Skip to content
TORONTO STORES closed to 'customer entry' but open for online and curbside sales & pick-up. MONTREAL STORE remains open. We continue to offer same/next day local delivery and free shipping Canada-wide on orders over $200
MONTREAL & TORONTO STORES OPEN FOR ONLINE SHOPPING, CURBSIDE PICK UP & DELIVERY
Chef Jessica's Nana's Holiday Pudding Recipe

Chef Jessica's Nana's Holiday Pudding Recipe

Chef Jessica of the Cookery family has kindly shared her Nana's holiday pudding recipe with us!

In this second week of holiday recipe sharing, Cookery's Chef Jessica is sharing the wonders of the traditional holiday pudding - with help from Nana Roberts' family recipe. If you've never experienced the wonder of British-style pudding, you are in for a treat!

This is not a creamy bowl of North American style chocolate pudding.  It's a beautifully moist cake, full of fruit and nuts, served warm with a decadent dollop of sweet, boozy butter sauce!

This medieval dessert has a quirky and fascinating history, much like Britain herself! Surviving centuries to make it to our family, so we can share it with yours!  It was born of medieval times, survived accusations of paganism & idolatry, puritanical yule bans, and finally experienced a revival by a German-born King who loved the holidays  More pudding history here.

Holiday Pudding is a recipe that truly encompasses the meaning of the holidays, long-lived traditions, decadence, and family. 

Thank you to Chef Jessica for sharing her holiday tradition with us 

Nana Roberts' Holiday Pudding Recipe 

Makes 4x 1.75 L puddings using Mason Cash pudding bowls 
After the first steaming, puddings can be cooled completely and wrapped well in plastic wrap and frozen. Puddings can be steamed for their second steaming from from frozen. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb (908 grams) seedless raisins 
  • 2 lb (908 grams) currants
  • 1 lb (454 grams) beef suet- can substitute with the same amount of grated frozen shortening (not lard or butter) for a vegetarian version. 
  • 4 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 tbsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 4 cups fine fresh bread crumbs
  • 4 cups red wine

Method:

  1. Cut a circle of wax paper to fit on top of each pudding bowl.
  2. Butter pudding bowls and butter one side of each wax paper circle
  3. Combine all ingredients except wine in a very large mixing  bowl.
  4. Add the wine and stir to combine.
  5. Place batter into well-buttered pudding bowls leaving 1" space at top of bowl. 
  6. Place buttered wax paper on top of the puddings, buttered side down, and press down.
  7. Cover top of each bowl with foil
  8. Tie tightly with cooking twine to seal well.
  9. To steam, place each pudding into their own pot with lid and pour in enough water to come up the side of the bowl by 1 inch.
  10. Cover pot with lid.
  11. Turn burners on to medium heat and bring water to a boil.
  12. Reduce heat to a simmer and steam puddings for 6 hours, periodically checking that the water in the pot hasn't evaporated. Add more water if necessary.
  13. After first steaming, remove carefully from pot and allow to cool.
  14. Remove from bowl, wrap well and freeze until ready to eat
  15. If making ahead, puddings can be made and refrigerated up to a week before eating. Otherwise, freeze. 
  16. To steam before eating, place pudding back into a buttered pudding bowl and cover again with wax paper and foil.
  17. Steam, in the same manner as above, for 2 hours.
  18. Turn out pudding onto a serving platter and enjoy hot with hard sauce. 

"Hard Sauce" From Laura Secord 1966

Makes 1 cup. 
Chef Jessica and her family use the Hard Sauce recipe from The Laura Secord Canadian Cook Book printed in 1966.
"Hard sauce melts delightfully on holiday pudding. Our English friends know it as brandy or rum butter." Excerpt taken from the cook book.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup sifted icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla or 1 tbsp rum, brandy or sherry (Chef Jessica likes a little more rum)

Method:

  1. Cream the butter. Gradually add the icing sugar and beat until fluffy.
  2. Blend in the rum.
  3. Chill. Serve cold. A good dollop on top of hot holiday pudding. 

 

Recipe halves easily and steamed pudding freeze well. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and tinfoil and keep frozen until next year.
Shop our curated collection of items specifically tailored to this recipe.  

  • Mason Cash Pudding Bowls - 3 sizes available

    from $29.00

    These Pudding Basins from Mason Cash can be used to make classic English steamed puddings like Steak and Kidney, Christmas, Sussex and Treacle. Als...

    View full details
    from $29.00

  • Mason Cash Caneware

    from $36.00

    Mason Cash has been making traditional English kitchenware in Derbyshire for more than 200 years. These traditional glazed earthenware mixing bowls...

