’Twas the night before Christmas Cake

A fruity traditional-style pudding with a tropical upside-down twist.

Makes 2 puddings (each serves 8) • Ready in 7 hrs, plus resting 500g mixed dried fruits 250g dried figs, chopped 75g dried cranberries 1 apple, grated Finely grated zest of 1 orange 100g carrots, grated 2tbsp black treacle 4tbsp maple syrup 125ml Grand Marnier 125ml brandy 125g self-raising flour 1tsp each ground mixed spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger 60g blanched almonds, chopped 60g ground almonds 200g vegetable suet 175g fresh white breadcrumbs 125g dark muscovado sugar 4tbsp golden syrup 400g can pineapple mini rings, drained 4 eggs Edible gold glitter You will need: 2 x 1ltr pudding basins, greased and lined 1

Put the mixed fruits, figs, cranberries, apple, orange zest, carrots and black treacle in a large bowl with 2tbsp of the maple syrup. Add the Grand Marnier and brandy and stir well to mix.

2 In a separate bowl, sift the flour and spices together. Add the chopped almonds, ground almonds, suet, breadcrumbs and sugar. 3 Put 2tbsp golden syrup into the base of each pudding basin and arrange five pineapple rings on the top.

4 Stir the eggs into the fruit mixture, then add the dry ingredients and stir. Divide the mixture between the two basins. Cover each basin with a double thickness of greaseproof paper with a pleat in it and tie around the rims with string. Place each basin in a pan on an upturned saucer and pour enough boiling water to come halfway up each basin. Cover and steam for 5 hrs, topping up with water when necessary.

5 Remove the puddings from the pans and leave to cool. Recover the puddings with fresh greaseproof paper and refrigerate for up to 3 months.

6 To serve, steam for 2 hrs, then turn out and sprinkle the pineapple rings with edible gold glitter. Drizzle with the remaining maple syrup and serve.

Per serving: 400 cals,17g fat,

7g sat fat, 49g carbs

TIP Biona mini pineapple rings are available from Ocado, but you can use standard pineapple rings instead and cut them in half or quarters