United Kingdom / Dessert
Figgy Pudding
The history of figgy pudding dates back to 16th century England. The ancestor of figgy pudding (and plum pudding) is a medieval spiced porridge known as Frumenty. Today, the term figgy pudding is known mainly because of a popular Christmas carol. The carolers singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" mention it numerous times throughout the song. Currently figgy pudding is not very popular but is thought about during the holiday season. It is a British-style pudding, or dessert, resembling something like a white Christmas pudding. The pudding may be baked, steamed in the oven, boiled, or fried.
Ingredients
- butter1/2 cup
- vegetable shortening1/2 cup
- granulated sugar1 cup
- egg yolks, large3
- milk1 cup
- rum extract, or flavored extract of your choice2 tbsp
- apples, peeled, cored, finely chopped2
- figs, dried; ground or finely chopped2 lb
- lemon zest and orange zest, grated peel of 1 lemon and 1 orange
- nuts, chopped1 cup
- ground cinnamon1/2 tsp
- ground clove1/4 tsp
- ground ginger1/4 tsp
- breadcrumbs, dried1 1/2 cup
- baking powder2 tsp
- egg white, large; stiffly whipped3
- bacon, finely crushed; optional; New England variant1 strip
- hard sauce, for drizzling1 tsp
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 6 steps
Preheat oven to 325 °F. Generously grease an oven-proof 2-quart bowl or mold; set aside.
Cream together butter and shortening.
Gradually add sugar, egg yolks, milk, extract, apple, figs, lemon and orange peel.
Add next 6 ingredients, mixing well. Fold whipped egg whites into mixture.
Pour into prepared bowl or mold, place into large shallow pan, and place on middle rack in oven.
Fill the shallow pan half-full with boiling water, and slowly steam pudding in oven at 325 °F for 4 hours, replacing water as needed.
