Summer means Christmas puddings at Welbeck Bakehouse

It is July and the height of summer and so of course, at Welbeck Bakehouse, it’s time to think about Christmas.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The festive season always starts early for the team at Welbeck Bakehouse and this year will be no exception.

In the heart of the Nottinghamshire estate the bakers have begun their epic Christmas pudding production to ensure that the yuletide favourite will be ready to take pride of place on the festive table later this year.

The luxury Christmas puddings are produced over a long time.

Welbeck Bakehouse has started its Christmas pudding productionWelbeck Bakehouse has started its Christmas pudding production
Welbeck Bakehouse has started its Christmas pudding production

They’re matured for longer and hand mixed once a week for months by the bakers, based on the historic country estate, near Worksop.

Traditional and lightly spiced, the puddings are packed with brandy-soaked fruit and made with handcrafted ale brewed by one of the Bakehouse’s closest neighbours, Welbeck Abbey Brewery, just a short walk across the yard.

Mark Garry, general manager at the Bakehouse, said: “The puddings are mixed early in the year to allow the flavours time to mature properly.

“It’s a two-stage process.

"We soak the fruit in copious amounts of alcohol for around seven days.

"Then, using our secret blend of spices, we mix and bake them long and slow – up to five hours.

"They then get around four months to mature.”

This year that award-winning recipe will be followed to the letter and the puddings, along with the Bakehouse’s traditional mince pies, will be available later this year in estate’s own Welbeck Farm Shop.

Related topics: