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    Alcohol-free Christmas pudding

    Jump to Recipe

    This is a deliciously fruity, fragrant, alcohol-free Christmas pudding. Kids will love the lighter, fruitier flavour and texture compared with the dark richness of traditional Christmas pud.

    Front angle shot of Alcohol-free Christmas pudding served on a white plate with a mummy too logo in the lower-left corner

    The mix for this Christmas pudding is a breeze to make in a single bowl.

    And since it's a simpler pudding, it doesn't need to be made weeks in advance. In fact, you could whip it up on Christmas Eve!

    Front angle shot of half eaten Alcohol-free Christmas pudding served on a white plate with a mummy too logo in the lower-left corner

    Here's what to do.

    Ingredients

    • 60 ml (2 floz) apple and blackcurrant squash
    • 150 g (5.3 oz) dried mixed fruit
    • 10 ml (2 tsp) orange juice
    • 1/2 lemon zest and juice
    • 1/2 eating apples grated
    • 1 medium free range eggs
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
    • 60 g (2.1 oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) shredded suet vegetarian if needed
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
    • 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice
    • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp baking powder

    Equipment

    • Weighing scales
    • Measuring spoons
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Wooden spoon
    • 1 pint pudding basin with lid
    • Saucepan with lid

    Instructions

    Put the mixed fruit and squash in a large bowl and give it a mix. Pop in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir.

    Overhead shot of mixed fruit and squash in a large bowl

    Add the orange juice and the lemon zest and juice. Give it another mix.

    Overhead shot of mixed fruit and squash with orange juice and the lemon zest and juice in a large mixing bowl

    Add the grated apple and egg.

    Overhead shot of mixed fruit, squash, grated apple and egg in a large mixing bowl

    Mix well.

    Overhead shot of mixed fruit in a large mixing bowl

    Add the flour, sugar, suet, breadcrumbs, mixed spice, nutmeg, cinnamon and baking powder.

    Overhead shot of mixed fruit, flour, sugar, suet, breadcrumbs, mixed spice, nutmeg, cinnamon and baking powder in a large mixing bowl

    Fold together to give a wet, loose batter.

    Overhead shot of christmas pudding batter in a large clear bowl

    Cover the bowl tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour - or overnight if you have time. The mixture will firm up a little once chilled.

    Overhead shot of alcohol free christmas pudding batter in a large clear bowl

    Transfer the mixture into a greased 1-pint pudding basins.

    Overhead shot of pudding batter in 1-pint pudding basin

    Fit the lid.

    Overhead shot of the lid going on the bowl.

    Place the pudding basin in a saucepan and add boiling water one third of the way up the pudding basin.

    Overhead shot of the bowl inside a pan.

    Place the lid on the saucepan and simmer for 3 hours. Check the water level occasionally and top it up if it looks like it might boil dry.

    Overhead shot of the lid on top of the pan.

    Carefully remove the pudding from the saucepan and leave to cool with the lids off. Once cold, place the lid back on the basin and store the pudding in the refrigerator. Note: Due to the lack of alcohol in this pudding, it cannot be stored long-term

    Overhead shot of the finished Christmas pudding inside a bowl.

    On Christmas Day, steam the puddings the same way for an hour.

    Overhead shot of the finished Christmas pudding in a bowl on a red table.

    Serve on its own, or with pouring cream, ice cream or custard! Delicious!

    Front angle shot of Alcohol-free Christmas pudding served on a white plate with a mummy too logo in the lower-left corner

    Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect alcohol-free Christmas pudding

    Is alcohol-free Christmas pudding easy to make?

    This recipe is super simple and easy to bring together in just one bowl. With all the fruit and festive spice of regular Christmas pudding without the dense alcohol richness that can be a bit much for kids to enjoy.

    It does take a bit of time to steam so needs a little planning, but you can have it steaming away on Christmas eve filling the kitchen with beautiful festive smells. 

    Will I need any special equipment for this recipe?

    You should be able to find everything you need in the average kitchen. I’ve used a pudding bowl with a lid for ease, but you can make a lid with greaseproof paper if your bowl doesn’t have a lid, see note below on how to do this. 

    You’ll also need a microwave-safe mixing bowl, weighing scales, and measuring spoons. A large pan with a lid to steam the pudding in. 

