"Oh bring us a figgy pudding, and a cup of good cheer."
Original Figgy Pudding is a steamed dessert that resembles more a very firm mousse than anything. although you can steam this dessert in its' classic preparation, not many have the tools to do so. The ONLY other method of preparation that closely resembles the original intent of this English pudding is through the crock pot. Honestly! It comes out to an almost cake-like consistency while having that pudding-like texture. Its hard to put it into words but I think this variation is light, fluffy and packed with flavor and the almost melt-in-your-mouth body is superior to that of any other Figgy Pudding recipe you can find.
Originally, this classic added figs, breadcrumbs, pepper, almonds or walnuts, dates, raisins and a Hard Sauce. Dark rum was often added, as well, as you can add here if you like. Simply add 1/2 cup dark rum or 2 teaspoons rum extract.
1 cup milk
1 cup apple jelly*
1 cup dried figs, dates or plums(prunes), pitted and minced
1/2 cup dried cranberries, craisins or raisins
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 1/4 cup flour
1 cup fresh bread crumbs, rye, white, wheat
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 apple, peeled, cored, chopped fine
Red Currant Hard Sauce, recipe below
In a medium saucepan, add the milk, figs, cranberries and butter. Place over low heat. When it starts to simmer, let the figs and cranberries cook for 10-12 minutes, or until they are softened, mixing occasionally. Remove from heat to cool 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remainder of ingredients(except Hard Sauce) until thoroughly mixed. Add the milk mixture and stir to combine. If there are lumps, that is perfectly fine.
Preheat crock pot on medium heat. Transfer the Figgy Pudding to crock pot, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 1/2-2 hours, or until cake bounces back when touched on top. Serve with ed Currant Hard Sauce poured over the top of each serving. The Hard Sauce will thin out and "melt" over the warm Figgy Pudding..
Red Currant Hard Sauce
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup red currant jam, jelly or preserves
With a hand mixer or tabletop mixer, beat the butter on high for 1 minutes, or until it is very creamy and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and beat in a half cup of powdered sugar. Keep adding powdered sugar until it resembles peanut butter. Beat in the orange juice to thin out to the consistency of whipped cream. Hand fold the red currant jam so that it is streaked throughout. Use your favorite jam or preserves here as well or substitute real dark rum or rum extract to stay with tradition.
* or 1/2 cup molasses
Original Figgy Pudding is a steamed dessert that resembles more a very firm mousse than anything. although you can steam this dessert in its' classic preparation, not many have the tools to do so. The ONLY other method of preparation that closely resembles the original intent of this English pudding is through the crock pot. Honestly! It comes out to an almost cake-like consistency while having that pudding-like texture. Its hard to put it into words but I think this variation is light, fluffy and packed with flavor and the almost melt-in-your-mouth body is superior to that of any other Figgy Pudding recipe you can find.
1 cup milk
1 cup apple jelly*
1 cup dried figs, dates or plums(prunes), pitted and minced
1/2 cup dried cranberries, craisins or raisins
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 1/4 cup flour
1 cup fresh bread crumbs, rye, white, wheat
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 apple, peeled, cored, chopped fine
Red Currant Hard Sauce, recipe below
In a medium saucepan, add the milk, figs, cranberries and butter. Place over low heat. When it starts to simmer, let the figs and cranberries cook for 10-12 minutes, or until they are softened, mixing occasionally. Remove from heat to cool 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remainder of ingredients(except Hard Sauce) until thoroughly mixed. Add the milk mixture and stir to combine. If there are lumps, that is perfectly fine.
Preheat crock pot on medium heat. Transfer the Figgy Pudding to crock pot, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 1/2-2 hours, or until cake bounces back when touched on top. Serve with ed Currant Hard Sauce poured over the top of each serving. The Hard Sauce will thin out and "melt" over the warm Figgy Pudding..
Red Currant Hard Sauce
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1-1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup red currant jam, jelly or preserves
With a hand mixer or tabletop mixer, beat the butter on high for 1 minutes, or until it is very creamy and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and beat in a half cup of powdered sugar. Keep adding powdered sugar until it resembles peanut butter. Beat in the orange juice to thin out to the consistency of whipped cream. Hand fold the red currant jam so that it is streaked throughout. Use your favorite jam or preserves here as well or substitute real dark rum or rum extract to stay with tradition.
* or 1/2 cup molasses
2 comments:
There is no OJ mentioned in the red currant hard sauce recipe ingredient list.
I did not add liquid to the hard sauce because it would be too thin for my liking. Plus classic hard sauce did not contain orange juice. IF you would like thinner hard sauce, add it a little at a time. But to stay true to an early recipe, thin with rum, flavored brandy or brandy(also called Brandy butter)
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