Christmas Plum Pudding

Ingredients

• 4 plums , pitted and chopped
• 2.5 cups fresh bread crumbs
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 4 ounces shredded suet
• 3 large eggs , beaten
• 1 small carrot , grated
• 1 apple - peeled , cored and shredded
• 0.38 cups halved candied cherries
• 0.38 cups dried currants
• 0.38 cups golden raisins
• 4 ounces candied mixed fruit peel , chopped
• 0.33 cups raisins
• 0.5 cups chopped blanched almonds
• 0.5 cups dark brown sugar
• 2 ounces preserved stem ginger in syrup , chopped
• 0.5 cups chopped walnuts
• 0.13 cups ground almonds
• 1 lemon , juiced and zested
• 1.5 teaspoons mixed spice
• 0.75 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 cups ale

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Combine plums, bread crumbs, flour, suet, eggs, carrot, apple, cherries, currants, golden raisins, mixed fruit peel, raisins, chopped blanched almonds, brown sugar, stem ginger, walnuts, ground almonds, lemon juice and zest, mixed spice, and baking powder in a large bowl; stir in ale and mix well. Let each family member take a turn stirring and make a wish.

3. 3

   Grease 2 large or 4 small pudding basins. Fill with pudding mixture about 7/8 full.

4. 4

   Cover tightly with greased waxed paper, then foil; secure with string.

5. 5

   Stand puddings on a trivet in a large pot of boiling water that reaches halfway up the sides of the pudding basin.

6. 6

   Steam puddings over medium-low heat in boiling water 10 hours for large puddings, 5 hours for small puddings, topping up water regularly until puddings are quite firm and set.