    Where can I buy shredded suet?

    Shredded suet should be fairly easily available in most supermarkets. It will be in the baking section, traditionally made with animal fat, you can now get a vegetarian alternative if you prefer. 

    Is alcohol-free Christmas pudding suitable for vegetarians?

    If you want to make this recipe vegetarian make sure to use vegetarian suet. All the other ingredients are suitable for vegetarians. 

    Is alcohol-free Christmas pudding suitable for vegans?

    As it is, no this recipe is not suitable for vegans because it contains egg, and shredded suet. 

    Most vegetable based shredded suet doesn’t state it is suitable for vegans, having contacted Atora one of the biggest manufacturers of suet in the UK, they advised they can not yet claim vegan status as they haven’t had accreditation so it's up to you whether you're comfortable using it. 

    An alternative to shredded suet could be to grate a block of vegetable cooking fat like Trex, put the block in the freezer for a few hours before you grate it, a light dusting of flour can help separate the gratings too. 

    You will also need to use an egg replacer, I haven’t tried this recipe egg-free yet but you could give one of these options a go and see how you get on (each = 1 egg, so multiply as needed for any given recipe).

    • 1 tablespoon of crushed chia seeds or flax seeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water and left for 10 minutes in the fridge.
    • 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (the water you get in a tin of chickpeas).
    • 3 tablespoons of applesauce (bear in mind this will add sweetness).

    Make sure any icecreams or custards you choose to serve this with are also suitable for vegans, give my vegan custard a go it’s yummy!

    Is alcohol-free Christmas pudding gluten-free?

    For this recipe, I’ve used fresh white breadcrumbs which are made with wheat-based flour and it contains wheat-based plain flour in the mix too. Shredded suet is also not gluten-free as it is coated in wheat flour to stop it from sticking together.

    I haven't tried this recipe gluten-free yet but you could give it a go if you like. Make your own breadcrumbs with some gluten-free bread and use gluten-free plain flour. For the suet, you can buy fresh suet from the butchers and grate yourself, or use a vegetable cooking fat like Trex. 

    Is alcohol-free Christmas pudding safe to eat while pregnant?

    There is nothing in this recipe that would normally pose a risk to a pregnant woman, as long as all the ingredients are in good condition, and the pudding is prepared and cooked hygienically. This is a fantastic option if you’re avoiding alcohol too. 

    A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice, please speak to a health professional if you have any worries or questions. 

    Is alcohol-free Christmas pudding suitable for babies and toddlers?

    The NHS recommends not giving sugar to babies or young children, this is still quite a high sugar dessert so it's probably best to avoid giving it to little ones. 

    Can I make this recipe without apple and blackcurrant squash?

    If you don’t have any apple and blackcurrant squash you could use a similar flavour, or just use plain water to plump up the mixed fruits. 

    I haven’t got fresh breadcrumbs, can I use packet ones?

    For recipes like this, I prefer to use fresh breadcrumbs as I find the packet ones are often too fine and better kept for coatings and toppings.

    You can easily make bread crumbs yourself by drying out a few slices of bread in a low oven and once cooled, pulsing them in a food processor until you have a coarse crumb. 

    Can I add extra fruit to this alcohol-free Christmas pudding?

    This recipe is well balanced with the amount of dried fruit and apple in the mixture, if you try and add more fruit it will overwhelm the other ingredients and the pudding won’t come together properly.

    How should I store alcohol-free Christmas pudding?

    Once cooled this Christmas pudding should be kept in the fridge to keep it at its best. Pop any leftovers into a suitable container or just pop it back in the pudding bowl with the lid on. 

    How long does alcohol-free Christmas pudding keep?

    As this recipe is alcohol-free it won’t keep anywhere near as long as traditional recipes. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bear in mind that if you make this a few days ahead to count the 5 days from the day you first steam the pudding.

    Can I leave alcohol-free Christmas pudding out on the counter?

    No, other than for serving this Christmas pud should be kept in the fridge, this helps reduce the risk of bacteria spreading on the food. 

    Can I make this alcohol-free Christmas pudding ahead?

    Yes, you can make this recipe a day or two ahead, get your pudding to step 10 in the recipe, after the pudding has been steamed for the first 3 hours. At this point cool the pudding and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to steam again on Christmas day. 

