As mentioned in my article Prepping for the Holidays — McVitie’s Madness, we’re heading into a time of year that can be downright frantic. Avoid the rush by a bit of advance prep-work. You can also resort to something store-bought versus homemade when it comes to such traditional treats as holiday cakes and puddings.

From Spotted Dick to Toffee Pudding and fruit cakes, ’tis the season for a bit of extra indulgence. But you’re working a job, driving the kids to dance class and sports practice, shopping for those once-a-year gifts for distant relatives, or trying to get a little “me time” when you can. Pre-made British-style cakes and puddings can serve several purposes:

• Save you time that can be used on other events
• Make fairly easy gifts for folks on your list that you have no idea what to get or for the hostess of the many parties you’ll be attending
• Bring a taste of British cuisine and tradition to your table

I’m a glutton for Aunty’s Chocolate Fudge Steamed Pudding and have been pleased to receive some as a gift as well as ordering more once hubby and I had gobbled it all up, so I know that such things are usually quite welcome. Just be sure the giftee is not allergic to things like wheat gluten or soy or — horrors! — chocolate!

Here are some great options:

• Heinz Treacle Sponge Pudding — a canned pudding containing treacle (uncrystallized syrup produced when refining sugar) sauce, water, wheat flour, sugar, golden syrup, vegetable oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, breadcrumbs, raising agents, milk proteins, salt, dried whey — can be heated in the microwave.
• Auntys Sticky Toffee Pudding — a traditional steamed sponge with dates smothered in a delicious toffee sauce.
• Auntys Golden Syrup Pudding — a traditionally steamed moist sponge smothered in a delicious golden syrup sauce.
• Bronte Cherry Walnut Fruit Cake — a rich cake with cherries and walnuts.
• Bronte Dark Genoa Cake — a rich, dark fruit cake containing sultanas and cherries.
• Bronte Stem Ginger Fruit Cake — a rich cake containing sultanas, stem ginger and citrus peel.

As the holidays draw nearer, even more options will become available, so be on the lookout!

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