BBC Good Food Stir-Up Sunday Cookalong: Make a Classic Christmas Pudding

BBC Good Food's Stir Up Sunday Cookalong: Everything You Need to Know

What is Stir Up Sunday?

Stir Up Sunday is the traditional day to make Christmas pudding, which falls on the last Sunday before Advent. It's a time-honored tradition that dates back to the 18th century, when families would gather to stir the pudding together.

The BBC Good Food Stir Up Sunday Cookalong

BBC Good Food is hosting a virtual cookalong on Stir Up Sunday, November 20th, 2022, at 5pm GMT. Join expert chefs Matt Tebbutt and Sophie Dahl as they guide you through the step-by-step process of making a classic Christmas pudding.

What You'll Need:

* Ingredients for the pudding (see recipe below)
* A large mixing bowl
* A wooden spoon
* A saucepan for melting the fat
* A pudding basin (2-liter/68-fl oz capacity)
* Greaseproof paper
* String

Christmas Pudding Recipe:

* 110g (4oz) mixed peel
* 110g (4oz) raisins
* 110g (4oz) sultanas
* 110g (4oz) currants
* 55g (2oz) chopped almonds
* 55g (2oz) glace cherries, chopped
* 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
* 175g (6oz) breadcrumbs, fresh or dried
* 150g (5oz) light brown muscovado sugar
* 1 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1 tsp mixed spice
* Zest of 1 lemon
* Zest of 1 orange
* 300ml (½ pint) milk
* 300ml (½ pint) stout
* 100g (3½oz) butter, melted and cooled

Instructions:

1. Place all the dried fruit, almonds, cherries, flour, breadcrumbs, sugar, cinnamon, mixed spice, lemon zest, and orange zest in a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
2. In a saucepan, gently heat the milk and stout until just simmering. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes.
3. Pour the warm milk mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well. Leave to cool completely.
4. Stir in the melted butter and transfer the pudding mixture to the prepared pudding basin.
5. Cover the pudding with greaseproof paper and secure with string.
6. Steam the pudding for 6 hours, topping up the water in the steamer as needed.
7. Remove the pudding from the steamer and store in a cool, dark place until Christmas Day.

Tips:

* You can make the pudding up to 3 months in advance.
* If you don't have a steamer, you can boil the pudding in a large saucepan of water. Just make sure the water level is halfway up the sides of the basin.
* To reheat the pudding, steam it for 2 hours on Christmas Day.

Conclusion

Join BBC Good Food's Stir Up Sunday Cookalong for a festive and informative experience. Learn the traditional way to make Christmas pudding and get ready to enjoy a delicious treat on Christmas Day.