Figgy Pudding

Figgy Pudding

Pudding:

· 1 ½ cups prunes (or figs)

· 1 cup raisins

· ½ cup water

· ½ cup Grand Marnier

· 1/3 cup Cognac

· 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

· 1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder

· 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

· 1 teaspoon ginger

· ½ teaspoon nutmeg

· ¼ teaspoon cloves

· ¼ teaspoon salt

· 3 eggs

· 1 cup dark brown sugar

· 2 tablespoons molasses

· 2 cups fresh white bread crumbs

· ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

Lemon glaze:

· Zest and juice of 1 small lemon

· 4 tablespoons granulated sugar

· 6 tablespoons powdered sugar

· Hot water, if needed

Tools Needed:

· Bundt Pan

· Large Stock Pot (such as a lobster pot or canning pot) that will hold the bundt pan

· Foil

Grease the bundt pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray.

In a saucepan, combine the prunes, raisins and water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer just until the water is almost evaporated, being carefully not to let it boil dry and burn the fruit. Add the Grand Marnier and Cognac and bring back to a boil. Remove pan from the heat, and carefully (in an open space) light the liquid on fire; let the flames burn out.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar and molasses until smooth. Using a spatula, stir in the bread crumbs, melted butter, vanilla and fig/raisin/alcohol mixture. Stir in the dry ingredients until moistened.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and seal the pan tightly with aluminum foil. Set the pan into the stock pot and fill the pot with enough hot water to come one-half to two-thirds of the way up the sides of the baking pan. Set the pot on the stove; bring the water to a boil, then cover the pot tightly with foil and the lid.

Reduce the heat to medium low so that the water simmers gently, and steam the pudding for 1 1/2 hours; if the water gets too low, add more hot water. To check if the pudding is done, carefully remove the foil, wearing oven mitts to protect your hands from steam; insert a skewer into the center of the pudding – it should come out clean.

To remove the pudding from the pot, use rubber oven mitts to carefully grasp the pan and lift it out of the water. Cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack, then invert onto a serving plate.

To make the lemon glaze, combine the lemon zest, juice and granulated sugar in a small sauce pan. Over medium/medium-low heat, bring to a boil, swirling occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Keep the saucepan on the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar until smooth. The glaze will begin to crust as soon as you remove it from the heat, so work quickly; if it’s too thick, add a few drops of hot water. Immediately pour the glaze over the hot cake; glaze will set in about 5 minutes. If you like, dust with powdered sugar, sprigs of rosemary and cranberries.

Serve pudding warm, with softly whipped cream or ice cream.

Recipe adapted from Dorie Greenspan