The Only Stir Up Sunday Guide You’ll Ever Need

Stir up Sunday is the last Sunday before advent in the Anglican Church and takes its name from the Book of Common Prayer which begins “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people”. This is the traditional day to make, or ‘stir up’ the Christmas Puddings (also known as figgy pudding or plum pudding). Traditionally families would attend church and then on their return would make the Christmas Pudding. It is a real family event and everyone has a go at stirring and making a wish as they mix. There is even tradition in the way that the pudding is stirred as it should be mixed clockwise or from East to West to commemorate the journey made by the Wise Men as they pilgrimaged to bring gifts to Jesus.

Stir Up Sunday Dates

24th November 2024

23rd November 2025

22nd November 2026

27th November 2027

26th November 2028

Don’t worry if you miss Stir Up Sunday, you can still make a delicious Christmas Pudding, it just won’t have the depth of flavour that you get from a more mature pudding. If you’re reading this after Christmas has passed, why not get ahead and make a Christmas Pudding ready for next year? As long as you keep it somewhere cool and dark and feed it on a weekly basis, it will be fantastic next year!

Here I share my family recipe for Christmas Pudding. This recipe has been handed down to the women on my father’s side of the family and whoever holds the recipe, holds the honour and responsibility of making the puddings for the whole family. Now it has been passed to me I am thrilled to be able to teach my children this longstanding family Christmas tradition. It is still very much a family event and we all get together in the kitchen listening to Christmas music and taking turns to stir and make a wish. Once the puddings are steaming, we usually watch a Christmas film to add to the festive joy! Here is my family recipe for Christmas Pudding, to make things easier, I’ve put together an Amazon shopping list of my recommended products for this recipe.

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Ingredients

• 50g self raising flour
• 75g breadcrumbs
• 150g dried mixed fruit
• 60g Suet
• 50g sugar (I like to use dark brown sugar)
• 25g ground almonds
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 55ml milk

Method

1. Mix the sugar, suet and flour together.
2. Fold in the ground almonds, breadcrumbs and fruit.
3. Fold in the beaten egg and milk.
4. Take turns to stir clockwise whilst making a wish.
5. Place the mixture in a pudding basin.
6. Cover with a folded layer of greasproof paper then a folded layer of foil held in place with string.
7. Steam for 6 hours.
8. Leave to cool.
9. Once cool make sure to stab with a cocktail stick and ‘feed’ with brandy every few days in the run up to christmas. (To feed with brandy, gently pour a tablespoon or two of brandy over the top then reseal).
10. Store covered in an airtight box.

How to serve

On Christmas Day, you will need to reheat the pudding by steaming or boiling for around 2 hours prior to serving. Once thoroughly heated through, turn it out onto a plate. For a real showstopping presentation, pour gently warmed brandy over the top and set it alight. Serve with cream, brandy butter or brandy sauce.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, please let me know what you think of it if you give it a go.

Why not have a look at this easy mince pie recipe from Boo, Roo and Tiger Too to add to your Christmas baking traditions.