This is the fast-track to festive joy. In just minutes, you get a warm, spiced individual pudding with a perfectly tender crumb. The mix of mincemeat, dried fruit, and a dash of stout creates a deep, cosy flavour. Turning it out and pouring over the brandy is a little moment of magic. Quick, easy, and utterly delicious.
From Hairy Bikers
This speedy individual Christmas pudding is a convenient treat. The Nutri-Score reflects its relatively high sugar and energy content from ingredients like mincemeat, soft brown sugar, and dried fruit. It’s a delightful occasional dessert. Per serving (approx): 420 kcal | 14g fat | 7g saturates | 68g carbs | 55g sugars | 3g fibre | 6g protein.
Equipment
Ingredients
- Butter, for greasing
- 1 handful fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 free-range egg
- 4 tsp mincemeat
- 2 tsp soft brown sugar
- ¼ nutmeg, grated
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp mixed spice
- 1 orange, zest only
- 1 tsp stout ale
- 1 small knob butter
- 30g mixed dried fruit
- 4 tsp brandy, to serve
Customise
- Alcohol: Swap the stout for more brandy, or use orange juice. The brandy at the end can be replaced with a brandy butter sauce or custard.
- Dried Fruit: Use any mix you like – raisins, sultanas, and currants are all perfect. Chopped apricots work well too.
- Mincemeat: This is the flavour powerhouse! Use your favourite shop-bought or homemade mincemeat.
- Spices: Love ginger? Add a pinch. The mixed spice and cinnamon can be adjusted to your taste.
Method
- Get everything ready. First, heat your oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7. Grab your small pudding bowl and give it a good coat of butter – this makes sure your little pudding will pop out beautifully later.
Mix & Microwave (About 2 minutes total)
- Throw it all in. Seriously, it’s that easy. In a mixing bowl, combine the fresh breadcrumbs, egg, mincemeat, brown sugar, all your grated nutmeg and spices, the orange zest, teaspoon of stout, knob of butter, and the mixed dried fruit. Stir it with a spoon until you have a sticky, fragrant, brown mixture. Don’t overthink it, just mix until it’s combined.
- Microwave to kickstart it. Spoon the mixture into your buttered bowl. Cover the top snugly with a piece of greaseproof paper. Pop it in the microwave and cook on full power for one minute. You’ll see it start to firm up around the edges – it’s magic!
Oven Bake & Steam (About 15-20 minutes)
- Bake for a golden finish. Carefully (it’s hot!) take the bowl from the microwave and place it directly into your preheated oven. Let it bake for 8-10 minutes. This gives it a more traditional texture and a lovely top.
- Steam to perfection. While it bakes, get a steamer pan ready with simmering water. Once the oven time is up, transfer the pudding bowl into the steamer. Let it steam for another 8-10 minutes. This double-cooking method ensures it’s cooked through and beautifully moist.
Serve Immediately (The best part!)
- Turn out and dazzle. Run a small knife around the edge of the pudding. Place your serving plate upside-down on top of the bowl, then, with confidence, flip it over. Give the bowl a little tap and lift it away – there’s your perfect little pudding.
- Add the boozy finale. Warm your brandy slightly if you like (be careful if flambéing). Simply pour all 4 teaspoons over the warm, waiting pudding. Watch it soak in. Serve it right away, maybe with a dollop of cream or custard on the side. Instant Christmas.
What can you serve with this
- Vanilla Custard – The classic partner. The creamy, warm custard against the spiced pudding is a match made in heaven.
- Brandy Butter – For an extra-rich, indulgent treat, a cold slice of brandy butter melting over the top is spectacular.
- Crème Fraîche – Its slight tang cuts through the sweetness beautifully and feels a bit lighter than cream.
- A Glass of Stout or Porter – Echo the flavour in the pudding by serving the same dark beer you cooked with on the side.
FAQs for Individual Christmas Pudding
- Can I make this individual Christmas pudding in advance? You can mix the ingredients and keep the raw mix covered in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. It’s best cooked fresh, though.
- I don’t have a microwave, can I just bake it? Yes, but bake it for longer. Skip the microwave minute and bake in the oven at 180C for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean, checking it’s not drying out.
- What is mincemeat in a pudding? It’s the sweet, spiced mixture of dried fruits, suet, sugar, and citrus – no actual meat! It’s the same stuff you find in mince pies and adds incredible depth.
- Can I make this for more people? Absolutely. Just double or triple the ingredients and use more individual pudding bowls. Adjust the cooking time slightly if the bowls are larger.
- Why do I need to steam it after baking? The quick steam ensures the very centre is perfectly cooked and keeps the whole pudding wonderfully moist. It mimics the texture of a traditional long-steamed pudding.
- Can I use gluten-free breadcrumbs? Of course. Just ensure your mincemeat is also gluten-free, and use gluten-free bread to make your fresh crumbs.
Nutri-score Health Check
This recipe scores a D on the Nutri-Score scale. The Nutri-Score is a five-colour system from A (healthiest) to E (least healthy). It’s a guide, especially for festive desserts.
The score is automatically calculated from the ingredients. For this quick Christmas pudding, the score comes from the sugars in the mincemeat, soft brown sugar, and dried fruit, along with the energy density.
Positive Factors
The recipe contains dried fruit and orange zest, which contribute some fibre and micronutrients. Using just one egg and a small knob of butter keeps the saturated fat content in check relative to larger puddings.
Negative Factors
The main factors lowering the score are the concentrated sugars from the mincemeat and added soft brown sugar. The brandy and stout also contribute to the energy content.
Remember, it’s a treat. Perfect for a speedy, cosy Christmas dessert for two. Enjoy every bite!