Speedy Christmas pudding

As good as the real deal, this glorious pudding takes minutes to make.

SERVES 6 PREP 15min COOK about 10min

• 100g butter, softened, plus extra to grease

• 100g ready-made cranberry sauce

• 2tbsp golden syrup

• 100g dark brown soft sugar

• 2 medium eggs, beaten

• 100g plain flour

• 1tbsp mixed spice, heaped

• 300g mixed dried fruit

• 1 medium apple, peeled and grated

1 Grease a 1.2 litre pudding basin. In a small bowl, stir together the cranberry sauce and golden syrup. Spoon ⅔ of the mixture into base of prepared basin, reserving the remaining mixture.

2 In a separate bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, mixed spice, dried fruit and grated apple until well combined. Spoon into the prepared basin and press a large piece of baking parchment on to the pudding to cover the surface.

3 Microwave on medium power for 9min until firm to the touch. Leave to stand for 10min before turning out on to a plate. Spoon over reserved cranberry mixture and serve with cream or brandy butter, if you like.

PER SERVING CALS 451; FAT 17G; SAT FAT 9G; CARBS 76G

DON’T HAVE A MICROWAVE? Make to the end of step 2 but don’t cover with parchment. Instead, put a large square of foil on top of a piece of baking parchment of the same size. Fold a pleat in the middle of both, cover basin (foil-side up) and secure with string. Put an upturned heatproof saucer into a deep pan and balance the pudding on top. Fill pan with water so it comes halfway up the sides of the basin. Bring to boil, then lower to a gentle simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 1½hr, topping up the water as necessary.