Get ready to spice up your holiday season with this mind-blowingly easy slow cooker Christmas pudding recipe. Looking for the ultimate Christmas pudding recipe? Your search ends here. This is a must-try slow cooker recipe that will elevate your holiday dessert game. Get ready to impress your loved ones with a pudding that is rich, moist, and bursting with festive flavours.
My slow cooker Christmas pudding is a great way to save cooking costs but still produce an incredible Christmas pudding. Christmas puddings are a must-have at Christmas in my house. However, with the cost of living so high, there is no way I’m going to be steaming mine for hours on end on the hob. So it’s time for the slow cooker Christmas pudding to make an appearance.
I love recipes that I can prep and leave, especially at Christmas. Making a Christmas pudding recipe in a slow cooker is fun but doesn’t require lots of attention. You can scale up or down depending on your guests, making the house smell wonderful as it cooks.
Top Questions
How long does it take to reheat a Christmas pudding in a slow cooker?
Can you make Christmas pudding without steaming?
Can you steam in a slow cooker?
Can you overcook a Christmas pudding?
How do I know my Christmas pudding is cooked?
What do you traditionally put in a Christmas pudding?
Why you’ll love this Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding recipe
This recipe answers the question on everyone’s lips “How to steam a Christmas pudding in a slow cooker”. It’s simple and means you can enjoy a fresh Christmas Pudding without all the hassle.
It’s full of spices, developed a slow cooker Christmas pudding Nigella recipe, I added my own mix of festive spices (some extra nuts too) and adding some notes on the best way to serve your Christmas Pudding in a slow cooker.
You can use any slow cooker, but I found this recipe is best as a Morphy Richards slow cooker Christmas pudding. It’s simple to use and I’ve got the settings to come out perfect every time.
Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding Ingredients
For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.
CHOPPED ALMONDS
Sweet, nutty and perfect for adding a little crunch to your Christmas pudding. I loved adding almonds to the classic Christmas pudding recipe. You can always omit them if they are not to your taste but I just think they add that extra wow factor.
CHRISTMAS SPICES
They taste wonderful, but in my opinion, Christmas spices smell even better than they taste. Whilst the slow cooker Christmas pudding cooks your house is filled with the smells of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.
DRIED FRUITS
For this version of the Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding Nigella style, I used a mix of cherries, raisins, cranberries, sultanas, currants and 1 chopped apple to give my Christmas pudding the warm, wintery flavour. You can use any mix of dried fruits or candied peels you like!
How to make Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding – step by step
Combine all your fruits, chopped nuts, spices and brandy, stout and orange juice into a bowl and stir together.
For best results leave them to soak overnight before moving on to the next step.
Once you’ve let your fruit fully soak, add the butter, eggs, suet and flour.
Combine until everything is mixed together and transfer the mix to your greased and lined tins.
For a traditional Christmas pudding look, I used pudding basins. Then cook your individual Slow cooker Christmas puddings following my slow cooker instructions below.
How to steam Christmas pudding in a slow cooker
Put the kettle on to boil.
Take a large sheet of foil and greaseproof paper. Butter the greaseproof paper/ baking parchment and lay it face up on top of the foil layer.
Make a crease in the two together and wrap over the bowl securing it with string about 3cm down the pudding basin. The butter side should be facing the pudding with the foil on the outside. You can cover it with loose-fitting clingfilm and string instead if you want.
Place the Christmas pudding basin into the slow cooker. Pour the boiled water into the slow cooker so it comes up to 5cm from the top of the basin.
Set the slow cooker to low and leave for 8-9 hours. You can also do it as 4 hours on medium and 3 hours on high.
When it is cooked the Christmas pudding should have risen slightly and have a darker top. You can serve it straight away or allow to cool and store for later.
It really is that easy to steam Christmas pudding in a slow cooker.
Top Tips
Don’t forget to add Christmas spices to your Christmas Pudding mix. I’ve tried lots of different combos and this seems to be the best, the flavours are well-balanced and the cinnamon gives just enough sweetness.
Grease and line your Christmas Pudding tines with butter and sugar. You’ll also want to add a circle of baking/ parchment paper to the top to stop it from sticking.
