These Christmas puddings with a fruity twist are guaranteed to go down a treat with friends and family
Ingredients
- 100g (3½ oz) dried cherries, cranberries or other dried fruit½ level tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 90g (3oz) ready-to-eat dried apricots
- 90g (3oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 150g (5oz) light muscovado sugar
- 2 medium eggs
- 175g (6oz) self-raising flour
- 2tbsp orange juice
For the sauce:
- 175g (6oz) light muscovado sugar
- 125g (4oz) unsalted butter
- 6tbsp double cream
- 30g (1oz) pecan nuts, chopped
- Juice of ½ orange
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Put the dried cherries in a bowl with the bicarbonate of soda and pour 150ml (¼ pint) boiling water over them. Stir and leave to soak while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Snip the apricots into small pieces with scissors. Whisk the butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy and light, then beat in the eggs with a little of the flour. Fold in the rest of the flour, then the cherries and water, apricots and orange juice.
- Divide the mixture between 10 x 125ml (4fl oz) dariole moulds or ramekins, well-greased with butter and dusted with flour. Place on a traybake tin and bake at 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4) for 25 mins until firm and well risen. Leave to cool in the moulds for 15 mins and they should come out more easily.
- To make the sauce, put the sugar, butter, cream and pecans in a pan. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the orange juice to taste.
- To serve, put the puddings on individual plates and serve topped with a little sauce.
Top Tip for making Mini fruit Christmas puddings with fudge and pecan sauce
Soaking the dried cherries in the bicarbonate of soda first will plump up and soften them, bringing out the flavour and keeping the cake moist.
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.
-
Espresso Martini chocolate pots
Whizz these Espresso Martini chocolate pots up in 10 minutes for your dinner party – a perfect, lightly boozy dessert...
By Jess Meyer Published
-
White chocolate passion fruit mousse
Easy to make ahead, these deceptively light and low-carb white chocolate passion fruit mousse are a dream...
By Jessica Ransom Published
-
Eton Mess trifle
Layers of sweet berries, jelly, custard, cream, and heaps of mini meringues. Delicious...
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Stuffed lamb shoulder with feta and apricot
Our stuffed lamb shoulder with feta and apricot is infused with lots of Middle Eastern flavours and it only takes 30 minutes of prep
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Stuffed spring leg of lamb with herby chutney
This stuffed spring leg of lamb with herby chutney is best made the night before so it can marinate and intensify in flavour.
By Jules Mercer Published
-
Easter coconut and lemon cake
This Easter coconut and lemon cake serves 12 and leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
By Jules Mercer Published
-
Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas: Recipes, guest stars and where to watch
BBC viewers can enjoy a slice of Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas in December, with the British chef sharing recipes, tips and tricks to cooking the perfect Christmas dinner.
By Emily Stedman Published
-
4 ingredients and 15 minutes to make this classic British dessert in your air fryer
You can make bread and butter pudding in an air fryer using just four basic store cupboard ingredients, thanks to one TikTok influencer's recipe.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
You probably already have the ingredients to make a lava cake in your air fryer - here's how to whip up this easy dessert
You could have yourself a delicious homemade dessert in just 10 minutes with this air fryer lava cake hack.
By Ellie Hutchings Published