Name: Microwave Christmas pudding recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: Serves: 4
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 40g (1½ oz) gluten-free plain flour; 30g (10z) ground hazelnuts; 60g (2oz) dark brown sugar; 20g (¾ oz) egg replacement powder; ¼ tsp each ground mixed spice and cinnamon; 40g (1½ oz) dairy-free spread; 175g (6oz) mixed dried fruit; 30g (1oz) apple, peeled, cored and chopped, optional; ½ lemon, finely grated rind and 2tbsp juice; 1 tsp golden syrup; 1 tsp gravy browning (suitable for vegans); 2 tbsp brandy; 6 tbsp soya milk; Icing sugar, for dusting

By Jessica Ransom

last updated 15 December 2023

in Recipes

This microwave Christmas pudding is under 400 calories per portion and is ready in 10 minutes.

Perfect for if you forgot to make your Christmas pudding ahead, this microwave recipe is based on an 800 W machine. If your machine is more or less powerful the timings will need to be adjusted. Serve with brandy butter, double cream, custard or even ice cream if you like.

Ingredients

40g (1½ oz) gluten-free plain flour
30g (10z) ground hazelnuts
60g (2oz) dark brown sugar
20g (¾ oz) egg replacement powder
¼ tsp each ground mixed spice and cinnamon
40g (1½ oz) dairy-free spread
175g (6oz) mixed dried fruit
30g (1oz) apple, peeled, cored and chopped, optional
½ lemon, finely grated rind and 2tbsp juice
1 tsp golden syrup
1 tsp gravy browning (suitable for vegans)
2 tbsp brandy
6 tbsp soya milk
Icing sugar, for dusting

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Method

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, hazelnuts, sugar, egg replacement powder, spices, dairy-free spread, mixed dried fruit, apple, lemon zest and juice, golden syrup, gravy browning, brandy and soya milk. Spoon into a ¾ litre pudding basin that has been greased and liked with a disc of baking paper at the bottom.
Cover loosely with a piece of greaseproof paper.
Cook on full power in an 800 W microwave for 2½ mins. Leave to stand for 2½ mins, then cook for a further 2½ mins.
Remove the paper. The pudding won't look fully cooked in the middle, so leave it to stand for 5 mins before turning it out. Dust with icing sugar then slice and serve hot.

Top tips for making our microwave Christmas pudding

This recipe isn’t suitable for freezing but you can swap the ground hazelnuts for ground almonds if you prefer. The pudding is gluten-free, dairy free and egg free so serve with a plant-based ice cream or custard for your vegan friends and family.

Can I microwave a Christmas pudding instead of steaming?

Yes, this recipe is designed to be cooked fully in the microwave. If you have steamed a traditional Christmas pudding, you can reheat it in the microwave. Just check your pudding basin is microwave safe first and make sure to remove the foil covering.

How long does Christmas pudding go in the microwave for?

Our recipe has 5 minutes of cooking time. If you are reheating an already cooked pudding it may not need as long. However, if you have a lower powered microwave you may need an additional minute or two.

Why can't you put a coin in this Christmas pudding?

You must never put metals inside a microwave. Rather than absorbing the microwaves, metals can reflect them causing sparks and fires that can damage the microwave, so skip the coin in the Christmas pud.

Looking for a new microwave? Read our Sage Combi Wave 3 in 1 review which is a microwave, air fryer and oven.

For more sweet festive inspiration, try making this figgy pudding or our plum pudding. We also have another indulgent vegan Christmas pudding recipe you might like.

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.