Always read the instructions on your slow cooker and adjust depending on the size and make. My instructions are only a guide.
Serving Suggestions
Christmas Pudding is of course made for your Christmas dinner dessert. It’s perfect when served warm with lit brandy.
If serving and lighting the brandy at the table keep any long hair out of the way. If your brandy is a little aged or opened last year and not touched since it may not light or burn for as long.
You can serve a Slow cooker Christmas Pudding with fresh cream, ice cream (both) or hot caramel sauce (this is my personally favourite).
Equipment
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- Kitchen Scales
- Mixing bowl
- 1 Pudding Basin(0.9litre/16cm/6″) – or use two small ones and reduce the cooking time)
- Measuring spoons
- Greaseproof paper / Baking parchment
- aluminium foil
- Clingfilm / Saran wrap
- Grater
- Slow Cooker
Substitutions and variations
Vegetarian Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding
Omit the suet and swap for your favourite plant-based alternative. It will still make for a wonderful individual slow-cooker Christmas pudding.
If you’re looking for more plant-based Christmas alternatives, check out my slow cooker vegan mincemeat recipe.
Storing Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding / Making ahead of time options
You’ll know your shop-bought versions last for year after year. This Christmas pudding needs to be kept in an air container once baked and will last in the fridge for a few days. You can make the fruit and nut mix the day before and allow it to soak overnight and then simply add the rest of the ingredients when you’re ready to cook.
As the slow cooker Christmas pudding takes 3 hours to cook, you can make it in the morning and allow it to steam slowly as the day goes by so it’s piping hot and ready for dessert.
FAQS
How long does it take to reheat a Christmas pudding in a slow cooker?
It takes about 1 hour to reheat a Christmas pudding in the slow cooker on low, it takes about half this time if you are cooking it on a high heat setting. I would recommend heating up your Christmas pudding in the microwave for 1 minute bursts as this will be much quicker.
Can you make Christmas pudding without steaming?
Yes! You can cook your Christmas pudding in the microwave if you have the right recipe. My recipe is for a steamed Christmas pudding as I love how moist it makes the pudding but with some small adaptions, you could make Christmas pudding without steaming.
Can you steam in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can steam in a slow cooker. Just wrap your Christmas pudding in tinfoil so as not to let any moisture in and fill your low cooker about 1/4 with water. Your slow cooker will then steam if placed on high or low heat.
Can you overcook a Christmas pudding?
It’s really hard to overcook a Christmas pudding, it’s so thick that it takes a long time to cook. If it’s not done in the allotted time then don’t be afraid to keep cooking it.
How do I know my Christmas pudding is cooked?
A Christmas pudding is cooked when it reaches about 70 degrees Celsius in the centre, you can check it’s cooked by using a thermometer or placing a metal skewer in the centre for a few seconds and pulling it out and touching it. If it’s hot to the touch then your Christmas pudding is cooked.
What do you traditionally put in a Christmas pudding?
Traditionally, you would add chopped fruits and nuts to a Christmas pudding. Most people include dried cranberries, peels, raisins, sultanas and mixed chopped nuts.
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Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding Recipe
Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding
Equipment
- 1 Pudding Basin (0.9litre/16cm/6") – or use two small ones and reduce the cooking time)
Ingredients
For the Soaked Fruit
- 75 g raisins
- 75 g sultanas
- 75 g currants
- 75 g dried cranberries
- 25 g glace cherries
- 25 g mixed peel
- 1 large bramley apple peeled and chopped
- 125 ml stout Guinness works perfectly
- 50 ml brandy
- zest 1 orange
- zest 1 lemon
Spices For The Pudding
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp nutmeg ground or grated
- ½ tsp mixed spice
To Make The Pudding
- 60 g dark muscovado sugar
- 80 g fresh white breadcrumbs
- 50 g chopped almonds
- 50 g self-raising flour
- 25 g suet
- 40 g unsalted butter plus extra for the basin
- 1 egg beaten
To Line the Pudding Bowl
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp muscovado sugar
To Serve
- brandy
Instructions
To Soak The Fruit
- In a large bowl mix the dried fruits, glace cherries, mixed peel and chopped apple, then add the stout, brandy, orange and lemon zests and stir.75 g raisins, 75 g sultanas, 75 g currants, 75 g dried cranberries, 25 g glace cherries, 25 g mixed peel, 1 large bramley apple, 125 ml stout, 50 ml brandy, zest 1 orange, zest 1 lemon
- Cover and leave for a few hours – for best results leave overnight to allow the alcohol to really soak in.
