As the festive season approaches, the Royal Family has offered a rare glimpse into their Christmas kitchen, sharing the recipe for a cherished royal tradition. On Stir-up Sunday, the traditional day for making Christmas puddings, royal chefs have revealed the exact formula used for Queen Elizabeth II's favourite dessert.
A Royal Festive Feast
The Royal Family's Christmas Day is a grand affair, steeped in tradition. According to royal chef Darren Grady, the day begins with a hearty cooked breakfast before the family attends church together. Upon returning home, they sit down to a classic roast turkey feast with all the trimmings.
This substantial meal is followed by the star of the show: Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. If that wasn't enough indulgence, the royals later enjoy an afternoon tea, which features a Yule log, Christmas cake, and a selection of chocolate pastries.
The Queen's Favourite Christmas Pudding Recipe
In a special treat for home cooks, the Royal Family's Instagram page shared the detailed recipe used by the palace kitchens. This specific recipe is noted as having been a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The post, which coincided with Stir-up Sunday, expressed the hope that people would enjoy making it in their own homes.
The full list of ingredients to make two 1kg puddings is as follows:
- 250g raisins
- 250g currants
- 185g sultanas
- 150g mixed peel
- 250g suet or vegetarian suet
- 250g breadcrumbs
- 90g flour
- 12g mixed spice
- 2 whole eggs
- 180g demerara sugar
- 275ml beer
- 40ml dark rum
- 40ml brandy
For those who prefer not to use alcohol, the recipe suggests replacing it with orange juice or cold tea. On Christmas Day, the instructions advise warming the pudding in a bain-marie for three to four hours. It should then be turned out onto a plate, decorated or flambéed, and served with brandy sauce and cream.
Why the Royals Skip the Lucky Coin
Many British families uphold the tradition of hiding a silver coin, originally a sixpence, inside the Christmas pudding. The person who finds it is said to receive good luck and prosperity in the coming year. This custom harks back to the Twelfth Night Cake, where a dried pea or bean would designate a 'king' or 'queen' for the evening.
However, Chef Darren Grady revealed that this is one tradition the Royal Family does not follow. The practice was abandoned following a frightening incident in 1982 when the Queen Mother choked on a fish bone and had to be rushed to hospital.
"No, we never did that! Ever since the Queen Mother choked on a fish bone that time... we were too nervous to do that," Darren explained. This cautionary tale from the royal kitchens highlights a small but significant difference between the palace's festive preparations and those in households across the United Kingdom.
