Mincemeat Plum Pudding Recipes

DIANA'S PLUM PUDDING (PLUM PUDDING OF INFAMY)

Steps:

• Butter and flour inside of Bundt pan.
• Remove crusts and ends of the loaf; reserve for another use, if desired.
• Divide slices of bread into three even, separate piles.
• Cut the first third of bread slices diagonally into fourths (to make 4 triangles).
• Arrange these triangles in bottom of Bundt pan, fitting together like a jigsaw puzzle to completely cover the bottom and sides of pan.
• Arrange 1/2 of the drained plum halves cut-side down on top of bread triangles in the bottom of the pan.
• Top the plums with one cup of raisins sprinkled evenly around the layer.
• Sprinkle with ½ cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
• Pour ½ cup melted butter over all.
• Cut another third of the bread into triangles, and layer it over the plums and raisins.
• Top that layer of bread with the remaining plum halves, raisins, ½ cup sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
• Use the last third of bread,cut into triangles, to cover the ingredients int he bundt pan.
• Use clean hands to GENTLY press down on bread to compress the ingredients and pack them into the pan, and sprinkle with remaining sugar.
• Place Bundt pan on baking sheet with sides.
• In a separate large bowl, beat eggs thoroughly, then add cream and mix inches.
• Slowly pour egg mixture over top of pan, allowing it to soak into bread layers, being careful not to overfill pan (I used a bamboo skewer to open channels along edges of pan to let more egg mixture seep down. As it soaks in you can add more mixture.).
• Sprinkle nutmeg over top and allow to rest for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in middle position.
• Place Bundt pan with baking pan in oven for 70 minutes.
• Let cool for 20 minutes.
• Turn out onto serving platter or cool completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Bring to room temperature before serving (or warm individual slices in microwave).
• Dust with powdered sugar.
• For sauce:.
• Beat butter until fluffy.
• Beat in 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon liquor OR milk.
• Repeat with remaining sugar and liquor OR milk.
• Beat until smooth and thick, but pourable.
• Store covered in refrigerator.
• Let stand at room temperature for ½ hour before serving.
• Drizzle pudding with hard sauce, soft sauce, or top with ice cream before serving.

TINY TIM'S PLUM PUDDING

Steps:

• Generously grease an 8-cup pudding mold, metal gelatin mold or ovenproof bowl; set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, mix bread crumbs, flour, orange zest, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, salt and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in plums, dates, raisins, carrots and currants., Transfer to prepared pudding mold. Cover tightly with heavy-duty foil; tie foil with kitchen string to secure., Place on a rack in a stockpot; add 3 in. hot water to pot. Bring water to a gentle boil; steam cake, covered, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 2 to 2-1/2 hours, adding more water to pot as needed. Remove pudding from pot; let stand 5 minutes before unmolding., Meanwhile, in a bowl, beat hard sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Unmold pudding onto a serving plate; serve warm with sauce.

MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.