Now here’s a treat that proves names can be deceiving! Meet “Spotted Dick” – a subtly sweet and utterly scrumptious British dessert bread that’s bound to become a family favorite. Don’t let the name fool you; this dessert is all about savoring moments of pure delight.
The quirky moniker comes from its ingredients – the dried currants that create those charming “spots” throughout the pudding, and a playful nod to its historical predecessor, puddick. Now, across the pond, “pudding” might summon visions of creamy custards, but in the UK, it’s a delightful class of desserts, often crafted through the magic of boiling or steaming. And that’s precisely the sort of delightful creation you’ll be crafting when you whip up a batch of spotted dick.
So, gather your ingredients and let’s dive into the heartwarming world of homemade spotted dick – a dessert that’s sure to become a cherished family tradition!
How To Make Spotted Dick
Ingredients
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 140g shredded suet, you can also use 10 tablespoons chilled butter, diced
- 80g caster sugar
- 180g dried currants
- 150ml whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
- Zest of 1 small orange, finely grated
- Custard, for serving
Instructions
1. Prepare the steaming equipment
In a large pot, place a heatproof plate or a steaming rack at the bottom, and add enough water to come just below the plate/rack. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the plate/rack.
2. Mix dry ingredients
Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and shredded suet (or butter) in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add currants and citrus zest
Stir in the dried currants, finely grated lemon zest, and finely grated small orange zest. Make sure these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
4. Combine wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the whole milk and vanilla extract. Mix well to ensure the vanilla extract is evenly distributed in the milk.
5. Create dough
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture while stirring. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to bring the dough together. It should come together into a slightly sticky, yet manageable dough.
6. Prepare the pudding mold
Grease the interior of a 1.6-liter pudding mold with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
7. Fill the mold
Press the dough into the prepared pudding mold, making sure to pack it in tightly to eliminate air pockets.
8. Cover and steam
Cover the pudding mold with tightly fitted aluminum foil. Lower the mold into the large pot and bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Once the water is simmering, lower the heat to maintain a steady simmer for 90 minutes. Top up the pot with water as needed.
9. Check for doneness
To check if the pudding is done, insert a toothpick or a skewer into the center. It should come out clean when the pudding is fully cooked.
10. Serve
Once the spotted dick is cooked, carefully remove it from the steamer or pot. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a large plate.
11. Serve with custard
Traditionally, spotted dick is served with custard. Pour warm custard over the sliced pudding before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Spotted Dick dessert with its classic flavors and comforting appeal!
Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
British steamed pudding is a type of dessert made by steaming a mixture of ingredients, usually including flour, sugar, and sometimes fruits or other flavorings. It results in a moist and dense texture, often served warm.
Suet pudding is made with suet, which is the raw, hard fat found around the kidneys of cattle or sheep. It’s mixed with flour, sugar, and other ingredients to create a dough that is then steamed or boiled to make a pudding.
Spotted Dick is traditionally served warm and accompanied by custard, a smooth sauce made from milk, sugar, and egg yolks. The custard adds a rich and creamy contrast to the slightly sweet and steamed Spotted Dick pudding.
Spotted Dick
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 140 g shredded suet you can also use 10 tablespoons chilled butter, diced
- 80 g caster sugar
- 180 g dried currents
- 150 ml whole milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 zest lemon finely grated
- 1 zest small orange finely grated
- Custard for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the steaming equipment:In a large pot, place a heatproof plate or a steaming rack at the bottom, and add enough water to come just below the plate/rack. Make sure the water doesn't touch the plate/rack.
- Mix dry ingredients:Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and suet (or butter) in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add currants and citrus zest:Stir in the dried currants, finely grated lemon zest, and finely grated small orange zest. Make sure these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Combine wet ingredients:In a separate bowl, combine the whole milk and vanilla extract. Mix well to ensure the vanilla extract is evenly distributed in the milk.
- Create dough:Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture while stirring. Use a wooden spoon or your hands to bring the dough together. It should come together into a slightly sticky, yet manageable dough.
- Prepare the pudding mold:Grease the interior of a 1.6-liter pudding mold with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Fill the mold:Press the dough into the prepared pudding mold, making sure to pack it in tightly to eliminate air pockets.
- Cover and steam:Cover the pudding mold with tightly fitted aluminum foil. Lower the mold into the large pot and bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Once the water is simmering, lower the heat to maintain a steady simmer for 90 minutes. Top up the pot with water as needed.
- Check for doneness:To check if the pudding is done, insert a toothpick or a skewer into the center. It should come out clean when the pudding is fully cooked.
- Serve:Once the spotted dick is cooked, carefully remove it from the steamer or pot. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a large plate.
- Serve with custard:Traditionally, spotted dick is served with custard. Pour warm custard over the sliced pudding before serving.
