Easy Christmas Pudding

First of all, you want to make your breadcrumbs. Take your bread and tear it up and put it into the food processor. Blitz until you have breadcrumbs.

Add all of the above ingredients to a bowl and using a wooden spoon mix really well until everything is combined

Pour the mix into a lightly oiled 900ml glass ovenproof bowl.

If you are planning on cooking your Christmas pudding in the microwave, cover loosely with a round circle of greaseproof paper, you just need to lay it over the top of the mix and place in the microwave for 13-15 minutes on high. To check it is done, you can put a knife through it and if it comes out clean it is cooked.

If you are steaming, take a large circle of greaseproof paper and make a small fold down the middle as though you are folding the paper back on itself to give you a little pleat. With this place over your pudding basin and then cover over the top with tin foil. Use some string to secure both the layers.

Take a large deep saucepan or pan and place the pudding basin in the middle. Pour boiling water around until it comes up to halfway up the side of the pudding bow. Cover with a lid and then steam for 4 hours topping up the water very hour or so if needed. Here you can also cook the pudding in the microwave if needed. This can be done by covering loosely with just greaseproof paper and then placing in the microwave on high for around 13-15 minutes. Put a knife into it and it if comes out clean it is cooked.

Once the pudding is cooked, leave to cool completely. This can sit and wait for up to 2 months before Christmas as long as it is well covered, and it can be reheated on the day.

On Christmas day you can reheat the pudding in the microwave for 5 minutes on high until piping hot.

Serve with brandy butter, cream and a sprinkle of icing sugar