Stir-up Sunday falls on 20 November 2022 – this lovely tradition dictates that this is THE day to make your Christmas pudding. While it may be a little early to put your tree up and start listening to Mariah Carey on repeat, it’s the perfect time to get cracking on your homemade Christmas pud.
Harking back to Victorian times, Stir-up Sunday always falls on the last Sunday before Advent. The day takes its name from the bible passage “Stir up; we beseech thee, O Lord”, which reminded churchgoers to stir up their plum pudding mixture, giving the flavours time to mature before Christmas Day. These days, Stir-up Sunday is a great opportunity to get ahead of the Christmas baking game. Whip up a batch of mincemeat and pop into sterilised jars, ready to turn into mince pies come December. Or, if Christmas cake is more your bag, you can bake it well in advance, so you’ve got plenty of time to feed it with thimbles of festive booze.
If you’re turning homemade mincemeat into a Christmas pudding, follow our favourite recipes below. Once you’ve steamed the pud, allow it to cool completely, then remove the greaseproof paper and tin foil, replacing them with a fresh set, and seal tightly with string once again (you need it to be airtight, so no moisture can get in and ruin your beautiful pudding). Then store the pudding in a cool, dark place until the big day, then simply steam again to reheat – about an hour should do it, or until piping hot throughout.
So, get stirring on Sunday 20 November, so there’s one less job to think about this festive season!
Head to our Christmas hub for even more festive cooking and baking inspiration
The best Christmas pudding recipes
Based on Jamie’s Nan’s recipe, this impressive-looking pud will give you a much lighter result than the traditional version. With lots of lovely dried fruit, warming ginger and a hit of clementine zest, it’s a thing of beauty. Plus, there’s the option of chucking everything in a food processor, if you don’t fancy all that chopping. Give it a go!
Cater for everyone at Christmas with this beautiful gluten-free pud. Whether you’re coeliac or just looking to cut down on gluten, it’s sure to go down a treat. And with just 30 minutes of prep time, it couldn’t be easier to rustle up. If you can’t find gluten-free suet in your local shop, it’s readily available online.
How to use up Christmas pudding leftovers
Already thinking beyond Stir-up Sunday? Bookmark our easy ideas to use up leftover Christmas pudding…
Make the most of leftover Christmas pud with these easy ice cream sundaes – they’re a doddle to make and you’ll need just 7 ingredients. If you’re serving kids, ditch the wine and loosen the cranberry sauce with a splash of orange juice or water. And feel free to get creative – if you don’t have much Christmas pudding leftover, crumble in a leftover mince pie, instead.
Transform leftover Christmas pudding and cake into these fruity festive scones. They look super-impressive, but are actually really easy to make. With warming spices, treacle and orange zest, these are scones, but not as you know them! Serve with cranberry sauce or stewed fruit and a dollop of crème fraîche. What a joy.
If you’re hosting a party this festive season, impress your guests with these cheeky little canapés. Plus, they only take 10 minutes to make – quickest party pud ever? With hot Christmas pudding, warm custard and freshly whipped cream, they’re a proper festive treat. Make sure you’ve got 30 little spoons to hand, or simply halve the recipe if you’re feeding less people.
For more Christmas recipes and festive ideas, visit Jamie’s Christmas hub.
