Description
This Quick & Healthy Christmas Pudding is a delightful twist on the traditional festive dessert, packed with nutrient-dense dried fruits, warm spices, and almond meal for a moist, flavorful treat. Steamed gently in the oven, it offers a comforting and wholesome way to celebrate the holidays without the usual heavy sugars and fats.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Liquid
- 1 1/2 Oranges
- 300 grams Dates (pitted)
- 300 grams Prunes (pitted)
- 1 1/4 cups Water
- 1 1/2 cups Dried Currants
- 200 grams Dried Apricot
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 350 grams Almond Meal
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Powder
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon Whole Clove
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
Others
- 1/3 cup Coconut Oil
- 4 Eggs
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a medium-sized pudding bowl to prevent sticking. Roughly chop 1 1/2 oranges and 100 grams of prunes. Finely chop 200 grams of dried apricots and set them aside for later use.
- Cook Fruit Mixture: In a saucepan, combine 300 grams of pitted dates, 200 grams of pitted prunes, the chopped orange slices, and 1 1/4 cups water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the water evaporates and the fruit forms a thick paste.
- Add Coconut Oil: Stir 1/3 cup of coconut oil into the warm fruit paste. Set the mixture aside to cool to room temperature, ensuring it is not too hot before processing.
- Process Fruit Mixture: Transfer the cooled fruit mixture to a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, creating a rich fruit base for your pudding.
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Fruits: Pour the smooth fruit paste into a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped apricots and prunes, 1 1/2 cups dried currants, 350 grams almond meal, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon whole clove, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Add Eggs: Crack in 4 eggs and blend them thoroughly into the mixture until you achieve a uniform, sticky batter.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the pudding mixture into the greased pudding bowl, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Set Up Water Bath: Place the pudding bowl in a deep roasting tray. Carefully pour hot water into the roasting tray until it reaches halfway to three-quarters up the sides of the pudding bowl. This water bath will gently steam the pudding as it bakes.
- Seal and Bake: Cover the pudding bowl and roasting tray tightly with a layer of baking paper followed by foil to prevent steam from escaping. Bake in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes to ensure the pudding is cooked through and moist.
- Remove and Cool: Carefully remove the roasting tray from the oven, taking caution with the hot water. Remove the foil and baking paper slowly and away from your face to avoid steam burns.
- Serve: Use a knife to loosen the edges of the pudding from the bowl. Turn the pudding onto a serving plate. Serve warm, ideally with Almond Milk Creme Anglaise for a creamy complement. Enjoy your healthy Christmas treat!
Notes
- You can prepare this pudding a day ahead; it often tastes better after resting overnight.
- Make sure to tightly seal the pudding bowl to avoid water leaking in during steaming.
- If you prefer, substitute almond meal with ground hazelnuts or walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- This pudding freezes well; reheat gently before serving.
- Serve with dairy-free custard or whipped cream for variation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: Christmas pudding, healthy dessert, festive dessert, almond meal pudding, steamed pudding, Christmas recipe, dried fruit pudding
