Low Fat Christmas Pudding Recipes

Steps:

• Tip the sultanas, apricots, raisins and mixed peel in a bowl, and pour over the rum. Stir, cover and soak for at least 3 hrs or overnight.
• Butter a 1-litre pudding basin and line the base with a small circle of baking parchment. Beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl using an electric whisk, until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the flour, breadcrumbs and spices. Fold in the rehydrated fruits and peel, their soaking liquid and the apple. Spoon into the prepared basin, pressing it down firmly with the back of the spoon. Cover with a sheet of baking parchment, then a sheet of foil, and secure with kitchen string.
• Put an upturned plate in the base of a large pan and sit the pudding on top, then fill the pan with water until it comes halfway up the side of the basin. Alternatively, put the pudding in the top of a lidded steamer and cover. Steam for 2 hrs 30 mins, ensuring the water doesn't run dry. Remove the pudding from the pan and leave to cool completely.
• Uncover the cooled pudding and wrap in a clean sheet of foil. Will keep in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks, or the freezer for up to three months. See tip, below, for reheating it on the day.

Steps:

• In a mixing bow, combine milk, yogurt, pudding mix and vanilla. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Spoon into serving dishes. Chill. If desired, garnish with cherries and mint.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the currants, raisins, candied peel, glacé cherries, mixed spice, nutmeg, orange zest and juice, the lemon zest and brandy together. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to soak overnight.
• The next day, put an upturned saucer or trivet in the bottom of a deep, wide saucepan and half-fill the pan with water. Bring to a simmer over a low-medium heat. Oil a 1.5-litre pudding basin and line the base with a circle of baking parchment.
• Stir the flaked almonds, apple, ground almonds, baking powder, flour, breadcrumbs, sugar and eggs into the bowl of dried fruit using a wooden spoon. Tip the mixture into the prepared basin, packing it in with the back of the spoon, then cover the surface with another circle of parchment. Cover the basin with sheet of baking parchment, followed by a double layer of foil, then secure it around the rim with kitchen string. Tie on a loop of string to make a handle. Carefully lower the basin onto the upturned saucer in the pan of simmering water and cover with a lid. Cook for 6 hrs, topping up with boiling water from the kettle if needed to ensure the water doesn't boil off below the halfway line.
• Once the pudding is cooked, remove the basin from the pan and leave to cool completely. Remove the pudding from the basin, wrap well in baking parchment and foil and store in a cool, dark place for up to three months. To reheat, return the pudding to its basin, cover as before and lower into a pan of simmering water. Cover and warm through for 1-2 hrs, then remove and serve with brandy cream.

Steps:

• For the pudding, empty the first six cups and the nuts, if using, into a mixing bowl with the spices, then stir in the milk and egg. Once well combined, tip into a buttered 1.5 litre pudding bowl.
• Cover with a double layer of buttered foil, making a pleat in the centre to allow the pudding to rise. Tie the foil securely with string, then place in a steamer or large pan containing enough gently simmering water to come halfway up the sides of the bowl. Steam, covered with a lid, for 2½ hours. Check the water level during cooking, topping up if necessary. If you are preparing this pudding ahead, remove the foil, let it cool slightly, then wrap in cling film and then fresh foil. If you are serving it immediately, unwrap and invert onto a deep plate.
• For the sauce, put everything in a pan and bring slowly to the boil, stirring. Allow to bubble away for 2-3 minutes, still stirring, until the sugar has dissolved and the sauce is pale caramel in colour and slightly thickened. Remove from the heat. Pour the sauce over the pudding and decorate with the whole mixed nuts.