A Classic Christmas Pudding Recipe

From retrofoodrecipes.com

• Ready In: 8 hrs
• Yields: 7 1/2 pints

Ingredients

• 8  ounces plain flour
• 1  lb  fresh breadcrumb
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2  teaspoons mixed spice
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  orange
• 1  lemon
• 1 1⁄2 lbs suet
• 1  lb brown sugar
• 1  lb currants
• 8  ounces sultanas
• 1  lb raisins
• 8  ounces  glace cherries (Cut into Quarters)
• 1  lb prune (Stoned & Chopped)
• 4  ounces  candied peel (Chopped)
• 2  ounces  ground almonds
• 1 1⁄2 lbs cooking apples
• 1  medium carrot
• 8  eggs
• 1  wineglass brandy
• 1  pint  barley wine or 1  pint milk

Directions

1. These ingredients will make puddings to fill basins totaling 7 1/2 pints. If this is too much for your family use half quantity of all the ingredients and make 2 smaller puddings or 1 large one.
2. Put the flour, breadcrumbs, salt, mixed spice, grated nutmeg and the grated rinds of the orange and lemon into a large bowl. Chop the suet and add to the dry ingredients with the sugar; mix thoroughly. Add the fruit to the dry mix together with almonds. Stir very well. Peel and core the apples, chop and add to the mixture together with the grated carrot.
3. Beat the eggs and add to the pudding with the juice from the orange and lemon, the brandy and the barley wine or milk. Mix all very thoroughly and leave for 1 day, stirring occasionally. The mixture should 'squeak' when mixed - if it seems too dry, add 1 or 2 more eggs.
4. Turn the mixture into greased pudding basins filling them to the brim. Seal the tops well with a flour and water paste (1 lb /450g plain flour mixed to a stiff dough with approximately 1/2 pint / 300ml) cold water, cover with greaseproof paper, tie down well and boil the puddings for 8 hours.
5. Remove the greaseproof paper and flour and water paste and leave the puddings to cool. Cover with fresh greaseproof paper and store in a dry cool place. When required, boil the puddings for 2-4 hours depending on the size.
6. NB: For a nice glossy Christmas pudding you can dust the greased basins with brown sugar before putting in the mixture.