 hours. Keep checking water in pan to prevent burning. Store well wrapped for 3 to 4 months.
• To make the brandy cream, add butter, sugar and brandy in a stand mixer and mix on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Steam for 1 hour before serving, then release the pudding mold into the center of a plate. Sprinkle confectioners' sugar. Warm 1/4 cup of cognac in a small pot. Cup the cognac in a large basting spoon until it flames, then pour the cognac over the pudding. Top with a dollop of the brandy cream. Slice and serve.

TRADITIONAL YORKSHIRE PUDDING

Steps:

• Whisk eggs and salt together in a bowl until light and frothy. Whisk in flour and milk until smooth and lump-free; batter will be thin and barely coat the back of a spoon.
• Transfer batter to a 4-cup measuring cup and chill in the refrigerator, at least 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Fill each cup of a 12-cup nonstick muffin tin with 1 tablespoon melted beef fat; use your finger to grease the sides and tops of the cups. Place the muffin tin on a baking sheet.
• Heat in the preheated oven on the middle rack until fat is smoking hot, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and fill each muffin cup halfway full with batter.
• Bake pudding in the preheated oven until browned and fully puffed, about 25 minutes more. Remove from the oven and immediately poke a hole in the center of each to release steam. Serve hot, warm, or room-temperature.

THE ULTIMATE ENGLISH CHRISTMAS PUDDING

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.