    If you wanted to be really organised you could do the initial making and steaming up to step 10 well in advance and keep the pudding in the freezer for up to a month before the final steam and serving. Defrost in the fridge the night before you wish to serve your pudding. 

    Can I freeze this alcohol-free Christmas pudding?

    I haven’t tried freezing this recipe yet but puddings like this usually freeze well.

    Make sure to wrap the pudding well to help protect it from freezer burn. It will keep in the freezer for up to a month, once thawed, consumed within 24 hours. 

    What is the best way to reheat alcohol-free Christmas pudding?

    I find the best way to reheat Christmas pudding is in the microwave. Put the pudding into a microwave-safe bowl, with a loose-fitting lid, and heat of full for 2-3 minutes until steaming hot.

    Can I make this alcohol-free Christmas pudding in a different quantity?

    When making this in a different quantity keep in mind you might need a different size pudding bowl, and larger pan for steaming, or you could make two.

    To adjust the ingredients head down to the recipe card below where you’ll see the servings is set to 8, which makes enough for a 1-pint pudding bowl.

    Click on the number of servings and a slider will pop up that you can move to get the number of servings you wish to make. 

    My pudding bowl doesn’t have a lid, can I make one?

    The lid is important when steaming any pudding as it taps the steam from the wet ingredients inside the bowl and helps the pudding rise and cook.

    If your pudding bowl doesn't have a lid you can easily make one with some greaseproof or parchment paper, and a bit of string.

    Cut a circle larger than the top of the pudding bowl, you want it to come down the sides a bit so you can secure it on.

    Grease one side of the circle really well with margarine or spray oil, this will become the underside, nearest the pudding. Put your greased paper, grease side down on top of the pudding bowl, and secure around the edge with string, now you're ready to steam. 

    Can I make this recipe in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

    I prefer to mix this recipe by hand as it doesn’t require any strong beating of sugar and butter. If you find it easier to use the stand mixer then go right ahead.

    I’d recommend using the paddle attachment and mix on slow to start with, gradually increasing the speed up to medium. You might need to scrape the sides of the bowl down with a spatular as you add the ingredients, to make sure everything is well incorporated. 

    Can I make this alcohol-free Christmas pudding in the slow cooker or instant pot?

    You can use slow cookers and instant pots to steam puddings, I haven’t tried this recipe in a slow cooker or instant pot yet. Please check the instructions for your particular model, this should give you a guide for settings and timings. 

    How can I make sure this recipe is perfectly cooked?

    This recipe is simple, but time is important to make sure to give the pudding at least an hour in the fridge before the first steam. As you're doing the initial 3-hour steam make sure to keep the pan topped up with water so it doesn't dry out and burn.

    You'll know your pudding is ready when it has risen slightly and come away from the sides of the bowl slightly.

    Why did my pudding stick to the bowl?

    It’s really important to grease the pudding bowl really well to stop this from happening. As the pudding steams, it will shrink a bit and hopefully come away from the bowl.

    If your pudding is being a little stubborn you can carefully run a knife around the edge to loosen it, being careful as the bowl will be very hot, and steam might escape around the edge. 

    Why did my pudding turn out wet and undercooked?

    This pudding is steamed for so long it shouldn’t turn out wet. It's a good idea to get the pan you use to steam hot before you put the pudding in, and make sure to check on it every now and then in case the water needs topping up. 

    How can I add/change the flavours in this dish?

    You can play around with the dried fruit element of this recipe, I’m using mixed dried fruit, a festive combination of raisins currants, and mixed peel.

    Make sure to keep the amounts the same, so 150g or dried fruit for a 1-pint pudding. How about using dried cherries and raisins or figs and sultans, any large fruits should be chopped into smaller pieces.

    Print this alcohol-free Christmas pudding recipe

    Fancy giving this alcohol-free Christmas pudding a go later on, hit PRINT on the recipe card below.

