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Helston pudding

Fruit pudding on silver dish surrounded by pink and white flowers. White tablecloth.

Although very similar to a traditional Christmas Pudding, this version from Helston in Cornwall was served on Flora Day in early May.  Flora Day is a festival that celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring and includes pageants, Mummers’ plays and the famous Floral Dance.  

Equipment

  • 1 litre pudding basin
  • Weighing scales
  • Measuring jug
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Greaseproof paper
  • Kitchen foil
  • String
  • Large-lidded saucepan or steamer

Preparation method

  • Grease the pudding basin with butter and place a buttered disc of greaseproof paper in the bottom of the basin. This is to ensure the top of your pudding won’t stick when you turn it out.
  • Place all the dry ingredients into the large mixing bowl and mix together well.
  • Place the milk in the measuring jug, add the eggs and whisk together.
  • Add the milk and egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir well. You should have a wet and sloppy consistency so add more milk if you need to.
  • Place the mixture into the prepared pudding basin and cover with a disc of buttered greaseproof paper.
  • Make a pleat in a piece of kitchen foil and cover the basin with it, making sure you place the pleat in the centre of the basin. Secure the foil with string tied round the edge of the basin, ensuring you create a ‘handle’ with which you can remove the pudding from the hot water.
  • Place the pudding in the large-lidded saucepan and fill with boiling water two thirds up the sides of the pudding basin.
  • Cover the saucepan and steam for 2 hours making sure you check the level of the water and top up from the kettle if necessary.
  • Allow to cool slightly before removing from the pan and turning out onto a serving dish.

Tip: To make breadcrumbs, the best way is to place chunks of bread into a blender and whizz.  You may need to turn the blender off occasionally and push the bread pieces down with a wooden spoon
For tips and step-by-step instructions, see my guide on making puddings using a basin or mould.

Norman and Medieval

Serves:
8
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 120 g raisins
  • 120 g currants
  • 120 g vegetable suet
  • 120 g ground rice
  • 100 g white breadcrumbs
  • 30 g candied mixed peel
  • 120 g plain flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • Pinch salt
  • 200 g whole milk
  • 2 medium eggs, beaten

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Helston pudding
Serving Size
 
128 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
380
Percent of Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
8.8
g
55
%
Cholesterol
 
54
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
290
mg
13
%
Potassium
 
254
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
51
g
17
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Protein
 
6.9
g
14
%
Calcium
 
57
mg
6
%
Iron
 
1.1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Keywords

Dried fruit