Indulge in Warmth: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Blood Orange and Ginger Steamed Pudding

Discover the unparalleled comfort of homemade steamed pudding, made effortlessly in your slow cooker. This exquisite blood orange and ginger dessert is a winter essential, offering warmth and vibrant flavor. Post sponsored by Crock-Pot.

Steamed puddings, for many, conjure up rather unappealing memories of overcooked school dinners or bland, tinned versions. However, I’m here to wholeheartedly tell you that this reputation is entirely undeserved when it comes to homemade creations. A truly well-made steamed pudding is a revelation: light, incredibly moist, and utterly bursting with flavor. In fact, I’ve entirely replaced the traditional Christmas pudding with a chocolate steamed pudding at our festive celebrations, and it’s always devoured without a single crumb left behind. This blood orange and ginger variation brings a delightful twist to a classic comfort food, making it an irresistible choice for colder months.

One of the best-kept secrets to achieving a perfect steamed pudding lies in utilizing a slow cooker, like a Crock-Pot. This method transforms what might seem like a daunting task into an incredibly simple, hands-off process. While it’s true that slow cooker steaming might take a little longer than using a hob, the benefits far outweigh the extended cooking time. You can completely forget about the common worries of stovetop steaming – no more fretting over water boiling dry, or the pot bubbling over and making a mess. Your slow cooker provides a gentle, consistent heat that steams the pudding to perfection without any intervention.

For this particular recipe, I used the Crock-Pot 4.7L Digital Countdown Slow Cooker, which proved to be a fantastic fit for my 1-liter pudding basin. It’s absolutely crucial to double-check that your pudding basin (when placed on an upturned saucer for proper water circulation) fits comfortably inside your slow cooker before you even begin mixing ingredients. This simple check will save you any potential frustration down the line. The beauty of this method is the peace of mind it offers; once set, the slow cooker diligently works its magic, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while your delicious dessert slowly cooks.

The Magic of Blood Oranges and Zesty Ginger

While this steamed pudding recipe can certainly be adapted using regular oranges, ensuring you select a thin-skinned variety for the candied slices, there’s something truly special about incorporating the vibrant blood orange. Their season, though sadly short, offers a unique opportunity to infuse your baking with an unparalleled depth of flavor and a stunning visual appeal. Blood oranges boast a less acidic, subtly sweeter taste with delightful berry-like undertones, often compared to raspberries. This distinctive profile elevates the pudding from a simple citrus dessert to an extraordinary culinary experience. Furthermore, the gorgeous, natural crimson hue they impart makes the pudding look incredibly beautiful and impressive, perfect for any special occasion or a cozy family treat.

Complementing the exquisite blood orange is the warming spice of ginger. This classic pairing is a match made in heaven, with ginger’s pungent warmth balancing the citrusy sweetness of the orange. We use ground ginger for an even distribution of flavor throughout the pudding batter, providing a gentle hum of spice in every bite. Additionally, finely chopped stem ginger, preserved in syrup, is incorporated to offer delightful pockets of intense, chewy ginger goodness. These little bursts of flavor and texture add another layer of complexity that makes each spoonful truly memorable. The combination creates a comforting and sophisticated dessert that is both familiar and exciting.

Serving and Storage Tips

The only slight drawback to any steamed pudding, including this blood orange and ginger delight, is that it truly is at its absolute best when eaten immediately after cooking, while still warm and wonderfully fresh. While any leftovers are certainly still delicious when gently microwaved, they may not retain quite the same light, moist texture as when first served. However, if you’re not ready to serve it right away, once it’s cooked, you can leave it safely in the slow cooker. Ensure it’s still tightly wrapped in its baking parchment and foil, and immersed in the hot water. Set your slow cooker to its ‘keep warm’ setting, and it can comfortably hold for an hour or so, ready to be unveiled when dessert time arrives. This flexibility makes it an ideal dessert for entertaining, as you can prepare it in advance and keep it perfectly warm until needed.

When it comes to serving, a warm steamed pudding cries out for classic accompaniments. A generous dollop of creamy custard is a traditional favorite, its smooth richness perfectly complementing the vibrant fruit and spice. Alternatively, a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream provides a lovely contrast in temperature and texture, slowly melting into the warm pudding. For a lighter touch, a spoonful of crème fraîche or plain Greek yogurt can offer a pleasant tang that cuts through the sweetness. Don’t forget the beautiful candied blood orange slices and their luscious syrup, which serve not only as a stunning garnish but also add an extra burst of citrusy sweetness. These thoughtful additions elevate the entire dessert experience, making it a truly satisfying conclusion to any meal.

