Plum Duff

• flour↗2 cups
• white breadcrumb↗1 cup

  pressed down firmly

• brown sugar↗1 cup
• mixed spice1 teaspoon

  heaping

• sultanas and currants1 1⁄2 cups
• golden syrup↗2 tablespoons
• butter125 g
• baking soda↗1 teaspoon
• milk↗1⁄2 cup

  to mix

• baking powder↗2 teaspoons
• essence of 1 lemons or the rind of a lemon, grated↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Mix all dry ingredients except baking soda and make a well in the middle.

2. 2

   Add golden syrup and melted butter.

3. 3

   Dissolve baking soda in milk, add lemon rind or essence and mix together.

4. 4

   Scald a pudding cloth and flour generously.

5. 5

   To do this you will need a piece of calico or a cotton tea towel at least 65cm in diameter.

6. 6

   Scald the cloth in boiling water then wring out and lay cloth out on a flat surface.

7. 7

   Sprinkle both sides lightly with flour.

8. 8

   Place the cloth over a large bowl and push it into the bowl from the center to form a lining.

9. 9

   Or you can use a greased pudding basin.

10. 10

    Add mixture, then tie up the cloth but not too tightly.

11. 11

    Have a pot of water boiling and place a plate, such as a saucer, upended in the bottom to keep the pudding off the base of the pot and add the pudding.

12. 12

    Boil for 3 hours.

13. 13

    The flour on the cloth should give pudding a lovely thick skin.

14. 14

    This plum duff is delicious with custard or cream.