Traditional Mandarin Christmas Pudding
Equipment
- 1.5-liter pudding basin
- aluminum foil
- Heat-proof string
- Large saucepan or slow cooker
- Mixing bowls
- Parchment paper
- Serrated knife
Ingredients
To Serve
- Brandy butter or pouring cream
Fruit Mixture
- 1 medium Bramley apple peeled, cored and grated
- 50 g blanched almonds chopped
- 50 ml orange liqueur
- 140 g currants
- 140 g glacé cherries halved
- 140 g raisins
- 140 g sultanas
- 150 ml medium or sweet sherry
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
Pudding Batter
- 1 heaped teaspoon mixed spice
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 140 g cold butter plus extra for greasing
- 140 g self-raising flour
- 175 g dark muscovado sugar
- 175 g fresh white breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons dark muscovado sugar for coating
Mandarin Center
- 1 firm mandarin or seedless clementine about 140 g
- 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
- 400 g granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine the raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, almonds, grated apple, sherry, orange liqueur, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Cover and soak overnight.
- Simmer the whole mandarin for 30 minutes until tender.
- Reserve 300 ml of the cooking liquid.
- Add the sugar to the reserved liquid and heat until dissolved.
- Pierce the mandarin several times.
- Add it to the syrup with the orange liqueur.
- Simmer for 45 minutes.
- Leave the fruit to cool completely in the syrup.
- Grease the pudding basin with butter.
- Coat the inside with the extra muscovado sugar.
- Mix the flour, breadcrumbs, and mixed spice.
- Grate the cold butter into the dry ingredients.
- Stir in the beaten eggs.
- Fold in the soaked fruit mixture.
- Spoon one-third of the batter into the basin.
- Place the syrup-soaked mandarin in the center.
- Cover with the remaining batter.
- Level the surface gently.
- Cover with buttered parchment paper and aluminum foil.
- Tie securely with heat-proof string.
- Steam for 6 hours or cook in a slow cooker for about 8½ hours.
- Cool completely.
- Store in a cool, dark place to mature.
- Reheat by steaming for 1 hour before serving.
- Slice carefully to reveal the mandarin center.
- Serve warm with brandy butter or pouring cream.
Notes & Wine Advice
Recipe Notes
Soaking the fruit overnight creates a deeper flavor and a wonderfully moist pudding. Prepare the pudding several weeks before Christmas and feed it occasionally with a little extra sherry for an even richer taste. Steam gently throughout the cooking time and check the water level regularly. Slice with a serrated knife to reveal the beautiful mandarin hidden in the center.Wine Advice
A glass of Banyuls complements the rich fruit and caramel notes perfectly. For another festive pairing, serve with a chilled Dessert Wine.Nutrition values
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About Traditional Mandarin Christmas Pudding
Traditional Mandarin Christmas Pudding is a spectacular British holiday dessert that brings together generations of Christmas tradition with a beautiful citrus surprise hidden inside. Rich dried fruits, warm spices, sherry, toasted almonds, and fresh breadcrumbs create the classic steamed pudding, while a whole syrup-soaked mandarin in the center adds a burst of color and fragrant sweetness to every slice. This impressive dessert is perfect for Christmas dinner and becomes even more flavorful as it matures.
Why You’ll Love Traditional Mandarin Christmas Pudding
This festive steamed pudding combines traditional ingredients with an elegant presentation. Soaking the fruit overnight allows the flavors to develop fully before the long steaming process creates its wonderfully moist texture. If you enjoy festive baking, discover our Christmas Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Rustic Baking Recipes, Fruit Recipes, and English Recipes.
Preparing the Festive Steamed Pudding
The fruit mixture absorbs the sherry, orange liqueur, and citrus overnight before being folded into a buttery batter filled with breadcrumbs and warming spices. A whole mandarin is gently cooked in citrus syrup before being placed in the center of the pudding. During steaming, all the flavors blend together beautifully while the hidden fruit remains perfectly intact for a dramatic presentation when sliced.
Serving Traditional Mandarin Christmas Pudding
Traditional Mandarin Christmas Pudding is best served warm with brandy butter, pouring cream, vanilla custard, or lightly whipped cream. The hidden mandarin creates an eye-catching centerpiece that’s guaranteed to impress family and guests during Christmas dinner. Leftovers are equally delicious warmed the following day or enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea.
Storage Tips
Wrap the cooled pudding securely and store it in a cool, dark place until Christmas. Reheat by steaming for about one hour before serving to restore its wonderfully moist texture. Proper storage allows the flavors to mature and become even richer over time. For additional food safety guidance, visit the FDA Food Safety website.
Festive steamed pudding is a timeless Christmas dessert that rewards patience with rich flavor, beautiful presentation, and a memorable holiday tradition everyone will enjoy.