Traditional Plum Pudding with apple juice Butter Sauce
This warmly spiced pudding is packed with dried fruits, citrus zest, apple, and carrot for a moist, rich texture. It’s similar in style to traditional British steamed puddings like Christmas pudding, but served with a luscious apple butter sauce instead of brandy sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
For the Pudding
1 cup sultanas
1/2 cup chopped prunes
1/4 cup candied citrus peel
1/4 cup glace fruit mix
1/2 cup glace mixed cherries
1 apple, grated
1 carrot, finely grated
Zest and juice of 1 orange
3 tbsp apple juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
For the Apple Butter Sauce
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
Extra apple juice (for serving, optional)
Icing sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Fruit Base
In a bowl, combine sultanas, prunes, candied peel, glace fruit mix, cherries, grated apple, grated carrot, orange zest, orange juice, and apple juice.
Mix well and let sit for 10–15 minutes to soften and absorb flavors.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg and mix until smooth.
4. Combine
Fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture.
Stir in the fruit mixture until evenly combined.
5. Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease an 8-inch round or square baking dish.
Spoon batter into the dish and smooth the top.
Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Apple Butter Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
Stir in sugar and cream.
Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
Serve warm over slices of pudding.
Drizzle with a little apple juice if desired and dust lightly with icing sugar.