I have to begin this recipe with a terrible confession - I don’t love Christmas pudding. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the spectacle of it, and I don’t begrudge the singers of ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ for their protracted and frankly intimidating insistence on getting their figgy pudding. But it’s always been a bit too dense and suety for me, and I’ve never been a big fan of dried fruit, so I’ve been on the hunt for a Christmas alternative.
I’ve dug up a family recipe from my grandma’s archive - the Ambassador’s Pudding. No, not Ferrero Rocher, but a light chocolatey mousse run through with fruit, crushed biscuits for texture, and some brandy to give it a punch. If you can believe it, is actually one of the healthier recipes in the family cookbook (my great grandma belonged to the school of post-rationing 1970s cooking where everything contained at least a half pound of lard, was suspended in Aspic and/or garnished with a lit Benson and Hedges, so trust me, this is a lighter option).
It’s a no-bake recipe so it’s incredibly simple to prepare, and the grapes can be substituted for any cold fruit of your choice (I’d recommend chopped strawberries for a little more acidity). So follow these steps for a delicious light alternative to Christmas pud - hope you enjoy!
Ingredients:
¾ lbs plain chocolate
3 ½ oz. Petit buerre biscuits
3 ½ oz. butter
3 ½ oz. sifted icing sugar
3 tbsp double cream
2 egg yolks
2 egg whites (stiffly whipped)
2 oz. peeled grapes (or chopped fruit of your choice)
3 tbsp kirsch
2 tbsp water
Method:
1. Crumble the biscuits coarsely.
2. Soften the chocolate in a small pan over medium heat with water. Beat in the butter in flakes before turning the mixture to a bowl.
3. Beat in the egg yolks and stir in the sugar. Follow by beating in egg-whites, then fruit, biscuits, kirsch and finally cream.
4. Grease a 5” diameter cake tin (sliding base if you can find it) with unsalted butter or oil. Scrape the mixture into the tin and chill in the fridge (keeps for three days).
5. Unmould and serve with cream.
Welcome to Daily Info’s 2023 Advent Calendar – 24 days of festive tips, free activities & local shopping suggestions!
This year's calendar offers a mix of Christmas suggestions, taking in traditions in Oxford and the wider area, and free activities & events in the build up to the big day.
