English plum pudding

16 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
cupMilk
1cupMolasses
2teaspoonsBaking soda
cupGround suet
½cupFirmly pack dark brown sugar
2Eggs; well beaten
4cupsSifted all-purpose flour
½teaspoonGround cloves
½teaspoonGround cinnamon
½teaspoonSalt
½cupChopped blanced almonds
2cupsRaisins or dried currants
½poundsFigs; stemmed and finely chopped
½poundsPitted dates; finely chopped
½cupBrandy
cupFirmly packed light brown sugar
½cupSoft butter
cupHeavy cream
2tablespoonsBrandy

Directions

HARD SAUCE

In a large bowl, mix milk, molasses and baking soda. Stir in suet, brown sugar and eggs. Blen in flour, spices and salt. Fold in almonds, raisins, figs, dates and brandy.

Spoon mixture into 2 greased and floured heatproof bowls, 7 inches across and 4 inches deep. Cover top with a double thickness of waxed paper, tied with a string.

English plum puddings are usually steamed, but for the sake of convenience these will be oven-steamed. Stand bowl in pans with water coming halfway up the sides and bake in preheated 300 degree oven for 2½ hours. Cool to lukewarm, remove waxed paper and remove puddings from bowls. Wrap and store in cool, dry place until ready to serve.

Unwrap puddings and return to bowls. Cover tops with foil and reheat in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes. turn out onto serving platter and cut a hole 1 inch wide and 1 inch deep in top of pudding. Surround mold with cooked, dried, mixed fruit. Fill hole with warmed brandy and spoon some over the entrie pudding. Set aflame. When flames die, cut pudding into serving pieces and top with hard sauce.

HARD SAUCE: Cream brown sugar with butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in cream and brandy. Chill.

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