Reheating Christmas Pudding

Asked by nickybowen. Answered on 23rd December 2011

Full question

Hi, I have made Nigella's Christmas pudding and I want to give one to my Mum but don't want to have to leave her to steam the pudding a second time. If I steam it again and leave it for her to heat in the microwave, how long will the pudding last once the second steaming has been done? Can you suggest times for reheating in a microwave? I have made her a 2pt pudding. Thank you.

Our answer

It is possible to reheat the Christmas pudding in a microwave. Ideally you would make the pudding in a plastic bowl and give it its full steaming (of 8 hours) first time around.You can then wrap the pudding and store it for reheating on Christmas day following the microwave instructions below.

If you want to steam the pudding for a second time on Christmas eve then let it cool and store it overnight in the fridge. To reheat it in a microwave we can only give approximate timings but for an 800W oven first then loosen the lid of the basin slightly or wrap the basin in clingfilm/plastic wrap and poke a couple of holes in the top (do not put any foil in the microwave). Microwave on full power for 4 minutes, stand for 3 minutes, microwave on low/defrost for 7 minutes and stand for 5 minutes before unmoulding. This should be enough to warm the pudding through.

We would however caution on reheating leftovers if you follow this second method as foods should really only be reheated twice.