3 medium British free-range Woodland eggs by Sainsbury's, beaten
100g Sainsbury's ground almonds
200g soft muscovado sugar
140g self-raising flour
20g Sainsbury's almonds, halved
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice by Sainsbury's
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon by Sainsbury's
Instructions
Put the mixed fruit, dried figs and glacé cherries into large pan with the brandy and bring to the boil; turn down and simmer for five minutes. Remove from the heat, cover with a lid and leave to soak overnight.
Grease a 1 litre pudding basin.
Mix together the cooking apple, orange juice and zest, suet, beaten eggs, ground almonds, sugar, and flour in a large mixing bowl.
Stir in the soaked fruit, almonds, mixed spice and cinnamon. Pour into the greased basin. Cover the basin with two large circles of greaseproof paper and one of tin foil and secure around the top of the basin with string. Make a handle across the basin with the string.
Place the basin in a large saucepan, with a lid, and pour in boiling water until it comes half way up the basin. Cover with the lid and steam for two hours. Allow to cool, then wrap the whole basin in foil and store until Christmas (see tip).
One hour and 30 minutes before you want to serve the pudding, place into a large saucepan, as before, and steam for 1 hour and 30 minutes until cooked through and springy to touch.
To serve, pour over a couple of tablespoons of brandy and light the pudding. Serve with brandy butter, cream or vanilla custard.
Notes
Cook’s tips: Store your prepared pudding, well wrapped and in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
Flaming your pudding Warm a little brandy, pour over the undecorated steamed pudding and light.