Figgy orange Christmas pud

Method

• step 1

  Tip the sultanas, raisins, currants, figs, mixed peel, apple, orange zest and juice, triple sec and stout into a large bowl. Stir everything together, cover and leave to soak overnight.

• step 2

  The next day, tip the eggs, suet, flour, breadcrumbs, cocoa, mixed spice, brown sugar and hazelnuts into the bowl with the soaked fruit along with ½ tsp salt and stir well with a wooden spoon to combine.

• step 3

  Butter a 1.5-litre pudding basin and line the base with a circle of baking parchment. Spoon in the pudding mixture, pressing it down well with the spoon to pack it into the basin. Make a gap in the centre using the back of the spoon (this helps the pudding rise evenly, so it ends up with a flat base). Cover the surface with a circle of baking parchment. Layer a sheet of foil over a double-layer of parchment, then fold together to create a pleat and use this to cover the whole basin. Secure by tying a piece of kitchen string around the rim. Trim away the excess, then loop around another piece of string and tie it for a handle. Put an upturned saucer in the base of a large pan, then lower in the basin and fill the pan with just-boiled water from the kettle so it comes halfway up the sides of the basin. Or, use a steamer if you have one. Cover with a lid and keep the water simmering to steam the pudding for 6 hrs. Remove from
  the pan and leave to cool completely. To store, unwrap the pudding, then cover with fresh parchment, foil and string as before. Keep in a cool, dark place for up to six months.

• step 4

  To serve, steam for 2 hrs as above, then turn out onto a serving plate. Drizzle with a little triple sec, if you like, and carefully light the top. Serve with cream or custard.