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Slow Cooker Blood Orange And Ginger Steamed Pudding

Servings 6 people

Author Domestic Gothess

Ingredients

Pudding:

• 150 g (½ cup + 2 Tbsp) softened butter
• 150 g (½ + ⅓ cup) light brown soft sugar
• finely grated zest of 2 blood oranges
• 3 large eggs
• 150 g (1 + ¼ cups) self-raising flour
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• pinch salt
• 3 balls stem ginger finely chopped (about 3 Tbsp chopped candied ginger)

Candied Blood Oranges And Syrup:

• juice of 3 blood oranges
• 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 blood orange thinly sliced

Instructions

Steamed Pudding:

• Generously grease a 1 to 1.2 litre pudding basin to prevent sticking and place a small disc of baking parchment neatly in the bottom. Before you begin mixing, ensure your kettle is on and water is boiling.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the softened butter, light brown soft sugar, and the finely grated zest of two blood oranges until the mixture is beautifully pale and fluffy. Then, gradually whisk in the eggs, one at a time, adding a spoonful of the self-raising flour with each egg to prevent curdling.
• Once all the eggs are thoroughly combined, sift in the remaining self-raising flour, the ground ginger, and a pinch of salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Finally, add the finely chopped stem ginger and mix it in evenly throughout the batter.
• Transfer the prepared batter into the greased pudding basin, leveling the top gently with a spatula. It is important to ensure there is a gap of at least one inch (2.5 cm) between the surface of the batter and the very top of the basin; this allows ample room for the pudding to expand as it cooks.
• Cover the top of the basin securely. First, use a circle of baking parchment with a central pleat (this also allows for expansion), followed by another circle of aluminum foil, also pleated. Tie both securely in place around the rim of the basin with kitchen string. Create a loop in the string to form a convenient carrying handle, which will help when lifting the hot basin.
• Carefully place an upturned heatproof saucer or a trivet at the bottom of your slow cooker pot. This elevates the pudding basin slightly, ensuring even steaming. Gently place the prepared pudding basin on top of the saucer. Pour enough freshly boiled hot water into the slow cooker to come approximately two-thirds of the way up the sides of the pudding bowl.
• Place the lid securely on your slow cooker. Cook the pudding on the HIGH setting for approximately four hours. To check for doneness, the pudding should feel firm to the touch, and a skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. If it still appears undercooked, replace the baking parchment, foil, and string, and continue cooking for an additional hour, checking again.
• Once perfectly cooked, carefully remove the pudding basin from the slow cooker using the string handle. Untie the string and remove the parchment and foil. Place a serving platter upside down on top of the basin, then confidently flip the entire assembly over. Carefully lift off the basin. Garnish generously with the candied orange slices and a drizzle of their syrup, then serve this delightful blood orange and ginger steamed pudding straight away with your preferred accompaniment of custard or ice cream.

Candied Blood Oranges And Syrup:

• While the steamed pudding is happily cooking in your slow cooker, prepare the beautiful candied orange slices and their accompanying syrup. Start by placing the freshly squeezed blood orange juice in a measuring jug, then add enough water to reach the 250ml mark.
• Pour the juice mixture into a small saucepan along with the granulated sugar. Cook this over a gentle, low heat, stirring regularly. Continue stirring until all the granulated sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture is clear.
• Add the thinly sliced blood orange rounds to the saucepan. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer, ensuring it doesn’t boil vigorously. Continue to cook for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the orange slices become wonderfully soft and their peel turns slightly translucent, absorbing the sweet syrup. Stir them occasionally during this time to ensure they are evenly coated and candied.
• Once the oranges are perfectly candied, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool completely. These candied blood orange slices, along with their syrup, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, making them an excellent make-ahead garnish.

As you can clearly see, a Crock-Pot or any slow cooker is far more versatile than just a tool for hearty stews and savory dishes! It’s an incredibly adaptable appliance that truly deserves a permanent spot on your kitchen counter, ready to be used year-round for a great many recipes, including sophisticated desserts. Its ability to cook gently and consistently opens up a world of culinary possibilities, from slow-cooked meats to delicate cakes and, of course, perfect steamed puddings. For another delightful slow cooker dessert idea, I highly recommend trying my slow cooker chocolate caramel ginger cheesecake – another testament to the amazing things this appliance can achieve.

I was commissioned to develop and create this slow cooker blood orange and ginger steamed pudding recipe by Crock-Pot, and was kindly sent one of their slow cookers for the purpose of this post. All opinions, creative input, and enthusiastic praise for this pudding are entirely my own. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make it possible for me to pursue my passion – which mostly involves happily playing with food and, inevitably, making a glorious mess of my kitchen.