    View full details
    from $36.00

  • Escali Arti Glass Kitchen Scale

    $49.00

    The Escali Arti Digital Scale is capable of weighing both liquid and dry ingredients up to 15 pounds with 0.1 ounce or 1 gram increments. It featu...

    View full details
    $49.00
  • Save 37%

    Le Creuset 10.2L Signature Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid

    $550.00
    $349.00

    Le Creuset's award-winning stainless steel reflects the same European craftsmanship and character that has defined Le Creuset cast iron for decades...

    View full details
    $550.00
    $349.00
    Save 37%
  • All-Clad 8Qt Stainless Steel Stockpot w/Lid - Cookery

    All-Clad d3 8Qt Stainless Steel Stockpot w/Lid

    $380.00

    The All-Clad 8-Quart Stockpot is ideal for making stock, soups, and stews and for preparing food in large quantities. The pot's wide bottom allows ...

    View full details
    $380.00

  • All-Clad Measuring Cup Set (5 pcs)

    $69.00

    Crafted to look like mini sauce pans, the measuring cup set is made of high quality stainless steel, with a polished exterior and brushed interio...

    View full details
    $69.00

  • All-Clad Measuring Spoon Set

    $45.00

    Crafted to All-Clad's professional standards, this beautifully crafted stainless steel measuring spoon set comes chained together to keep the enti...

    View full details
    $45.00

  • Swissmar Nutmeg Mill

    $19.00

    Who needs a nutmeg mill? You do, because freshly ground nutmeg is absolutely intoxicating. Did you know that the thing that gives doughnuts that sp...

    View full details
    $19.00

  • Microplane Spice Grater

    $15.00

    Originally a woodworking tool, this spice grater tackles even the hardest spices like nutmeg with ease. Ideal for grating a touch of fresh cinnamon...

    View full details
    $15.00

  • Tovolo Spatula with Stainless Steel Handle

    $26.00

    Introducing Flex-Core, the new standard in spatulas, rigid enough to tackle heavy mixing jobs, yet still flexible on the edges to give you t...

    View full details
    $26.00

  • Tovolo Mini Spoonulas

    $11.00

    Beautiful and practical, these wood spoonulas will bring life and function to your kitchen! The offset head with shallow bowl is perfect for all yo...

    View full details
    $11.00

  • Regency Parchment Paper

    $12.00

    Cooking and cleaning up is fuss-free when you use parchment paper, eliminating the need for additional oil and preventing your food from sticking t...

    View full details
    $12.00

  • Regency Parchment Sheets

    $8.00

    Use parchment paper to stop food from sticking to the pan without adding oil. This parchment paper comes in convenient packages of 6 pre-cut 12" x ...

    View full details
    $8.00

  • Norpro Cotton Twine

    $8.00

    220' of food safe, unbleached, natural, 100% cotton, 18 ply twine. One of the most versatile kitchen tools with hundreds of uses!-Truss or tie up a...

    View full details
    $8.00

  • Miya Omakase Wave Round Plate

    from $6.00

    Omakase (O-ma-ka-say) means, "It's up to you," a perfect phrase to reflect these pieces as blank canvases for culinary creativity. Sushi restauran...

    View full details
    from $6.00

  • Le Creuset Winter Edition Appetizer Plates, Set of 4

    $80.00

    Featuring shades just for winter from Le Creuset's palette.

    $80.00

  • Sabre French Bistro Tart Slicer - ivory

    $44.00

    Established in France in 1993 by Francis Gelb, Sabre Paris is renowned for the vast assortment of printed mix-and-match acrylic designs in i...

    View full details
    $44.00
  • Cuisipro Tempo Stainless Steel Pie Server - Cookery

    Cuisipro Tempo Stainless Steel Pie Server

    $21.00

    Serve cakes and pies with style using this elegant, mirror finish server.

    $21.00
  • Mepra Vintage Oro Gravy Ladle - Cookery

    Mepra Vintage Oro Gravy Ladle

    $97.00

    Expertly crafted from durable stainless steel, this Mepra Vintage flatware evokes the Baroque period, pared down to simple elegance perfect for din...

    View full details
    $97.00

  • White Basics Gravy Boat & Saucer

    $19.00

    From Maxwell & Williams' White Basics line, this porcelain gravy boat and saucer are an easy addition to serveware of any colour and style.  H...

    View full details
    $19.00

  • Olive Wood Spoon - 30cm/12"

    $19.00

    The rich colour and swirling pattern of the olive wood is not only beautiful, but also non-porous and resistant to stains, making it perfectly suit...

    View full details
    $19.00