Alternative Christmas pudding recipes: Chocolate bombe (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for rum in Christmas pudding? ›

A sweet marsala or Madeira wine are good alternatives but if you only have a bottle of rum, whisky or brandy on hand then one of these could also be used.

We would tend to err on the side of using a spirit with a higher alcohol content (such as rum or whisky) but a fortified wine with a long shelf life, such as a sweet Marsala or Madiera could also be used.

After the first 5 hours of steaming the puddings may not look that dark but do not worry as the colour deepens on the second steaming.

If you can't get it you could use a strong dry cider.

Christmas pudding is traditionally soaked with alcohol, preferably brandy, for flavour maturation. However, many people prefer rum and whisky spirit with high alcohol content.

Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative is made to have the same flavor profile as classic dark rum. It's highlighted by a warm vanilla taste that's rich with toasted spices.

La bûche de Noël

The quintessential French Christmas dessert is the bûche de Noël, or the Yule or Christmas Log, a rolled cake with filling and thick icing.

How do I flame the Christmas pudding? Turn out the steamed pudding onto a serving plate with a good-sized rim around the edge to catch any spirit. The important thing is to get the spirit really hot. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of brandy, rum or whisky into a long-handled metal ladle and heat it over a gas flame until hot.

Conclusion: Christmas puddings contain ethanol that does not all evaporate during the cooking process. However, the rise in BAC after ingestion of a typical slice of Christmas pudding was negligible and unlikely to affect work performance or safety or impair a health care worker's ability to make complex decisions.

Any pudding using fresh fruit for moisture will go off more quickly, whereas a Christmas pudding soaked in booze with high sugar and dried fruit content will last much longer. Some Christmas puddings, made with dried fruit in the traditional way, are fine to be eaten as much as two years after they were made.

What is the superstition about Christmas pudding? ›

Superstitions say that Christmas pudding must be prepared with 13 ingredients, which are said to represent Jesus and his twelve disciples. It is also said that the mixture should be stirred in turn from east to west, by each family member, to honour the disciples' journey.

The essentials for the best puddings

Use a mixture of flour and breadcrumbs, not just flour. Though in older times the choice was more to do with economy, breadcrumbs give the pudding a much lighter texture. And again, use just enough flour to hold the mixture gently together.

If you or someone in your family is a vegetarian and doesn't want to eat suet, look for a recipe that uses butter or margarine instead, such as this recipe for individual Christmas puddings.

“Figgy pudding is a specific type of Christmas or plum pudding that contains figs as a primary ingredient along with other dried fruits,” Heron says.

Liquor. Traditionally Christmas pudding is made with brandy, but I also love using Cointreau. Many others enjoy the flavor of cider and rum as well. If you are going to "feed the Christmas pudding" after cooking then you'll need extra alcohol, about two tablespoons every week you feed it.

If you are looking for a flavor profile similar to that of rum, there are many alternative options available outside of rum extract. A few popular substitutes include vanilla and almond extract or amaretto, coffee liqueur, apple cider vinegar, and ginger beer.

Use small amounts of McCormick Culinary Imitation Rum Extract as an exceptional substitute for rum in recipes; 2 teaspoons of rum extract equals 1 tablespoon of dark rum, or 1 tablespoon of rum extract equals 5 tablespoons of light rum.

In conclusion, there are several options to choose from when looking for a nonalcoholic substitute for rum in your favorite recipe. Apple cider, pineapple juice, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract are all good options that can add a similar flavor to your dish.

Non-alcoholic substitutes:Rum extract: Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of rum extract for each tablespoon of rum called for in the recipe. Apple juice or white grape juice: Substitute an equal amount of apple juice or white grape juice for the rum.