Full question
I want to share the tradition of making a Christmas pudding with my American friends. We plan to get together to make your recipe, but as there will be several puddings being made I will be unable to steam all the puddings at the same time. Will the recipe spoil if the puddings are put into the bowls and not steamed immediately ? Can they be stored in a fridge for a couple of hours until the steaming is commenced ? Looking forward to my friends and I enjoying another Nigella recipe. MandyNeat
You recommend storing an Xmas pudding in a cool dark place. Is the fridge OK? I have a small central heated house, finding dark cool places is not easy.
Our answer
The uncooked Christmas pudding batter will keep for a short time before cooking. If unrefrigerated then we would suggest no longer than 3 hours. If the battter is refrigerated then up to one day is fine, though let it stand at room temperature for about 45 minutes before steaming so that the pudding batter can come up to room temperature.
After cooking, Christmas Cakes and Christmas Puddings are best stored in a cool dark place as warm environments tend to increase the risk of deterioration, particularly if the temperature fluctuates a lot or is very warm. In centrally heated homes this can be more difficult and if you have a cool but lighter place then that should suffice (make sure that the pudding is well-wrapped).
It is possible to store the pudding in the fridge, though this may take up quite a lot of shelf space. Alternatively you could freeze the pudding. Make sure that it is tightly wrapped on the outside in a double layer of clingfilm (plastic wrap) or foil. The pudding will freeze for up to a year. Thaw the pudding for 24 hours at room temperture before giving it a second steaming.
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