Classic Christmas Pudding Recipes

Nothing says Christmas quite like a rich, steamed Christmas pudding arriving at the table to applause. Whether you're running a café, restaurant, club or just cooking for a crowd at home, a good Christmas pudding recipe – and the right gear – makes all the difference.

At Hospitality Connect in Penrith, we supply Avanti Pudding Trays and Chef Inox Mixing Bowls to help you create perfectly cooked, beautifully presented puddings every time.

Why the Right Cookware Matters for Christmas Pudding

Christmas puddings are dense, rich and full of fruit. That means they need even heat distribution, gentle consistent steaming, and reliable sturdy mixing bowls that can handle heavy mixtures.

Using quality commercial-grade equipment ensures your puddings cook evenly, turn out cleanly, and present beautifully every time.

Avanti Pudding Trays – Built for Perfect Puddings

Avanti Pudding Trays, available at Hospitality Connect, are ideal because they're designed specifically for steamed and baked puddings.

These trays distribute heat evenly for consistent results, are easy to grease and line (helping your pudding release cleanly), and come in multiple sizes for individual serves or family-sized puddings.

Whether you're preparing a single large pudding or a dozen individual serves for your dessert menu, Avanti trays deliver professional results.

Chef Inox Mixing Bowls – Professional Quality for Heavy Mixes

Chef Inox Mixing Bowls, also available from Hospitality Connect, are a favourite in commercial kitchens because they're durable and built for commercial use.

These bowls are lightweight yet sturdy – ideal for heavy fruit mixtures. They're easy to clean and stack, and available in multiple sizes, perfect for scaling recipes up or down.

The stainless steel construction means they won't absorb odours or stains, even when working with heavily spiced fruit batters.

Classic Steamed Christmas Pudding Recipe

(Perfect in an Avanti Pudding Tray)

This classic pudding is rich, moist and packed with flavour – ideal for cafés, restaurants or your Christmas Day dessert at home.

Serves

• 1 large pudding (8–10 serves), or
• Several smaller puddings depending on the size of your Avanti Pudding Trays

Ingredients

Fruit Mix:

• 250 g sultanas
• 250 g raisins
• 125 g currants
• 80 g mixed peel (optional but traditional)
• 80 g chopped dried apricots or dates
• 1 small apple, peeled and grated
• Zest of 1 orange
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 150 mL brandy, rum or orange juice (for an alcohol-free option)

Pudding Batter:

• 200 g unsalted butter, softened
• 200 g brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3 large eggs
• 200 g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 100 g fresh breadcrumbs
• 50 g chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
• 2–3 Tbsp milk (if needed to loosen mixture)

Equipment

• 1 x large Chef Inox Mixing Bowl
• 1 x Avanti Pudding Tray with lid (or baking paper/foil cover)
• Baking paper & foil
• Kitchen string
• Large stockpot or saucepan with lid
• Trivet or small rack for steaming

Method: Step-by-Step Christmas Pudding

1. Soak the Fruit (ideally overnight)

1. In a Chef Inox Mixing Bowl, combine sultanas, raisins, currants, mixed peel, apricots/dates, grated apple, orange zest and lemon zest.
2. Pour over the brandy, rum or orange juice.
3. Stir well, cover and leave to soak for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

This gives you plump, juicy fruit and a deeper, more complex flavour.

2. Prepare the Avanti Pudding Tray

1. Grease the inside of your Avanti Pudding Tray with butter or oil.
2. Line the base with a circle of baking paper.
3. Lightly flour the sides if you want extra help with release.

3. Make the Batter

1. In another Chef Inox Mixing Bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Sift in the flour, baking powder and spices (cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg).
4. Fold through the breadcrumbs and nuts (if using).
5. Add the soaked fruit (with any remaining liquid) to the batter and mix thoroughly.
6. If the mixture is very stiff, add 2–3 tablespoons of milk until it slowly drops from the spoon.

You're aiming for a thick but spoonable mixture.

4. Fill the Pudding Tray

1. Spoon the batter into your Avanti Pudding Tray, leaving about 1–2 cm at the top for expansion.
2. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon and tap the tray gently on the bench to remove air pockets.

If your tray doesn't have a lid, cover with a layer of baking paper and then a layer of foil. Pleat both in the centre to allow room for rising, and secure with kitchen string around the rim.

