Figgy Pudding

Steamed Pudding dates back to the early 16th Century. It is a pudding made of fruit and nuts and is steamed in a molded pan that gives shape to its presentation. It is sliced like cake and served warm with whipped cream, ice cream or a warm glaze.

The key to steamed pudding is that the batter goes into a molded pan with a tight cover in place. Then it is placed in a pan of water and steamed. You need a cover or the water from the steam will combine with the batter and ruin it. Molded pans come with locking lids, if not you can seal them with tin foil.

We normally make my Grandmother’s Date Steamed pudding with real suet as in the original recipe. Planning for less attendees of our Thanksgiving this year, we opted to eliminate a few foods. The night before during preparation, I decided that I missed having Grammy’s Steamed Pudding but it was too late to phone Mom and ask that it be added. Wondering if there were a quick easy alternative, I checked in my old Betty Crocker cookbook and there was a recipe for Figgy Pudding.

It was much easier than I thought it would be and it came out delicious.

You need a steamed pudding pan. Here is a photo of mine.

Betty Crocker’s Figgy Pudding.

• 1 cup Boiling water
• 1 cup dried snipped figs
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 egg

Pour boiling water on figs; stir in the shortening. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and nuts in 2 quart bowl. Stir in fig mixture and egg. Pour into well-greased 6 cup mold. Lock down cover or if no cover, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Place mold on a rack in a Dutch oven or steamer. Pour boiling water into Dutch over or steamer halfway up mold. Cover. Keep water boiling over low heat for 2 hours.

Remove mold and let stand 5 minutes. Serve warm.

If you want to see photos of Steamed Pudding Molds, here is a google link for images. Click here.

Recipes for steamed puddings include Plum, Pudding, Date nut Pudding, Cranberry nut Pudding and nso many more. You can google steamed pudding to find a vast amount of recipes.

I hope you try it.