As stir-up Sunday approaches, Book Guild is happy to provide our very own delicious Christmas pudding recipe for the organised cooks amongst us:

Laura’s Christmas Pudding Recipe

350 g sultanas

350g raisins or currants

150g dried figs (finely chopped)

125g candied peel (finely chopped)

100g apricots (finely chopped)

75 g dark glace cherries (halved)

Brandy and a.n.other booze – I use marsala or vin santo

Soak fruit in booze whilst you do the other stuff – it won’t cover it – but that’s OK, just stir it around

2 grated apples (quinces if you can get them)

Juice and grated zest of 2 oranges

Juice and grated zest of 2 lemons

6 free range eggs beaten

350g dark muscavado sugar

175g self raising flour

250g suet

250g soft breadcrumbs

As much mixed spice as you like – about 2tsp

MIX ALL TOGETHER FOR A LONG TIME WHILST MAKING WISH – YOU ARE ALLOWED ONE FOR YOURSELF AND ONE FOR MANKIND IN GENERAL – LIKE WORLD PEACE OR THE TOTAL BAN OF DOUBLE BUGGIES IN THE WESTERN WORLD

Fill mixing bowls and make watertight (this will make 2 x 1.5 litre puddings or 4 smaller ones).  Steam for 3 ½ hours making sure not to boil dry. Store somewhere dark and re-heat for another 3 ½ hours when you want to eat it, after flaming it to cheers in darkened room with lashings of cold cream.  HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Laura Lockington is Head of Publicity and author of Cupboard Love: A Food Romance, priced £9.99