Pudina

I saw this recipe being made on SBS Food Safari. It came from a series based on Malta, and this recipe took my eye. It was served in small squares, and looked very much like a Christmas cake. I have not made this yet, but will be making it very soon.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 16-20

Ingredients

• 1  loaf  bread, day-old
• 375  g sugar
• 2  tablespoons  custard powder
• 2  tablespoons cornflour
• 4  tablespoons  cocoa
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 500  g  mixed dried fruit
• 250  g  almonds
• 250  g  glace cherries, halved
•  vanilla
• 4  tablespoons  whiskey or 4  tablespoons brandy or 4  tablespoons sherry wine

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Tear bread into small pieces and soak in cold water for 15 minutes until soft.
3. Place bread in a colander and mash, draining liquid.
4. Transfer to a large bowl and add sugar, custard powder, cornflour and cocoa.
5. Stir in beaten eggs and mix well.
6. Add dried fruit and half of the almonds and glacé cherries. Add vanilla and whiskey.
7. Pour into a baking dish or slab tin and decorate with remaining cherries and almonds.
8. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour (check puddina by piercing with a toothpick - the toothpick should be dry when you remove it).
9. Cut into squares and serve warm or cold.