To Make The Pudding
- Butter a small (0.9litre/16cm/6") pudding basin, and place a circle of greaseproof paper into the bottom so it's a bit easier to get the pudding out later.
- Butter the bowl and sprinkle with a light covering of muscovado sugar.3 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp muscovado sugar
- Add the sugar, flour, breadcrumbs, chopped almonds and suet to the soaked fruit and mix together.60 g dark muscovado sugar, 80 g fresh white breadcrumbs, 50 g chopped almonds, 50 g self-raising flour, 25 g suet
- Add in all the spices.½ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger, ½ tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp mixed spice
- Grate the butter and add to the bowl along with the egg and stir well.40 g unsalted butter, 1 egg
- Spoon the mix into the prepared basin and level the top. It should be about 1cm from the top.
How To Cook the Christmas Pudding in the slow cooker
- Put the kettle on to boil.
- Take a large sheet of foil and greaseproof paper. Butter the greaseproof paper/ baking parchment and lay it face up on top of the foil layer.
- Make a crease in the two together and wrap over the bowl securing it with string about 3cm down the pudding basin. The butter side should be facing the pudding with the foil on the outside. You can cover it with loose-fitting clingfilm and string instead if you want.
- Place the Christmas pudding basin into the slow cooker. Pour the boiled water into the slow cooker so it comes up to 5cm from the top of the basin.
- Set the slow cooker to low and leave for 8-9 hours. You can also do it as 4 hours on medium and 3 hours on high.
- When it is cooked the Christmas pudding should have risen slightly and have a darker top. You can serve straight away or allow to cool and store for later.
Store the Puddings
- When the pudding has cooled, remove the cooking foil then re-cover with fresh greaseproof paper and clingfilm.
- Store in a cool place ready to reheat on Christmas Day.
Feeding the Puddings (Optional)
- If you want to feed it each week before Christmas add a tablespoon of brandy, sherry or whiskey. Use a skewer to make a few holes to help the brandy soak into the middle.brandy
- Simply pour the alcohol over and allow it to soak in. Recover and put the pudding back somewhere cool.
To Reheat and Serve the Puddings
- Reapply the string over the clingfilm like you did when you had it in the slow cooker before. Steam the pudding for 3 hours on low using exactly the same method as before.
- OR microwave the pudding until it is piping hot throughout. Do this in short bursts and keep checking. It should take around 10 minutes in total. Remember to remove the foil before microwaving and remember the basin will be very hot.
Serving suggestions
- To remove the pudding from the basin use a butter knife to run around the edge and loosen the pudding. Add a plate to the top and flip the pudding and plate over and the pudding should easily come out.
- Very carefully – Pour a little brandy into a metal ladle or jug then set it alight. Pour the flaming brandy over the top of the pudding. It is best to do this at or near the table for the full spectacle.
- OR add a sprig of holly to the top of the pudding and serve.
- OR serve with custard
- OR serve with ice cream
Notes
- The nutrition estimate does not include any extra alcohol poured over or fed into the puddings.
- 1 portion is 1/6 of one small putting.
- Best served with custard but cream, icecream and even a sprinkle of icing sugar work.
- Holly and holly berries are for decoration only. Do not eat.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Such a classic holiday treat! And I love that you made it in the slow cooker- genius! 🙂
This pudding looks incredible!! Got the ingredients from the store to try making it this weekend for Thanksgiving!
This christmas pudding is so good! Can’t wait to serve at my holiday events!
This Christmas pudding looks and sounds marvelous. It’s much easier to make than I thought and I love that it’s made in the slow cooker.
I’m super excited to try this recipe! I always see Christmas pudding in the holiday movies but have never tried it or made it before.