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.