Best 4 New England Christmas Pudding Recipes

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In the heart of New England, nestled amidst snowy landscapes and festive cheer, lies a culinary gem that embodies the spirit of Christmas: New England Christmas Pudding. This traditional dessert, deeply rooted in history and brimming with flavors, is a symphony of sweet and savory, a harmonious blend of textures, and a delightful dance of spices. Its rich, dark exterior, studded with plump raisins, glistening candied fruits, and fragrant citrus zest, entices the senses, promising a delectable treat within. As the pudding yields under the gentle touch of a spoon, it reveals a moist, dense interior, generously laced with warm spices, molasses, and the subtle hint of brandy. This culinary masterpiece is a labor of love, a testament to the patience and skill of New England's home cooks. And as the flavors mingle and meld together, creating a symphony of festive joy, it becomes evident that the New England Christmas Pudding is more than just a dessert; it's an edible embodiment of holiday spirit, a taste of tradition, and a cherished part of New England's culinary heritage.

Beyond the classic New England Christmas Pudding, this article also presents a tantalizing array of variations, each with its own unique twist on the beloved dessert. From the decadent Chocolate Christmas Pudding, a rich and indulgent treat for chocolate lovers, to the elegant Cranberry Orange Christmas Pudding, bursting with vibrant citrus flavors, there's a pudding here to suit every palate. For those seeking a boozy delight, the tipsy Grand Marnier Christmas Pudding, infused with the essence of orange liqueur, is sure to impress. And for a gluten-free alternative, the article offers a delightful recipe for a Gluten-Free Christmas Pudding, ensuring that everyone can partake in this festive tradition.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS PUDDING



New England Christmas Pudding image

A New England twist on an English Christmas tradition

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups dried plain breadcrumbs
1 cup dried sweetened cranberries (Craisins)
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon boiling water
1/2 cup flour, all-purpose
1 teaspoon of ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Grease a pudding mold well with extra butter and dust with flour. Cover top with large piece of greased foil an fold snugly over sides of mold to keep steam out. Remember to leave some slack in foil because pudding will need room to expand.
  • Mix together breadcrumbs, Craisins, molasses and melted butter. Combine baking soda and water and add to crumb mixture; mix well.
  • Sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Stir into crumb mixture. Pour mixture into greased pudding mold.
  • Place mold on rack in steamer or large pot. Add boiling water to halfway up sides of pudding mold. Cover and steam for 2 hours or until firm to touch.

OLD FASHIONED NEW ENGLAND INDIAN PUDDING



Old Fashioned New England Indian Pudding image

This Indian Pudding is adapted from An Olde Concord Christmas, a book from the Concord Museum in Concord Massachusetts. It's often made around Thanksgiving and Christmas here in New England, but I say it's good anytime!

Provided by Lindas Busy Kitchen

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h25m

Yield 8-10

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup molasses
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup golden raisin (optional)
whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Steps:

  • Scald the milk and butter in a large double boiler. Or heat the milk and butter for 5-6 minutes on high heat in the microwave, until it is boiling, then transfer it to a pot on the stove. Keep hot on medium heat.
  • Preheat oven to 250.
  • In a separate bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, and salt; stir in molasses. Thin the mixture with about 1/2 cup of scalded milk, a few tablespoons at a time, then gradually add the mixture back to the large pot of scalded milk. Cook, stirring until thickened.
  • Temper the eggs by slowly adding a half cup of the hot milk cornmeal mixture to the beaten eggs, whisking constantly.
  • Add the egg mixture back in with the hot milk cornmeal mixture, stir to combine.
  • Stir in the sugar and spices, until smooth. At this point, if the mixture is clumpy, you can run it through a blender to smooth it out.
  • Stir in the raisins (optional).
  • Pour into a 2 1/2 quart shallow casserole dish.
  • Bake for 2 hours at 250.
  • Allow the pudding to cool about an hour to be at its best. It should be reheated to warm temperature if it has been chilled. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

NEW ENGLAND INDIAN PUDDING



New England Indian Pudding image

This recipe was inspired by traditional New England Indian pudding. My version is made in the slow cooker instead of being baked for hours in the oven. If the molasses flavor is too strong, cut the amount to 1/3 cup. -Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 3h45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (8-1/2 ounces) cornbread/muffin mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix
4 cups whole milk
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Optional: Vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, whisk cornbread mix, pudding mix and milk until blended. Add eggs, molasses and spices; whisk until combined. Transfer to a greased 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour., Reduce heat to low. Stir pudding, making sure to scrape sides of slow cooker well. Cover and cook until very thick, 2-1/2 to 3 hours longer, stirring once per hour. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330 calories, Fat 9g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 83mg cholesterol, Sodium 526mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (36g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING



Christmas Pudding image

Provided by Jean F. Tibbetts

Categories     dessert

Time 8h20m

Yield 8 - 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 1/2 cups seeded muscat raisins
1/4 cup coarsely chopped mixed candied fruit
1/4 cup glaceed red cherries
1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
1 small carrot, grated
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup slivered blanched almonds
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into a 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Generous pinch ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoons Cognac, plus 1/4 cup warm Cognac
1 sprig holly Devon cream-yogurt sauce (see recipe)
Devon cream-yogurt sauce

Steps:

  • Combine raisins, candied fruit, cherries, apple, carrot, orange and lemon zests, almonds and butter in a large bowl and mix well.
  • Combine flour, bread crumbs, sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt in a small bowl; stir to mix, and add to fruit mixture.
  • Lightly beat eggs with orange and lemon juices and 3 tablespoons Cognac in small bowl. Pour over pudding mixture; blend with fingers.
  • Lightly grease a 1-quart pudding basin with vegetable oil and line the bottom with a greased circle of wax paper cut to fit. Pack the pudding mixture into the prepared basin; cover with another fitted and greased wax paper circle. Cover basin with a dampened towel, securing it by tying with kitchen twine.
  • Place basin on a rack in a 5-quart saucepan. Add 10 cups water and set over high heat. Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 8 hours; add hot water when necessary.
  • Remove basin from water and cool to room temperature. Remove the towel and top circle of wax paper. Run sharp knife around inside edge of basin. Invert onto a platter.
  • Ignite warm Cognac and pour it over the pudding. As flame dies, top with holly. Serve immediately with Devon cream-yogurt sauce on side.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 282, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 42 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 168 milligrams, Sugar 25 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use a large bowl for mixing the ingredients, as the mixture will expand as it soaks.
  • Soak the fruit and nuts in the alcohol for at least 12 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
  • If you don't have any suet, you can use butter or margarine instead.
  • Be sure to grease the pudding basin well before adding the mixture, to prevent it from sticking.
  • Cover the pudding basin tightly with foil or a lid, to prevent the pudding from drying out.
  • Steam the pudding for at least 6 hours, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the pudding to cool completely before serving.

Conclusion:

New England Christmas pudding is a delicious and traditional dessert that is perfect for the holiday season. With its rich and flavorful ingredients, this pudding is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try!

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