As far back as I can remember, when we had Christmas dinner at my Nana and Pop’s (Dad’s side) one of many desserts would be a Christmas Pudding with White Sauce. Nana liked her sweets as much or more than I did, if that is even possible! Dad said growing up they always had dessert and he always found out what dessert was going to be before he ate dinner, as it would determine how much dinner he ate. haha!
A normal dinner at Nana and Pop’s there would be at least one, maybe 2 different desserts, but come holiday time I would not be exaggerating to say there would be at least 5 different desserts. When I say desserts I mean a full on fancy cake or something to that extent not like just cookies and squares, though they were there as well. So, I do get my sweet tooth honestly.
Nana died 14 years ago and we have not had a Christmas Pudding since. For the past 3 years or so I have bought all the ingredients to make the Pudding and then threw them out in about April. I would get busy for one reason or another and I just didn’t get made.
This year I was determined! I was going to make the Pudding!
I didn’t tell anyone I was making it, especially Dad. I wanted it to be a surprise for Christmas.
I got this recipe from my Aunt who got all Nana’s recipes. I don’t know where Nana got it from, it was just typed on a page.
This will be one of the few recipes I just show through pictures. This recipe is special to me and I want to keep it a family secret.
Nana’s Christmas Pudding
The Pudding is not at all difficult to make, just time consuming. It is cooked with steam. If you do not have a steamer, you need a large pot that your bowl will fit into. I did not have a rack to keep the bowl out of the water, so I made a tinfoil raiser.
I got these bowls from Nana ass well. This is what she made her puddings in.
Prepare the bowl with shortening and flour
The only instructions were ‘combine all ingredients’ so that is what I did
Cover with parchment and tie with string
I accidentally deleted the pictures of the putting in the steaming pot.
7 hours later…
I made it a week before Christmas, because that is when I had the time. I wasn’t sure how it would last so I froze it for the week. I have since learned these things last for EVER, so in the fridge would have been fine.
White Sauce
I know no other name for this sauce only that Nana called it White Sauce. It is amazing, well how I remember it when Nana made it at least. It has a texture and taste of nothing I have had before. To be honest, I could just use a spoon to eat it, forget the cake!
I started to take pictures then there was a quick change in our plans. Half was made at home and half at Gramma and Poppa’s. The part at Gramma and Poppa’s I forgot to take pictures
Annnnnd complete! haha
When I was finished making the white sauce I had to try it. There is a picture of me when I was about 6 with the whole bowl of sauce and me with a big spoon full in my mouth, I was caught! That is how good it is!! I just hoped it was as good as I remembered.
It was PERFECT! I nailed it! It tasted just like Nana’s! I was thrilled. At this point if the Pudding didn’t turn out at least we had bowls of sauce. Into the fridge for a few hours until dessert.
Now time to re steam the Pudding. Yes, back in the pot (which I forgot to take pictures of again!) for 2 hours to heat and moisten.
We are full of an amazing turkey dinner – Gramma outdid herself.
18 pound turkey for 7 people = lots of leftovers for me!!
Dessert time!
I am very nervous about getting the Pudding out of the bowl. Even though I prepared my bowl, I fear it will stick.
It worked! A huge sigh of relief.
Now to put it all together.
Mom, Dad, Gramma and Poppa had eaten Nana’s Pudding all those years ago, so they new what it was going to be compared to. That’s a high standard!
Look at that! It looks perfect
One word- WOW
This WAS Nana’s Pudding! I could hardly believe it. It was perfect!
The looks on Mom, Dad, Gramma and Poppa’s faces said it all. They loved it and said it tasted EXACTLY like Nana’s.
The warm moist Pudding combine with the cold creamy White sauce was amazing!
Not everyone likes Pudding, but we love it. I am so glad it worked and I will definitely be making it again. Poppa said, ‘we won’t have to wait til next Christmas for another one will we?’ I guess that means he liked it.
Most importantly, I am glad Dad liked it. A wonderful way to carry on his tradition and keep Nana’s spirit alive at Christmas.
I will admit, just like when I was little, I sat down with a bowl of sauce and a spoon 😉