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    4.8 from 5 votes

    Alcohol-Free Christmas Pudding Recipe

    This is a deliciously fruity, fragrant alcohol-free Christmas pudding. Kids will love the lighter, fruitier flavour and texture compared with the dark richness of traditional Christmas pud.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time4 hours hrs
    Chilling time1 hour hr
    Total Time5 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course: Desserts and sweet treats, Festive makes
    Cuisine: British
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: Emily Leary

    Ingredients

    • 60 ml (2 floz) apple and blackcurrant squash
    • 150 g (5.3 oz) dried mixed fruit
    • 10 ml (2 tsp) orange juice
    • 1/2 lemon zest and juice
    • 1/2 eating apples grated
    • 1 medium free range eggs
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) plain white flour (all purpose flour)
    • 60 g (2.1 oz) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) shredded suet vegetarian if needed
    • 35 g (1.2 oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
    • 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice
    • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
    • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp baking powder

    Equipment

    • Weighing scales
    • Measuring spoons
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Wooden spoon
    • 1 pint pudding basin with lid
    • Saucepan with lid

    Instructions

    • Put the mixed fruit and squash in a large bowl and give it a mix. Pop in the microwave for 90 seconds. Stir.
    • Add the orange juice and the lemon zest and juice. Give it another mix.
    • Stir in the grated apple and egg.
    • Add the flour, sugar, suet, breadcrumbs, mixed spice, nutmeg, cinnamon and baking powder.
    • Fold together to give a wet, loose batter.
    • Cover the bowl tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour - or overnight if you have time. The mixture will firm up a little once chilled.
    • Transfer the mixture into a greased 1-pint pudding basins. Fit the lid.
    • Place the pudding basin in a saucepan and add boiling water one third of the way up the pudding basin.
    • Place the lid on the saucepan and simmer for 3 hours. Check the water level occasionally and top it up if it looks like it might boil dry.
    • Carefully remove the pudding from the saucepan and leave to cool with the lids off. Once cold, place the lid back on the basin and store the pudding in the refrigerator. Note: Due to the lack of alcohol in this pudding, it cannot be stored long-term
    • On Christmas Day, steam the puddings the same way for an hour.
    • Serve on its own, or with pouring cream, ice cream or custard! Delicious!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 415mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg
    * Note: nutritional information is estimated, based on publicly available data. Nutrient values may vary from those published. Information on this website should not be taken as medical advice. Cuisines identify the primary region of inspiration for a dish.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @amummytoo on Instagram or tag @EmilyLearyCooks on Twitter. I can't wait to see your posts!

    Pin this non-alcoholic Christmas pudding

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    Front angle shot of Christmas pudding with a fork going into the side. At the bottom of the image there's some text describing the image for Pinterest.
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    Front facing photo of a Christmas pudding on a white plate with some holly leaves at the side. There's some text at the top of the image describing it for Pinterest.

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    Get the recipe
    Christmas Pudding Muffins with Spiced Rum Frosting Recipe
    Christmas pudding muffins are a gorgeous, festive treat to get you in the Christmas spirit, with plenty of fruit in the muffin, topped with a delicious spiced rum frosting.
    Get the recipe
    Spiced Christmas Cupcakes with Marzipan Frosting Recipe
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    Get the recipe
    Christmas Spiced Chocolate Salami Recipe
    This eye-catching chocolate salami is extra Christmasy thanks to cranberries, pistachios, orange zest and Schwartz ground cinnamon and whole cloves
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    Orange and Cinnamon Muffins Recipe
    These orange and cinnamon muffins are wonderfully soft, irresistibly aromatic and perfectly studded with deliciously juicy mixed fruit. They're the perfect treat for the festive season.
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    1. Julia says

      February 27, 2024 at 6:08 pm

      It took lots of effort to make this Christmas pudding and we were all looking forward to it but the texture was slimy and inedible. Very disappointing.

      Reply
      • Emily Leary says

        March 02, 2024 at 8:01 pm

        That's very strange. If it was slimy and inedible, something definitely went wrong. It should set completely and taste juicy and delicious. Did you have the lid fitted properly? And did you make sure to simmer the water rather than a ferocious boil? My guess is that steam got into the pudding basin and made the mixture wet. That, or the quantities were measured incorrectly.

        Reply
    2. anna says

      November 06, 2013 at 2:43 am

      OMG ribena christmas pudding!!!! amazing idea! Have so much problems finding non alcoholic xmas pudding not just for the kids sake but because we can't have alcohol. Only problem, im not a great cook so don't know if I could make it. May give it a try?? but this should be made and sold in shops! Love ribena :D

      Reply

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