Last Minute Christmas Pudding

Such a delicious dessert for the Holiday Season - I love the steamed pudding, just like my Mom used to make!!

• Ready In: 3 hrs
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 2  tablespoons molasses
• 1⁄3 cup flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ginger
• 1⁄4 teaspoon clove
• 3  cups apples, peeled, chopped and firmly packed
• 1  cup raisins, seedless
• 1  cup dates, choped
• 1⁄2 cup currants
• 1⁄2 cup  candied peel, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup raisins, seeded
• 2  cups  soft breadcrumbs
• 1⁄4 cup sherry wine

Directions

1. Pour sherry over fruit; set aside.
2. Cream shortening, sugar and molasses together.
3. Add dry ingredients.
4. Add fruit and breadcrumbs.
5. Spoon into greased pudding mold or molds. Cover with greased brown paper.
6. Steam 2 hours for small molds; 3 hours for large.
7. This pudding can be made ahead and stored, but is equally good made the day it is served. Resteam before serving or microwave. Serve with hard sauce or brown sugar sauce.