Christmas Pudding

Ingredients:

Melted butter, to grease

375g dried mixed fruit

75g Coles glace cherries, quartered

75g dried figs, chopped

75g dried pears, chopped

75g Coles Dried Cranberries

75g pitted dried dates, chopped

2 tbsp finely grated orange rind

1 cup (250ml) orange juice

1/3 cup (80ml) brandy

1 cup (150g) plain flour

1 cup (150g) self-rising flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp ground nutmeg

250g unsalted butter, melted, cooled

1 cup (220g) firmly packed brown sugar

3 eggs, lightly whisked

Custard, ice-cream, or brandy butter, to serve

Method

Step 1

Brush an 8 cup (2 litre) pudding basin with Melted butter, to grease. Line the base with rounds of baking paper.

Step 2

Combine the 375g dried mixed fruit, 75g glace cherries, quartered, 75g dried figs, chopped, 75g dried pears, chopped, 75g Dried Cranberries, 75g pitted dried dates, chopped, 2 tbsp finely grated orange rind and 1 cup (250ml) orange juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, or until fruits soften. Remove from heat and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Add the 1/3 cup (80ml) brandy and stir to combine.

Step 3

Sift combined 1 cup (150g) plain flour, 1 cup (150g) self-rising flour, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp mixed spice and 1 tsp ground nutmeg into a large bowl. Add fruit mixture, 250g unsalted butter, melted, cooled, 1 cup (220g) firmly packed brown sugar and 3 eggs, lightly whisked and stir until well combined. Gently spoon mixture into prepared pudding steamer, smooth top, and secure the lid.

Step 4

Place pudding basin into a large saucepan. Pour in enough boiling water to combine halfway up the side of the pan. Place over medium heat and bring to the boil. Cook, covered, topping up with extra boiling water, if necessary, for 5 hours 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the pudding comes out clean.

Step 5

Remove steamer from saucepan and set aside for 10 minutes before turning onto a serving plate. Serve immediately with Custard, ice-cream, or brandy butter.