5. Steam the Pudding

1. Place a trivet or upside-down saucer in the base of a large pot.
2. Sit the Avanti Pudding Tray on the trivet.
3. Pour boiling water into the pot until it comes about halfway up the side of the tray.
4. Cover with a lid and bring back to a gentle simmer.

Steam for 3–3½ hours, checking occasionally to top up with hot water so the pot doesn't boil dry.

You'll know it's done when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out mostly clean, and the pudding feels firm and slightly springy.

6. Rest, Store & Reheat

• Let the pudding cool slightly in the tray.
• Turn out carefully onto a plate, or allow it to cool completely in the tray and then wrap.
• Wrap in fresh baking paper and foil and store in the fridge or a cool place.

To reheat on Christmas Day, steam again for 1–1½ hours until hot through, or slice and reheat individual portions in the microwave for service.

Serve with brandy custard, vanilla custard, cream or ice cream.

Mini Christmas Puddings – Ideal for Cafés & Catering

Using smaller Avanti Pudding Trays or moulds from Hospitality Connect, you can turn the same mixture into individual puddings perfect for commercial dessert menus.

How to Adapt the Recipe

• Prepare the mixture as above.
• Grease and line mini Avanti trays or moulds.
• Fill about ¾ full.
• Steam for 45–60 minutes (depending on size), rather than 3+ hours.

These mini puddings are perfectly portioned for dessert menus, easy to plate beautifully, and simple to reheat and serve during busy services.

Why Buy Your Christmas Gear from Hospitality Connect?

At Hospitality Connect, we specialise in quality hospitality equipment for commercial and serious home kitchens.

From our Penrith showroom at 7/20 Hickeys Road, Penrith, and online store, we offer:

• Avanti Pudding Trays in multiple sizes
• Chef Inox Mixing Bowls and utensils
• Professional cookware, bakeware, and smallwares for Christmas and year-round service
• Expert advice for café, bakery, and restaurant kitchens

FAQ – Christmas Pudding, Pudding Trays & Mixing Bowls

Can I bake this Christmas pudding instead of steaming it?

You can bake it, but traditional Christmas pudding is best steamed for a moist, rich texture.

If you do bake, place the Avanti Pudding Tray in a water bath (bain-marie) in the oven and bake low and slow (around 150–160°C), checking for doneness with a skewer.

Steaming, however, gives the most classic and reliable result.

Do I need to soak the fruit overnight?

Soaking overnight isn't strictly essential, but it improves flavour and texture. The fruit plumps up and becomes juicier, and the flavours of the brandy or juice penetrate more deeply.

If you're short on time, try to soak for at least 4 hours.

How do Avanti Pudding Trays help?

Avanti Pudding Trays are designed specifically for puddings, so they distribute heat evenly for consistent cooking, are simple to grease and line for easy turning out, and come in sizes that suit both home cooks and commercial kitchens.

They're a great choice if you want reliable results and a professional finish.

Why are Chef Inox Mixing Bowls recommended?

Chef Inox Mixing Bowls are strong enough for dense fruit batter, lightweight and easy to handle when mixing large quantities, and made from stainless steel which doesn't absorb odours or stains.

They're ideal for commercial venues and home bakers who want professional-grade gear.

How far in advance can I make a Christmas pudding?

Many people make their Christmas pudding several weeks in advance, as the flavours mature over time.

If using alcohol and following safe storage practices, store in a cool, dark place or fridge, well wrapped, then re-steam on the day to heat through.

If you're unsure about long-term storage, you can refrigerate or freeze and then reheat before serving.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or alcohol-free?

Yes. For dairy-free, replace butter with a quality dairy-free margarine or plant-based baking spread.

For alcohol-free, use orange juice or apple juice instead of brandy or rum.

The method stays the same; just note the flavour will be slightly different (still delicious!).

Where can I buy Avanti Pudding Trays and Chef Inox Mixing Bowls?

You can purchase both directly from Hospitality Connect:

• Visit our showroom at 7/20 Hickeys Road, Penrith, NSW
• Shop online at hospitalityconnect.com.au
• Call our team for advice on the right sizes and quantities

Our team can help you pick the right equipment for home, café, bakery or restaurant use.