How to Steam a Pudding

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Steamed pudding is a classic dessert that you might eat on a chilly winter’s night. Sweet or savory, this method of cooking up a cake mix leaves the sponge moist and light, and it pairs perfectly with cream or hard sauce. When you steam a dessert instead of baking it, prepping the mold and wrapping it up is key; the rest is mostly waiting. By keeping a few tips in mind, you can wow your friends and family with a delicious steamed pudding that looks professional!

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Fill the Mold

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  1. You can use a steamer mold, a pudding basin, or any dish that’s oven-safe. Grab a pat of butter and give it a light coat all over so your pudding doesn’t stick to the inside once it’s steamed. [1]
    • Adding grease is super important! Otherwise, your pudding could get stuck and lose chunks when you go to turn it out.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    You can steam tons of different puddings: Christmas puddings, fruit and nut puddings, cranberry puddings, and even chocolate puddings. Pour your mixture into the mold, then use a spoon to pack it down flat. [2]
    • Try to leave about 1 in (2.5 cm) of space at the top for the pudding to expand as it steams.
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  3. Grab a roll of grease-proof paper and cut out a square that’s slightly larger than your pudding mold. Then, cut out a square of tinfoil that’s about 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) larger than your grease-proof paper square. [3]
    • Your measurements don’t have to be exact. Just make sure your grease-proof paper is big enough to cover the top of your mold with some excess hanging off.
    • You can find grease-proof paper in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Set the grease-proof paper on top of the tinfoil, then fold both sheets in half to make a crease. Press down on the fold with your hand to really set it in place, then unfold the squares. [4]
    • The crease in the middle will expand as the pudding heats up.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Grab your tin foil and grease-proof paper, keeping the grease-proof square underneath the tinfoil square. Place them both on top of the mold with the tin foil facing upwards and press down the edges. [5]
    • Don’t worry if your tin foil isn’t sticking down just yet; you can secure it down in just a moment.
  6. Cut a length of twine that’s a little bit longer than the circumference of your mold (again, you can eyeball it here). Wrap the twine just underneath the lip of your mold, then tie it in a tight knot to keep your grease-proof paper and aluminum foil in place. [6]
    • The steam will push air and water upwards, which can push the covering right off your mold. That’s why using twine is so important!
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Cut another length of twine about as long as the first one, then thread one end through the length of twine on the mold. Thread the other end through the other side of the twine, then tie the 2 ends together at the top of the mold to make a little handle. [7]
    • It’s much easier to grab your pudding when it’s done if you have a convenient handle.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Traditional Steamer

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  1. Grab a pot that’s slightly larger than your steamer basket and fill it up with enough water to cover the bottom. Make sure the water doesn’t actually touch the bottom of your mold, or your pudding might get boiled instead of steamed! [8]
  2. Lower your steamer basket into the pot, then set the pot on the stove. Turn your stovetop to medium heat and allow the pot to heat up until it’s simmering, or small bubbles are rising to the surface of the water. [9]
    • Getting your water to boil could cause it to evaporate too quickly, but simmering it will keep it in the pot for longer.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Grab your pudding and slowly lower it into the pot, making sure the bottom doesn't touch the water at all. Put a lid on your pot and set a timer for 1 to 2 hours, or however long the recipe suggests for your particular pudding. [10]
    • Most recipes say to steam your pudding for 1.5 to 2 hours, but some puddings need as long as 5 or 6 hours.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Every 20 minutes or so, check on the water level in your pot. If you notice that it’s getting dry, pour a little bit more water in there so your pudding keeps steaming. If the pot dries out, it could scorch your pudding, so it’s good to keep an eye on it. [11]
    • If you want to go the extra mile, you could keep some warm water in a kettle to add to the pot. That way, it doesn’t have to spend time warming up when you pour it in.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Oven Technique

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  1. When it comes time to steam, low and slow is the name of the game. Keep your oven at this temperature to avoid burning the pudding or boiling your water. [12]
    • Depending on your oven, preheating could take between 5 and 10 minutes.
  2. Try to use a pan that has sides at least 5 inches (13 cm) tall. Gently place your mold in the center of the roasting pan to sit in as it steams. [13]
    • If you’re worried about your mold slipping, you can line your roasting pan with a kitchen towel first.
  3. Make sure there’s enough water to reach about halfway up the sides of the mold. If you want to jump start the process, boil the water first to get it hot. [14]
    • You can also use hot water from your tap.
  4. Set a time for 2 hours, and check on your pudding when it goes off. Check your pudding with a toothpick to see if the center is done. If not, put it back in the oven for 10 minutes at a time. [15]
    • The steam from the hot water will cook the pudding slowly as the oven keeps the whole thing warm.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Slow Cooker Option

