Steamed Chocolate Pudding In Advance

Our answer

Nigella's Chocolate Pudding For Christmas Pudding Haters With Hot Chocolate Sauce (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) is a steamed chocolate sponge that is a wonderful alternative to a traditional Christmas Pudding. The sponge is relatively easy to make as the batter can be whizzed in a food processor in a few seconds and the pudding needs very little attention as it gently steams. The pudding is at its very best when freshly cooked as the sponge is light and moist. For this reason we prefer not to make the sponge in advance, as it can become denser as it cools. The sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge, or up to 3 months ahead and frozen.

If you have to make the sponge ahead then we suggest that once it has been steamed it is uncovered and left to cool completely in the basin. When the sponge is cold, wrap the basin tightly in a double layer of clingfilm (plastic wrap) and store in a cool place, or the fridge if you have a warm and humid environment, for up to 5 days. If you need to freeze the sponge then wrap the basin with an extra layer of foil over the clingfilm and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight at cool room temperature. We would suggest reheating the sponge in slices in a microwave, following the manufacturer's instructions. Do not reheat the sponge more than once.