Christmas Cake And Puddings

[cakebaker]

This year I left making my christmas cakes and puddings till the last minute and was very stressful. Can I make them at the beginning of 2016 and will they keep

[-SharonA-]

What!!!!!!!! I am no expert but unless frozen, they won't keep. September is the earliest I would suggest for next year.

By the way, frozen cakes are not nice.

[Buenchico]

Nigella's website suggests freezing a Christmas pud if you want keep it for longer than 6 weeks:
http://www.nigella.com/kitchen-queries/view/Keeping-Christmas-Pudding./3755

However they can be kept (unfrozen) for far longer really ;-)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35159800

[paddywak]

Yes,my old mum always made her cakes and puddings year in advance.She then wrapped them up in grease proof paper and packed them in air tight tins,only opening them every now and then to give them a drink of rum or brandy, By christmas they would be rich,dark,moist and very tasty.

[-SharonA-]

Well I stand corrected.

[paddywak]

I forgot to add that they were stored on the cold slab we had in the pantry of the old pit houses.

[woofgang]

Rich fruit wedding cakes were traditionally made with a tier to be kept for the christening of the first child. The icing and marzipan would be stripped off either before storing or when the cake was used. Provided the cake is fed (puddings don’t need to be) it will easily keep a year kept in a cool dark place. The big thing is to be very careful that you are scrupulous about cleanliness when you store and that you seal the container to keep insects out.

[woofgang]

here’s what the Delia discussion group says
http://www.deliaonline.com/Community/forum.html?forum_action=5&forum_forumid=13&forum_threadid=12094

The trouble is, in these litigious times, no expert is going to say oh yes it will keep a year in a cool dry place in case they get sued.

[wired]

Looking to do something similar, I read an article last night by Nigella who said the pudding should keep for a year or more but it can easily be frozen.