Low Fat Christmas Pudding

Ingredients

• 75g currants
• 75g sultanas
• 115g raisins
• 50ml brandy
• 75g glace cherries
• 75g self-raising flour
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 50g breadcrumbs
• 50g light muscovado sugar
• 115g apples, sliced
• 115g carrots, grated
• 60ml skimmed milk
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 10ml lemon juice
• 2 medium eggs
• 2 tbsp treacle
• 60ml brandy, for serving

Method

1. First of all soak the dried fruit in the brandy overnight.

2. Shake the cherries in the flour and add mixed spice, cinnamon, breadcrumbs and sugar.

3. Mix in the grated peel/zest, apple and carrot along with the lemon juice. Add the soaked fruit.

4. Beat the eggs with the milk and treacle, slowly add to the mixture, stirring well. Mix gently but thoroughly.

5. Place in a 1.2litre ovenproof dish. If you wish to microwave the pudding, place an upturned plate over the dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then microwave for a further 5 minutes. If you wish to steam the pudding, cover with foil or pudding cloth, and then steam gently for 3 hours.

6. Once cooked allow to cool and then wrap in foil and leave in a cool dry place until required.

7. Before reheating, prod the pudding several times with a fork and pour the 60ml brandy over the top. Steam for 1-2 hours or microwave on high for 10 mins.