Alternative Christmas pudding recipes: Chocolate bombe (2024)

By Jo Pratt for MailOnline
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Fancy a change this year? These delicious desserts can be made in advance - and will perk up your Christmas lunch no end.

One way to reduce your stress levels while entertaining over Christmas is to prepare at least part of the meal in advance, so on the day you simply take it out of the freezer.

With this in mind, I've chosen some make-ahead desserts which not only freeze brilliantly, but also make excellent alternatives to plum pudding on Christmas Day - and have that festive 'wow' factor.

Alternative Christmas pudding recipes: Chocolate bombe (1)

Chocolate bombe recipe: If you happen to have any bombe left over, keep it in the fridge so it can be enjoyed over the next two days

They include one of my all-time favourites: a wickedly delicious chocolate bombe. The fruity pavlova is also a family classic.

I wasn't sure about freezing the meringue, but it actually works rather well. You lose the crispness, but the result is a marshmallow softness which becomes gloriously gooey with the cream and soft fruits. The baked cheesecake is particularly easy to prepare.

SERVES 8

INGREDIENTS

  • 125g (4 1/2oz) dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
  • 125g (4 1/2oz) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
  • 75g (2 1/2oz) caster sugar
  • 2 medium eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2tbsp brandy
  • 8 trifle sponges

TO SERVE

  • 200ml double cream
  • Cocoa powder, to dust

METHOD

  1. Place the chocolate in a bowl with 4tbsp of water. Gently melt over a pan of gently simmering water or in the microwave. Stir until smooth, and then set aside until it has cooled slightly. Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric hand whisk, until it is light and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs, a little at a time. The mixture will appear to have curdled, but don't worry, it will be fine after the next stage. Mix the chocolate into the butter mixture, along with the brandy, until everything is combined. Set aside.
  2. Cut each of the trifle sponges into three wafer-thin slices and use enough to line a greased 1.2ltr (2pt) pudding bowl. Spoon in some of the chocolate mixture and smooth over the top. Add a layer of trifle sponges and then another layer of chocolate. Continue until you have used up all of the sponges and chocolate, finishing with a layer of sponge on top.
  3. Cover the surface loosely with clingfilm and then place a saucer on top, pressing down lightly. Place in the fridge for about 24 hours, then remove the saucer and place in the freezer. It will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.
  4. When you are ready to serve the chocolate bombe, remove from the freezer and turn upside down onto a serving plate, sliding a palate knife around the edge of the bowl and tapping lightly on the top to help.
  5. Lightly whip the cream and spread it around the outside of the chocolate bombe. Finish with a heavy dusting of cocoa powder and serve.

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Alternative Christmas pudding recipes: Chocolate bombe (6)

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Alternative Christmas pudding recipes: Chocolate bombe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of chocolate pudding mix? ›

You can replace pudding mix in baked goods with alternatives like cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or custard powder for thickening. Additionally, using Greek yogurt, sour cream, or applesauce can add moisture and a similar texture to your recipes.

Is there an alternative to steaming a Christmas pudding? ›

Generally you would place the pudding in a deep roasting tin or a casserole. Then add boiling water so that it is about half way up the side of the basin and then cover the whole thing with a tent of strong foil which needs to be pinched tightly around the edge.

Can I replace suet with butter? ›

Frozen butter: Use shredded frozen butter as an alternative to suet in pie crusts. It's important to note that butter has a lower melting point than suet and will melt much faster.

What's the difference between Christmas pudding and figgy pudding? ›

Figgy pudding is a specific type of Christmas or plum pudding that contains figs as a primary ingredient along with other dried fruits,” Heron says. “However, the name 'figgy pudding' doesn't always mean it exclusively contains figs. It could contain a variety of dried fruits in addition to or alongside figs.

Is there a substitute for instant chocolate pudding? ›

Chocolate Pudding Mix for Baking

Make your own pudding mix easily by combining 3/4 cup of dry milk powder, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of corn starch and 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa in a mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients until they are completely combined.

Can I use custard powder instead of pudding mix? ›

A: Both Birds custard powder and American pudding powder use corn starch to thicken - use either. But Birds has a nice vanilla flavour, so you’d need to add vanilla to pudding powder to get the same result. Both need cooking with milk. Clear and wobbly jello uses gelatin to set.

Is it better to boil or steam Christmas pudding? ›

Ideally we would suggest that when the pudding is made it is steamed for 8 hours (the combined time of the first and second steamings) as the steaming is important for the flavour of the pudding. The pudding can then be microwaved to reheat it on Christmas Day.

Why did my Christmas pudding go Mouldy but? ›

For the pudding, the most likely cause of mould is moisture.

How to cook Christmas pudding in air fryer? ›

Grease a heatproof dish that fits into your air fryer and pour in the pudding mixture. 7. Air fry for 20-25 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Is suet necessary in Christmas pudding? ›

The fat really just holds the pudding together and other replacements for suet are coconut oil, butter, or vegetable oil but I would suggest using proper recipes for any substitution.

What can I use if I don't have suet? ›

If you can't find suet or you just don't want to use it, try shortening instead. One of the advantages of using vegetable shortening is that it is suitable for vegetarian dishes. Before using it, freeze the shortening until it is very firm.

Can I use butter instead of suet for Christmas pudding? ›

Put all of the pudding ingredients, including the grated shortening, into a large mixing bowl and stir until there are no large lumps of vegetable shortening, though you should see small flecks. Butter could also be used as an alternative and the method for using butter is the same as for shortening.

What is the old name for Christmas pudding? ›

Christmas Pudding (also known as plum pudding or figgy pudding) is a dish as famous as it is misunderstood. In America, Christmas Pudding (also known as plum pudding or figgy pudding) is a dish as famous as it is misunderstood.

What do Americans call Christmas pudding? ›

First off, the English term “pudding” can refer to just about any “dessert”, though “Christmas pudding” is a specific type of dessert, that an American is more likely to call an extreme variant of a “soaked cake” or “brandy cake”.

Is a plum pudding a Christmas pudding? ›

Christmas dessert was banned, then back on the menu again!

Plum pudding became the customary Christmas dessert around 1650, but in 1664 the Puritans in England attempted to ban it. It's said that the Puritans thought Christmas pudding to be 'sinfully rich' and 'unfit for God-fearing people'.

What is a substitute for instant pudding mix? ›

Vanilla pudding mix is basically cornstarch, sugar, and artificial flavorings and coloring. So to replace it in a recipe, you need cornstarch and sweetener and vanilla flavor. A standard vanilla pudding recipe contains: So thats 1 part cornstarch to 2 parts sugar.

Is pancake mix the same as pudding mix? ›

That's right, Yorkshire pudding mix and pancake mix are the exact same thing. Yorkshire pudding batter ALSO requires plain flour, eggs, milk and sunflower or vegetable oil. The only difference is the way you cook it. Yorkshire pudding batter is just pancake mix cooked in the oven.

What does adding pudding mix to cake mix do? ›

Put some pudding in the mix: Add a small box of pudding mix in with the cake mix. (Don't make the pudding.) The mix adds additional flavor, moistness, and a denser texture.

What is similar to pudding? ›

  • custard.
  • dessert.
  • mousse.
  • tapioca.

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