Whilst you should really make your Christmas pudding as early as possible to let the flavours intensify, it is never too late to make one to enjoy over the festive period. This aromatic and rich pudding is traditionally made using 13 ingredients representing Jesus and the 12 disciples, however it isn’t unusual to see variations of this. We’ve put together a round-up of Christmas pudding recipes that will appeal to all tastes, so no one misses out.

Traditional Christmas pudding
This classic Christmas pudding is packed with all the delicious flavours associated with Christmas including almonds, apples, candied peel, nutmeg, raisins, orange, ginger and the all-important brandy which is used in your pud mix and to make brandy butter. Steam your pudding for eight hours, then store until the big day. Make sure you have plenty of brandy to pour over your pudding and set light (carefully) for the perfect finish to your Christmas meal.
View this traditional Christmas pudding recipe.

Sticky Toffee Christmas pudding (alcohol-free)
If you are avoiding the alcohol then you’ll love this indulgent pudding. For this version, you’ll need to combine golden syrup, butter, muscovado sugar, self-raising flour, almonds, ginger, eggs, milk bicarbonate of soda and pecans and bake in the oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Make sure your pudding is warm, then cover in a generous helping of sticky toffee sauce made from light musco, black treacle, butter and crème fraiche for a delicious mouthful of spiced ginger and gooey toffee. It is truly scrumptious!
View this sticky toffee Christmas pudding recipe

Vegan Christmas pudding
This pudding tastes just as good as the traditional one but omits the eggs. It also has a double helping of alcohol with brandy and dark stout. For this recipe you’ll need sultanas, currants, dried figs, prunes, dried apricots, glace cherries, candied peels, vegan suet, sugar, almonds, apple, mixed spice, orange, self-raising flour plus the alcohol. Half the ingredients are mixed and cooled the day before the rest is then added the next day before steaming for four hours. Steam again for three hours on Christmas day before you tuck in and savour this boozy, rich dessert.
View this vegan Christmas pudding recipe.

Easy Christmas pudding (alcohol-free)
If you are looking for a quick and simple alternative this 15-minute recipe will save you time and stress. For the mix you’ll need jars of luxury mincemeat, orange zest, brandy, self-raising flour, mixed spice, white breadcrumbs and an egg. Once mixed together you can steam for three hours, or microwave for 8-10 minutes loosely covered with greaseproof paper. Serve with a dusting of icing sugar and decorate with fresh berries.
View this easy Christmas pudding recipe

Mini Christmas pudding
Unfortunately not everyone loves a Christmas pudding so making individual puddings allows you to cater for those who do. This recipe makes eight puddings so you can freeze some if you don’t plan to eat them all. You’ll need prunes, apricots, fruit mix, oranges, mixed spice, almonds, sugar, butter, eggs, fresh breadcrumbs, flour and brandy. Mix half the ingredients, including the brandy, the day before and combine with the rest the following day before steaming in eight individual pudding basins. Steam, then store in a cold environment ready for Christmas. Flambé with brandy and serve with a brandy cream for the ultimate yuletide treat.
View this mini Christmas pudding recipe

For more Christmas recipes check out our Christmas cookie recipes or our Christmas dinner ideas.

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