Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe

Written by
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Elaine Lemm
Updated 05/20/19
Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe

  The Spruce
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yield: 6 Servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
219 Calories
12g Fat
19g Carbs
3g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 Servings
Amount per serving
Calories 219
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 7g 33%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 169mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 3g
Calcium 111mg 9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

No British Christmas would be the same without the traditional and favorite Christmas pudding. There are various sauces that work well with the pudding, including this delicious, the most traditional of all, Brandy Sauce. The Christmas Pudding works really well with a boozy, rich sauce which is a perfect balance for the pudding. Always use the same liquor in the sauce that you have in your pudding to get the best marriage of flavors.

You can, if you prefer, substitute Rum, for the Brandy, it is a matter of taste and what you have in your pudding. Classically, though, Brandy is the flavor. Whichever you choose, both are also delicious.

This Brandy sauce recipe is so easy to make and can also be made a day or two in advance and refrigerated then simply reheated when the pudding is ready. If you really like it with a kick, add an extra splash of liqueur right before serving—only for the adults, though.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces butter
  • 2 ounces plain flour
  • 1 pint milk
  • 2 ounce sugar (fine or caster)
  • 5 tablespoon Brandy or Cognac

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  2. In a nonstick saucepan over a medium heat, gently melt the butter.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Once melted, add the flour and stir quickly to create a thick, smooth paste. Cook for 1 minute taking care not to burn.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Using a hand whisk, slowly add the milk, stirring vigorously. Continue whisking until a thick smooth sauce is formed this will take 3 to 5 minutes. Take care not to have the heat too high or the base of the sauce may burn.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Once the sauce is formed, add the sugar and whisk a little more, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Lower the heat and gently cook for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Add the Brandy or Cognac, whisking into the smooth sauce.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  7. The sauce can then be cooled and kept covered in the fridge for a few days, so great for planning ahead.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  8. On Christmas Day, simply reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a tiny drop of Brandy or Cognac to liven up the flavor.

    Christmas Brandy Sauce Recipe
     The Spruce

  9. Once you have flamed your pudding, serve the sauce poured over the pudding.

Tips

  • Leftover sauce, just like the pudding reheats very well and a great treat on Boxing Day. Simply reheat the sauce in either a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave. Take care not to burn.
  • This sauce does not have to be kept just for the Christmas festivities. It is a good basic sweet, white sauce and works well with many flavorings, both alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
  • Do not serve to children. If you have children at the lunch offer them custard, ice cream, or make a plain white sauce.