Description
This Show-Stopping Christmas Ice Cream Pudding is a festive and delightful dessert combining traditional Christmas pudding flavors with creamy vanilla ice cream. Infused with soaked dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices, this no-bake frozen treat is perfect for holiday celebrations. With just 10 minutes of prep and an overnight freeze, it’s an impressive, easy-to-make dessert that will wow your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Nut Mixture
- 125 g blanched almonds, finely chopped
- 125 g maraschino or glacé cherries
- ⅓ cup mixed peel, chopped
- 1 cup dried fruit (such as sultanas)
- ½ cup rum (or sherry or brandy; for non-alcoholic, substitute 1 tbsp vanilla essence + ¼ cup water)
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
Ice Cream and Toppings
- 1 ½ L vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
- Chocolate sauce or melted chocolate (optional)
- Crushed nuts (for garnish)
- Maraschino or glacé cherries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Fruit Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped almonds, maraschino cherries, mixed peel, dried fruit, rum, mixed spice, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the fruits and nuts with the spices and rum.
- Soak and Chill: Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to soak for 2-3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir once or twice during this period to ensure even soaking.
- Line Pudding Basin: Line an 8-cup pudding basin or a large bowl with aluminium foil, pressing out any wrinkles so it fits snugly.
- Mix Ice Cream and Fruit: Add the slightly softened vanilla ice cream to the soaked fruit mixture. Mix well until the fruit is evenly distributed throughout the ice cream.
- Assemble and Freeze: Spoon the ice cream and fruit mixture into the lined pudding basin or bowl. Cover it tightly with foil or a lid and freeze for 6-8 hours until firm. For best results, freeze overnight.
- Serve: When ready to serve, turn the pudding out onto a plate, drizzle with chocolate sauce or melted chocolate if desired, and garnish with crushed nuts and extra cherries for a festive touch.
Notes
- This dessert requires minimal hands-on prep but needs several hours to set, so plan ahead.
- Feel free to customize the fruit and nuts to your taste or use your favorite Christmas pudding ingredients.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute rum with vanilla essence and water as suggested.
- The ice cream should be slightly softened for easy mixing but not melted.
- Ensure the pudding is well covered during freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 112 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg
