Plum Duff

This recipe comes from Jillian Hanlon

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Yields: 1 pudding

Ingredients

• 2  cups flour
• 1  cup  white breadcrumb, pressed down firmly
• 1  cup brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon mixed spice, heaping
• 1 1⁄2 cups  sultanas and currants
• 2  tablespoons golden syrup
• 125  g  melted butter
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 cup milk, to mix
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
•  essence of 1 lemons or   the rind of a lemon, grated

Directions

1. Mix all dry ingredients except baking soda and make a well in the middle.
2. Add golden syrup and melted butter.
3. Dissolve baking soda in milk, add lemon rind or essence and mix together.
4. Scald a pudding cloth and flour generously.
5. To do this you will need a piece of calico or a cotton tea towel at least 65cm in diameter.
6. Scald the cloth in boiling water then wring out and lay cloth out on a flat surface.
7. Sprinkle both sides lightly with flour.
8. Place the cloth over a large bowl and push it into the bowl from the center to form a lining.
9. Or you can use a greased pudding basin.
10. Add mixture, then tie up the cloth but not too tightly.
11. Have a pot of water boiling and place a plate, such as a saucer, upended in the bottom to keep the pudding off the base of the pot and add the pudding.
12. Boil for 3 hours.
13. The flour on the cloth should give pudding a lovely thick skin.
14. This plum duff is delicious with custard or cream.