Gluten-free Christmas Pudding

Cuisine type: Traditional
Cooking time: More than 1 hour
Special options: Gluten free
Course: Dessert

Makes 2 small puddings. The pudding can be made up to three months ahead and kept refrigerated or made up to one year ahead and frozen. To reheat, thaw in refrigerator for up to 2 days; remove plastic wrap, return to steamer and steam for 2 hours.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/3 cup (225g) raisins
1 ½ cups (240g) sultanas
1 ½ cups (225g) currants
1/3 cup (55g) mixed peel
1/3 cup (55g) coarsely chopped dates
¼ cup (50g) coarsely chopped glace cherries
1 small (130g) apple, peeled, grated
2 teaspoons finely grated orange rind
¼ cup (60ml) brandy
2 tablespoons orange juice
125g butter, softened
1¼ cups (250g) firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons golden syrup
4 eggs
½ cup cooked mashed pumpkin
3 cups (320g) gluten-free stale breadcrumbs (not dry)
1 teaspoon QUEEN vanilla essence
1/3 cup (50g) cornflour (100% corn or maize)
1 tablespoon milk powder
1/3 cup (50g) rice flour
2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
½ teaspoon mixed spice
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Procedure

METHOD

Place fruit, rind, brandy and juice in a large bowl; cover; stand overnight.
Beat butter, sugar and golden syrup in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until combined; add eggs one at a time, beating until just combined between additions. Stir in pumpkin, breadcrumbs, vanilla and sifted dry ingredients until combined.
Grease two 5-cup capacity pudding steamers. Divide mixture evenly between pudding steamers. Top with pleated baking paper and double thickness of foil; secure with kitchen string or lid.
Place puddings in two large boilers with enough boiling water to come halfway up side of steamers. Cover boilers with tight fitting lids; boil for 5 hours. Replenish with boiling water as required. Stand puddings for 15 minutes before turning out.
Serve puddings with custard, cream or ice cream, if desired.

Suitable to freeze.
Not suitable to microwave.

COOK’S NOTE: Gluten-free bread and baking powder is available from supermarkets and health food stores.

Serving Information

Serves:

Fat: g

Calories: