1 1/2 cup mixed dried fruits(such as currants, golden raisins, Black raisins) 1 cup dates, finely chopped 1 cup milk 1/4 cup brown sugar 25g butter 1tsp mixed spice 1tsp vanilla essence 1/3 cup brandy 1 cup self raising flour or (1 cup plain flour with 1 1/2 tsp baking powder) 1 tsp bicarbonate soda(baking soda)
Custard sauce to serve (please see the recipe on MISC section) Greased six ovenproof dishes about 3/4 cup capacity or medium size ovenproof dish. Place on a oven tray. place mixed fruit, dates,milk,sugar,butter,spice,vanilla essence and brandy in a saucepan. Stir over a low heat, without boiling, until sugar is dissolved. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove. Add combined sifted flour and bicarbonate of soda and mix well. Divide mixture among prepared dishes. Cover tightly with greased foil. Cook in a moderately slow oven (320F) for about 1 hour or until cook when it tested. Stand pudding for 10 minutes before turning out onto serving plates. This pudding can make 2 to 3 days before Christmas. To reheat put on a oven tray cover with foil and cook about 30 minutes (300F) or put in a microwave oven about one minute each servings. Serve pudding with warm or cold custard sauce.
