Is It Too Late To Make The Ultimate Christmas Pudding?

Our answer

Nigella's Ultimate Christmas Pudding (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) is usually made up to 6 weeks ahead of Christmas day, which means that it is not a pudding that needs very long maturing. So it is possible to make the pudding closer to Christmas, if that is more practical, and if necessary the puddings could be made on Christmas Eve.

The dried fruits should be steeped overnight, or for up to 1 week, in the sherry, but if this is not possible then put the fruits and sherry in a large saucepan over a medium heat, bring up to simmering point, remove from the heat and leave for 1-2 hours to cool before using. After the first 5 hours of steaming the puddings may not look that dark but do not worry as the colour deepens on the second steaming.