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  1. Keep your slow cooker off for now as you situate your mold. Try to make sure it’s mostly centered so it cooks evenly.
    • If your slow cooker isn’t big enough to fit your mold, this method will be a little tricky. You can always split your pudding into smaller dishes until they fit, or you can try a larger slow cooker.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    You can use cool water from your tap. Make sure the water comes about halfway up the mold so your pudding gets steamed evenly.
    • Slow cookers heat up quickly, so you don’t need to boil your water first.
  3. The water will start to evaporate and the lid will trap the steam, leaving you with a perfectly cooked and moist pudding. Check the center of your pudding with a toothpick when you think it’s done to double check. [16]
    • Slow cookers take a little longer than ovens or stove tops since they have a smaller surface area.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Remove the Mold

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    When time is up, grab your pudding by the handle and slowly lift it up and out of the pot. Set it on a flat surface and cut the string to open up your pudding and check it out. [17]
    • The string might be a little warm, so use caution!
    • If you’re not sure your pudding is done, slide a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, you’re good to go. If there’s a bit of pudding stuck to the toothpick, it might need a bit more time.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Pudding can get a little sticky when it’s been steamed, especially if it was a wet mixture. Use a knife to gently unstick the edges of the pudding from the mold before you turn it out. [18]
    • Hopefully the butter you added earlier will be enough to slide the pudding right out of its mold.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam a Pudding
    Grab a large plate and place it on top of the pudding mold, then grab the edges of the plate. Quickly turn the pudding mold upside down, then slide the mold off the pudding so it stands up on its own. [19]
    • If the pudding is too hot to touch, let it cool for about 5 minutes before you turn it out.
  4. Traditionally, steamed pudding is served with a creamy sauce that’s poured on top of it. While your pudding is still warm, add a bit of your sauce and then slice it up to serve to your guests. [20]
    • You can save your pudding by covering it with plastic wrap or foil. Then, you can heat it up by steaming it again for 2 hours.
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      Tips

      • If your pudding is sticking to the inside of the mold, gently tap the top to make it fall out.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Filling the Mold

      • Pudding mold
      • Grease-proof paper
      • Aluminum foil
      • Twine

      Steaming Traditionally

      • Pot
      • Steamer basket

      Steaming in the Oven

      • Roasting pan

      Steaming in a Slow Cooker

      • Slow cooker

      Turning It Out

      • Plate
      • Knife

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/techniques/how-steam-pudding-video
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx1Knv0tKG8&feature=youtu.be&t=47
      3. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/techniques/how-steam-pudding-video
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx1Knv0tKG8&feature=youtu.be&t=69
      5. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/techniques/how-steam-pudding-video
      6. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmas_pudding_41498
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx1Knv0tKG8&feature=youtu.be&t=112
      8. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/plumpuddingTips.htm
      9. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/45853/steamed-cranberry-pudding/
      1. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/plumpuddingTips.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/videos/techniques/how-steam-pudding-video
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a6618/oven-steamed-figgy-pudding-2414/
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a6618/oven-steamed-figgy-pudding-2414/
      5. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18979/syrup-sponge-pudding/
      6. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18979/syrup-sponge-pudding/
      7. ↑ https://www.eatwell.co.nz/recipe/226/Slowcooker-steamed-fruit-pudding/
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx1Knv0tKG8&feature=youtu.be&t=173
      9. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/45853/steamed-cranberry-pudding/
      10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx1Knv0tKG8&feature=youtu.be&t=192
      11. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/45853/steamed-cranberry-pudding/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To steam a pudding in a traditional steamer, pour your ingredients into a greased mold. Cut a square of grease-proof paper and a square of aluminum foil that are both big enough to fit over the top of the mold. Fold both squares down the middle to make a pleat, then put them over the mold with the aluminum foil on top. Secure the cover in place with twine, and use a second piece of twine to make a handle so you can easily lift the mold out of the steamer. Put the pudding mold in a steamer basket inside a pot with about 2 inches of water in the bottom, then cover the pot and steam the pudding for about 2 hours. Check the water level every 20 minutes or so and top it off it if starts to get low. Read on to learn how to steam pudding in the oven!

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        Oct 14, 2021

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