I like to use chopped dried apricots and/or craisins in the fruit mix — they provide a terrific tang. Great served with brandy sauce or custard.
Ingredients
| 225 g | Butter |
| 1 ½ cups | Milk |
| 3 cups | Breadcrumbs, soft |
| ¾ cup | Dark cane sugar |
| 1 ½ cups | High grade flour |
| 1 pinch | Salt |
| 750 g | Dried fruit |
| 1 Tbsp | Treacle (Main) |
| 1 tsp | Mixed spice |
| 1 tsp | Vanilla essence |
| 2 Tbsp | Brandy (Main) |
| 1 tsp | Baking soda, dissolved in a little warm milk |
Directions
- Place the chopped butter in a large saucepan. Add the milk and simmer, until the butter melts. Pour onto the breadcrumbs and sugar in a bowl. Mix well. Cool.
- Sift in the flour and salt and add all the other ingredients. Spoon into a greased 5-cup pudding basin. Cover the top tightly with foil and tie to secure or cover with a fitting lid. Place the bowl in a steamer. Cover and steam over boiling water for three hours.
- Wrap in foil when cool, then refrigerate. Reheat in a steamer for about 45 minutes or in the microwave for about 5 minutes.