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Last Minute Christmas Pudding

4.88 from 8 votes
Learn how to make Christmas Pudding at the last moment for the perfect dessert on your dinner table at Christmas time — with all the classic flavors.
Traditional Christmas Pudding by Irish chef Gemma Stafford

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Christmas Pudding is a huge part of my Christmas traditions. Growing up in Ireland my Mum would make them in October and have them all ready to give to Aunties and friends by the time the holidays came around.

I remember it being a big process because even after the puddings were mixed then they had to be wrapped up with string and foil and steamed. I do however have very fond memories of mixing the pudding batter in a big Mason Cash porcelain bowl and making a wish. All of us got to do it.

This was my very first time making Christmas Pudding. To be fair why would I make my own when my Mammy does such a great job. I am not going home to Ireland this year for Christmas like I usually do. I will be celebrating here in Los Angeles with my husband, Kevin, and Waffles (our dog). I will be starting my own traditions here with my American family and this is something that I definitely plan to carry on every Christmas. And with this recipe, you don’t have to make it months in advance. Just prepare it at least 24 hours in advance and you’ll be enjoying Christmas Pudding in no time.

 

Traditionally in Ireland our Christmas desserts are boozy and fruity. What’s not to love about that combination.

 

With all of the sugars and alcohol in the pudding it only gets better with time.

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Serve the pudding warm with freshly whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. The pudding is sweet so I like something creamy that cuts the sugar.

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No matter what you serve it would be a sin not to pour brandy over and light it on fire. It looks fantastic and makes it taste even better.

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I have you covered this holiday baking season so get more Christmas recipes, tips and tricks on my Holiday Baking Headquarters page.

Last Minute Christmas Pudding

4.88 from 8 votes
Learn how to make Christmas Pudding at the last moment for the perfect dessert on your dinner table at Christmas time — with all the classic flavors.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 2 medium puddings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Learn how to make Christmas Pudding at the last moment for the perfect dessert on your dinner table at Christmas time — with all the classic flavors.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 2 medium puddings

Ingredients

  • 125 g (4oz) molasses or treacle
  • 220 g (7oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 125 g (4oz) melted butter or shredded suet
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
  • 175 g (6oz) sultanas
  • 175 g (6oz) raisins
  • 125 g (4oz) currants
  • 50 g (2oz) candied peel
  • 25 g (1oz) blanched almonds
  • 1 large cooking apple , grated
  • 1/2 lemon finely grated rind and juice
  • 1 egg
  • 150 ml (1/4 pint) Guinness or stout
  • 75 ml (3 floz) milk
  • 2 tablespoons brandy to serve

Instructions

  • Put the dry ingredients, fruit, candied peel and almonds in a large bowl and mix well together
  • Add in the grated apple, lemon rind and juice, egg, treacle, melted butter, Guinness and milk.*
  • Stir well until you get a soft dropping consistency. You might need to add more milk then in the recipe
  • Grease a 2 pint pudding basin (or whatever size you have) with butter and fill with your mix 3/4 of the way. Lay a circle of grease proof on top and snap on the lid tightly
  • Place in the fridge over night
  • Steam for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. you will know when it is done because the top will be dark all over. If it is a little pale on top give it more time.
  • Once done remove from the steamer and let them cool down at room temperature.
  • You can eat them straight away or store them in a dark cool place until ready to eat.
  • One the day you want to serve it, re steam for 2 hours to get them nicely heated through.
  • To serve pour the brandy over and light on fire. Serve with vanilla ice cream AND whipped cream!
  • * You can also use apple cider in this recipe - the europena version or the American version.

 

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Bradley Jones
Bradley Jones
4 days ago

Just a question. Being from Ireland and living in America. Which measure are you using, imperial or standard American measure, example imperial pint is 20 oz and American is 16 oz also in the directions it says to pour into a 2 pint basin and in the narrative description it says it makes 2 medium puddings so do I need to use two 2 pint basins? Next question…For the holidays for the most part it is just my wife and I so a pudding this size would take us into the following July to finish it (diet restrictions). If I… Read more »

Vicki
Vicki
9 months ago

Can you substitute the stout or guinness with regular beer or something else?

Fiona
Fiona
9 months ago

Hi Gemma, I have a steamer that sits on top of the pot of water, is this type of steamer suitable for steaming all of your Xmas puddings, thank you

IRIS HARPER
IRIS HARPER
1 year ago

Hi gemma i wonder if you can help me please . I amgoing to make your last minute christmas pudding as i am very late in making one .The quirey is when i make the first part of the pudding you say to put it in the fridge over night but unfortunatly my frige is a small one and it is full .Can i put it in a cool dark larder instead please . I would very much like your answer on this as it is so close to christmas and my family expect a pudding for the third coure… Read more »

Kee
Kee
1 year ago

I love that you have a recipe for people like me, who aren’t organized enough to prepare a Christmas dish months in advance! 😆 A few questions, though, as this is my first time: the fruit doesn’t require soaking first? And where can one typically find candied peel in North America (I’m in Canada)? I will have to blanch my own almonds but then they will still be whole – do they need dicing or anything before going in the pudding? Thank you!

Leah
Leah
1 year ago

Can you use a gluten free bread crumb in this recipe? Really looking forward to this as I completely lost track of when I needed to make the traditional style this year!

Rhonda
Rhonda
2 years ago

Hi Gemma, I made this back in November and put it in the back of my cupboard and forgot about it!!!! (I had made 2, and one was eaten right on schedule) So, I’m wondering if it is still good to eat 3 months later??

SZ Nix
SZ Nix
2 years ago

Hi. Just made the pudding, it’s in the fridge. I’m afraid the mixture might be a bit too wet…

Emily
Emily
2 years ago

Hi Gemma, is there any way to use dark brown sugar instead of molasses/treacle? I am very excited to try this recipe. Thanks so much.

Marina Lobo
Marina Lobo
2 years ago

Great recipe Gemma…. the pudding turned out perfect!! I doubled the recipe and got three 1kg puddings…. one got eaten up right away!! Cant wait until Christmas to share the other two with my family!! Thanks again!!
Love,
Marina.

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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